Senior Operational Policy Officer

Justice; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 116,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Job stability

Competitive salary and superannuation

Generous leave entitlements

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Department of Justice and Community Safety’s Youth Justice unit in Melbourne is seeking a VPS5 Policy Officer on an ongoing, full-time basis. The role focuses on developing and maintaining operational policies, ensuring they are evidence-based and practically applicable for staff across community and custodial operations.

The successful candidate will interpret legislation, assess compliance with human rights standards, and work with stakeholders to translate complex requirements into clear

Qualifications

• Experience developing, reviewing or implementing policy in a complex operational environment.
• Ability to interpret legislation and translate into clear policy guidance.
• Experience contributing to charter assessments or human rights analyses is desirable.
• Strong written communication and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Support development, review and maintenance of operational policies and procedures
• Ensure guidance is evidence-based, practical and aligned with Youth Justice operations
• Support implementation of Youth Justice legislation, policy and reforms
• Conduct research to inform policies using evidence, data and best practice
• Collaborate with staff, subject matter experts and stakeholders to develop compliant guidance

Skills

Policy development

Legal interpretation

Research & analysis

Written communication

Education

Tertiary qualification in law/public policy/criminology or related discipline

Job description

Great opportunity to join Youth Justice on an ongoing basis in Melbourne.Support the development, review and maintenance of operational policies and procedures ensuring they provide contemporary, evidence-based and practical guidance.Support a safe, effective and contemporary Youth Justice practice.The Department of Justice and Community Safety is responsible for the statutory supervision of children and young people in the criminal justice system. Youth Justice provides strategic advice and delivers targeted interventions to address underlying causes of offending behaviour in children and young people, supporting rehabilitation to reduce reoffending and enhance community safety.

The OpportunityOngoing, full time position based in Melbourne with regular travel to the Youth Justice custodial precincts and community officesVPS5 role: $116,413 - $140,849 per year plus superannuation.

Support the development, review and maintenance of operational policies and procedures to ensure they provide contemporary, evidence-based and practical guidance to Youth Justice staff across community and custodial operations.

Support the ongoing implementation of key Youth Justice legislation, policy and reforms.

Help ensure that operational policies and procedures comply with the Youth Justice Act 2024, the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006, Child Safe Standards and other relevant legislation and policy requirements.

Undertake research and analysis to ensure operational policies and procedures are informed by evidence and contemporary best practice.

Work closely with Youth Justice staff, subject matter experts and key stakeholders to develop guidance that is practical, legally sound and responsive to operational needs.

To be successful in this role you will have:

Demonstrated experience developing, reviewing or implementing policy, procedures or practice guidance in a complex operational environment.

Demonstrated ability to interpret legislation, apply legal or administrative requirements to operational contexts, and translate them into clear policy and procedural guidance.

Experience contributing to Charter assessments, human rights analysis or other legal compliance assessments is highly desirable.

Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to draw on evidence, operational insights, legislation and best practice to develop sound policy and procedural advice.

Strong written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, accurate and audience-appropriate policies, procedures, briefs and reports.

A relevant tertiary qualification in law, public policy, criminology, social sciences or a related discipline is also desirable.

You will be required to obtain a Working with Children Check, which you will need to maintain for the period of employment.

A current full driver's license is desirable as travel to other offices within the department may be required.

To learn more about the type of skills you will need to thrive in this role, please read the position description.

If you have any queries, please contact Benjamin Russo on 0438 995 760 or [e-mail]

What's in it for you?

You will be working for the Department of Justice and Community Safety, which is one arm of the Victorian State Government, a recognised top employer of choice nationally. All our staff work to the vision of a safe, just, innovative and thriving Victoria.

There are many advantages in working for the department, including:

Job stability- position as a member of the Victorian Public Service (VPS).

A fair salary-enjoy great work conditions and salary sacrificing options.

Transparent performance framework-approach your work with confidence in how you're tracking, working to professional development plans agreed on by you and your manager.

Generous leave entitlements-provisions for many forms of leave; including personal, parental, carers, study, cultural, compassionate, and sick leave.

Employee Assistance Program support- you are encouraged to use this short-term, confidential counselling service if you're experiencing emotional stress, relationship problems, conflict with others or personal issues. It is also available for financial counselling and retirement planning.Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants are welcome to utilise support from the Aboriginal Recruitment Teamthroughout the recruitment process. Aboriginal candidates are encouraged to [e-mail] they would like cultural support and guidance through the application process.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include national police checks and misconduct screening.

For Aboriginal Designated and Prioritised positions, a Certificate of Aboriginality (CoA) will be required prior to an offer of employment being made

We want to make sure all Victorians feel represented by the department's work.

One of the ways we do this is by recruiting a diverse workforce - we welcome people of any gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability and cultural background.

We are also committed to the Victorian Government's promise to increase the number of veterans working in the public sector.

We're proud of our individual differences.

We're proud of the many languages we speak and the stories we can share with each other.

We hope you will share your story too.

Applications close 11.59pm, Wednesday 4th November 2026.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.