Assistant Public Guardian - Operations - Aboriginal Targeted

NSW Department of Communities and Justice; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 154,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

12% Superannuation

Annual leave loading

Job summary

NSW Trustee and Guardian in Sydney seeks a seasoned senior leader for the Assistant Public Guardian – Operations (Aboriginal Targeted). You will guide operations, develop teams, manage budgets and ensure compliant, high‑quality guardianship services across the state while promoting cultural safety and strong stakeholder collaboration.

This role requires strategic vision, integrity and the ability to balance competing priorities in a complex human services environment, with a focus on outcomes

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience leading and managing teams in a complex service delivery environment.
• Ability to solve complex human service issues and make sound decisions in sensitive or high-risk matters.
• Sound understanding of guardianship practice, advocacy and services accessed by vulnerable people.
• Experience driving quality assurance, continuous improvement and consistent practice standards.
• Highly developed communication, stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, resources and projects to deliver outcomes within agreed timeframes.

Skills

Leadership

Decision making

Guardianship

Quality assurance

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Time management

Travel flexibility

Education

Degree in social work/health/law or related discipline

Job description

Assistant Public Guardian - Operations - Aboriginal Targeted

Department: Operations

Department/Agency: NSW Trustee and Guardian

Location: Sydney, NSW, AU, 2000

Assistant Public Guardian – Operations – Aboriginal Targeted

• Ongoing full-time vacancy. 35 hours per week.
• Location: Sydney CBD. Flexible and hybrid working options available.
• Clerk Grade: Level 11/12. Base salary $154,231p.a. to $178,369 p.a. plus 12% superannuation and annual leave loading.
• Be part of a culturally safe workplace that respects and celebrates Aboriginal identity, values, and traditions.

Whilst this position is open to all individuals, this is a targeted role and we strongly encourage and support applications from people who are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent.

About us

At NSW Trustee and Guardian our purpose is to support the rights, welfare, and interests of the people of NSW. The agency supports the NSW Trustee, the Public Guardian and the Commissioner of Dormant Funds to carry out their statutory functions. We do this by providing a range of customer-centred services, including Will-making, trustee, financial management and guardianship services, including some for the state’s most vulnerable people.

We support over 50,000 customers annually and manage almost seven billion dollars in customer assets. A NSW government agency within the Communities and Justice Portfolio, our services help support and protect people at critical moments in their lives.

Our commitment to diversity

Our workplace reflects the diverse community we serve. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. This includes women, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, the LGBTQIA+ community and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

About the team

The Public Guardian can be appointed by a court or tribunal to make health and lifestyle decisions for people who are unable to on their own, or with support. These include decisions such as where a person might live, their medical and dental treatment, health care, and other services. It also provides information and support to private and enduring guardians, serviceprovidersand the wider community.

• Service Delivery operational teams provide our core guardianship service across the state.
• Practice and Strategy teams provide systemic advocacy, stakeholder engagement and support both customers and employees in their practice of guardianship.
• Establishment and Quality Assurance teams provide responsive onboarding for new guardianship matters.

About the role

As Assistant Public Guardian – Operations, you will provide senior leadership and strategic direction across Public Guardian operations to support the delivery of high-quality, consistent and customer-focused guardianship services.

You will lead and develop teams, manage operational priorities, oversee staffing and budget resources, and ensure services are delivered in line with legislation, policy, practice standards and organisational objectives. The role also provides high-level advice to the Public Guardian and senior leaders on complex, sensitive and contentious guardianship matters, while driving quality assurance, continuous improvement, service modernisation and strong stakeholder collaboration.

This is a key leadership role for someone who can balance strategic priorities with operational delivery, support staff through complex human service matters, and contribute to improved outcomes for some of the most vulnerable people in NSW.

We are looking for an experienced senior leader with strong judgement, integrity and a commitment to delivering quality public services. You will bring experience leading multidisciplinary or dispersed teams in a complex human service, legal, health, disability, advocacy or related environment.

You will have the ability to manage sensitive and complex matters, provide clear and practical advice to senior stakeholders, and support teams to deliver consistent, ethical and customer-focused services. You will be confident working with legislation, policies and practice standards, and able to identify opportunities to improve systems, processes and service outcomes.

Requirements

• demonstrated experience leading and managing teams in a complex service delivery environment
• the ability to solve complex human service issues and make sound decisions in sensitive or high-risk matters
• sound understanding of guardianship practice, advocacy and services accessed by vulnerable people
• experience driving quality assurance, continuous improvement and consistent practice standards
• highly developed communication, stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• the ability to manage competing priorities, resources and projects to deliver outcomes within agreed timeframes
• a degree and/or significant equivalent experience in social work, health, behavioural sciences, law or a related discipline
• the ability to travel throughout NSW and undertake after-hours responsibilities to provide support and delegated decision-making on a rotational basis.

What we offer

NSW Trustee and Guardian offers interesting, challenging and rewarding work that has real purpose. Other benefits of joining us include:

• work-life balance with flexible work options (working from different work locations, variable start/finish times, job sharing)
• various leave options (recreation, parental, and flex leave of up to 24 days per year)
• career development including study leave and acting opportunities
• access to Fitness Passport and employee assistance program, and annual flu vaccinations

Eligibility

To be eligible for ongoing employment in NSW Trustee and Guardian, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or an Australian permanent resident.

Aboriginal Candidate support

Our Aboriginal Advocacy Officer, Calita Murray is available to provide support throughout the recruitment process. Please contact us at [e-mail] if you have any questions or would like assistance.

This is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander targeted recruitment under Rule 26 of the Government Sector Employment (General) Rules 2014 – Employment of eligible persons. Preference will be given to candidates who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. If no suitable candidate is identified, other applications may be considered.

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