Aboriginal Senior Project Officer

NSW Department of Communities and Justice; Parramatta; Hybrid; AUD 133,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellbeing

Employee Assistance Programs

Flexible work environment

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

NSW Department of Communities and Justice in Parramatta is seeking an Aboriginal Senior Project Officer to lead programs reducing reoffending among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the correctional system.

You will plan, deliver, and review initiatives to achieve positive outcomes, working closely with communities and partner organisations to provide culturally appropriate support, wellbeing services, education, employment opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience in strategic and innovative project management and proven methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Plan and run projects from start to finish with budgets and reports.
• Build relationships with stakeholders to keep projects on track.
• Collaborate with Aboriginal communities and partners to design programs.
• Monitor risks, measure effectiveness, and ensure benefits.
• Lead and support project team members to meet milestones.
• Research issues and gather evidence to inform planning.
• Provide updates to stakeholders on progress, risks, and timelines.

Skills

Strategic project management

Stakeholder engagement

Travel readiness

Project methodologies

Education

Bachelors in Project Management

Job description

Aboriginal Senior Project Officer Location – Parramatta, Sydney (Hybrid work options). Employment type – Ongoing – Full Time. Salary – Clerk Grade 9/10 - $133,348 - $146,945 per annum, plus superannuation and leave loading. This position is open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only.

Your role The Senior Project Officer leads projects that help reduce reoffending among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the correctional system. They plan, deliver, and review programs and initiatives to make sure they achieve positive outcomes and support Corrective Services NSW’s goals. A key part of the role is working closely with Aboriginal communities and partner organisations to design and deliver support programs. These programs focus on helping people successfully transition back into the community by providing:

• Culturally appropriate support and services
• Wellbeing and health assistance
• Access to training and education
• Employment opportunities
• Case management and practical support to address multiple needs

The role is part of a high-performing team that encourages new ideas, accountability, and continuous improvement. The position also contributes to broader government reforms under the Closing the Gap initiative by:

• Working in partnership with Aboriginal communities to make decisions
• Supporting Aboriginal community-controlled organisations
• Improving the way government services work for Aboriginal people
• Increasing access to local data to help make better decisions and improve outcomes

What you’ll do

• Plan and run projects from start to finish, including creating project plans, coordinating people and resources, managing budgets, tracking progress, and completing reports. Make sure projects are delivered on time, within budget, meet quality standards, and achieve their goals.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders through clear communication, problem-solving, and collaboration to ensure projects stay on track and deliver the expected results.
• Work closely with Aboriginal communities and key partners to design and deliver successful programs that meet community needs.
• Monitor and review projects regularly to identify risks, solve problems, measure effectiveness, and make sure the intended benefits and outcomes are achieved.
• Lead and support project team members, ensuring work is completed to required standards and key milestones are met.
• Research issues and gather evidence to help inform project planning, decision-making, and recommendations.
• Provide advice and updates to stakeholders and management on project progress, risks, challenges, and emerging issues, ensuring projects remain aligned with agreed goals, budgets, timelines, and policies.

What we’re looking for

• Experience in strategic and innovative project management and an excellent understanding of project methodologies, processes and procedures.
• Understanding the issues facing Aboriginal offenders in the criminal justice system and knowledge of the services available from Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal organisations that address their needs.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Project Management or equivalent relevant experience.
• Current NSW Driver’s Licence a nd willingness to travel when performing the duties of the role.

As an Identified role, this position is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons, Australia’s First Nations people, certain ethnicity, age or gender. Where a position is identified, an applicant’s race is a genuine occupational qualification under the exception in Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 . There are two alternatives to confirming your Aboriginality, one of which must be uploaded to be considered for the role as follows. Either will be accepted: Confirmation of Aboriginality form or Written confirmation from 2-3 Aboriginal organisations within the community in which you live/work, which addresses the three criteria listed below:

• is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
• identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
• is accepted as a such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity.

What We Offer

• A challenging and rewarding career
• Flexible, autonomous work environment
• Competitive pay and conditions
• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us. We do work that really matters Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.

Other Information

Other Information A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months. For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website (for all roles except Aboriginal Identified).

Applications close 23rd November 2026 at 11:59pm AEST.

Got a question? For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Crystal Duncan via email - [e-mail].

If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please call Rachel Urquhart Secord on 02 9354 1624 or via email - [e-mail]. Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.