Youth Justice Caseworker, Specialist Support Unit, Youth Justice

NSW Department of Communities and Justice; Parramatta; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work environment

Training and development opportunities

Health & wellbeing programs

Job summary

NSW Department of Communities and Justice is seeking a Youth Justice Caseworker for the Specialist Support Unit in Parramatta. The role focuses on young people at risk of extreme violence, including those involved in mass violence or hate-fuelled acts, with ongoing training provided.

The position requires complex case management experience, stakeholder engagement and the ability to work across custody and community settings. A driver license and valid checks are essential.

Qualifications

• Recognised tertiary qualifications (diploma or higher) in social work, welfare, psychology, criminology, education or related field or relevant experience.
• Current NSW Working with Children Check clearance for paid employment; ability to obtain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Screen, refer, engage, assess and manage cases of young people at risk of extreme violence.
• Develop and maintain networks with multidisciplinary staff, stakeholders and families to support service delivery.
• Provide staff consultation, support and training across Youth Justice NSW and external agencies.

Skills

Drivers Licence

Working with Children Check

Security clearance eligibility

Education

Tertiary qualifications in social work/welfare/psychology/criminology/education

Job description

Youth Justice Caseworker – Specialist Support Unit Youth Justice Temporary Full-Time up to October 2027 Location: Parramatta Clerk Grade 6/7 Salary ($110,345 – 120,478 pa), plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

This is a targeted recruitment. While all applicants are welcome, preference will be given to candidates who meet the established standards of the role and are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait islander descent. This is because the Department acknowledges this lived experience contributes a perspective valuable to our work with this community.

Your role This represents an exciting opportunity to develop skills and knowledge working with young people that pose extreme violence risks. This includes young people at risk of engaging in extreme religious, extreme political, extreme ideological, targeted, hate or grievance‑fuelled violence. In addition, the Specialist Support Unit also works with young people that are at risk of large scale or mass violence, public or communal violence, gang violence, and other forms of extreme violence that may impact public safety. The role requires experience in stakeholder engagement and complex case management of young people both in custody and the community. Ongoing training and supervision will be provided.

What you’ll do

The Specialist Support Unit is responsible for working directly with young people at‑risk of engaging in extreme violence. The role is also responsible for providing staff consultation, support, and training across Youth Justice NSW and relevant external stakeholders within government and non‑government agencies. The Specialist Support Unit Caseworker is responsible for collaborating in the screening, referral, engagement, assessment, and case management of young people at risk of extreme violence. This includes conducting assessments, as well as contributing to the implementation of case management and intervention plans to address vulnerabilities and risk factors for various forms of extreme violence. The role requires you to develop and maintain networks and relationships with multidisciplinary staff, key stakeholders, and families in order to support the delivery of effective services.

What we’re looking for

• Recognised tertiary qualifications (diploma or higher) in social work, welfare, psychology, criminology, education or related field or relevant experience.


• A current Driver’s Licence


• Current NSW Working with Children Check clearance for paid employment.


• Ability to obtain security clearance

In addition to meeting the essential requirements, the successful candidate must demonstrate:

• Experience in complex case management with youth.


• Passion and motivation in wanting to help complex young people turn their lives around.


• Strong record keeping skills, adaptability, and motivation to participate in continuous professional development and learning to increase knowledge and evidence‑based practice in regard to working young people at risk of extreme violence.


• The capacity to represent the organisation in an honest, ethical, and professional way.


• The ability to tailor communication to multidisciplinary and multi‑agency audiences.


• An understanding of customer perspectives and be responsive to their needs.


• Skills in applying computer applications that enable performance of more complex tasks.


• The ability to work independently.

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.

Applications close Friday, 30th October 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 Dr Steve Barracosa 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 Olivia Alipalo on 0477 323 408 or via [e-mail] Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups. To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

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 and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit Careers for Aboriginal people. Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application. To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/

The Welcome Experience

Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience The careers site currently promotes this service on the ‘Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW’ page.