Youth Justice Worker - SERT (Cherry Creek)

Justice; Melbourne, Malmsbury; On-site; AUD 79,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Job stability

Salary and benefits

Generous leave

Professional development

Job summary

Justice is seeking a Safety and Emergency Response Team member to respond to critical incidents in youth justice custodial settings in Victoria, including Parkville, Cherry Creek and Malmsbury. The role focuses on engagement, de‑escalation and risk mitigation to support positive outcomes for young people.

The position offers full-time VPS employment with a competitive salary ($79,122 - $90,989) plus super, with eligibility for WWCC, a current driver’s licence, and ongoing training.

Qualifications

• SERT training completed (induction and refresher).
• Understanding of the legislative framework surrounding use of force.
• Experience in custodial environment operations.

Responsibilities

• Respond to critical incidents and emergencies.
• Engage with young people to promote positive behaviour.
• Maintain risk assessment and liaison with control room operations.

Skills

SERT training

Legislation knowledge

Custodial environment experience

Driving licence

Job description

Respond to critical and emergency incidents as part of the safety and emergency response team (SERT). Engage young people in change by equipping them with the skills required for positive community participation, within a safe and secure environment. Contribute to improving the outcomes of young people's futures. The Department of Justice and Community Safety (Youth Justice) is responsible for the statutory supervision of young people in the criminal justice system in Victoria focussing on prevention, diversion, and early intervention as the most effective and fiscally responsible ways of reducing youth crime. Youth Justice is committed to the demonstration of the departmental values at all times; serve the community, work together, act with integrity, respect other people and make it happen.

Youth justice custodial centres accommodate young people aged 12-18 years who have been remanded or sentenced by the Criminal Division of the Children's Court, and some 18-21 year olds sentenced by Adult Courts to a youth justice custodial centre. The Youth Justice custodial precincts in Victoria are managed by the Department of Justice and Community Safety: Parkville Youth Justice Precinct is in the inner northern Melbourne suburb of Parkville, approximately five kilometres from the central business district. Cherry Creek Youth Justice Precinct (CCYJP) located to the west of Werribee. Malmsbury Youth Justice Precinct located approximately 100 kilometers north of Melbourne.

The Safety and Emergency Response Team (SERT) operates under a Tier 1 (engagement team) and Tier 2 (response team) approach that emphasises relational security as a key component of the role through routine non-incident related contact with both young people and unit staff. This approach also aims to build a strong foundation for SERT and unit staff to work effectively together to prevent, de-escalate, resolve incidents and mitigate risk. The opportunity ongoing, full-time position based in Cherry Creek. YJW2 role: $79,122 - $90,989 per year plus super.

Participate in the implementation of relevant policies, and guidelines that are established to support the SERT model. Be a visible and supportive presence in the units and proactively encourage young people to behave according to agreed behaviour expectations and plans. Maintain effective partnerships with control room operations and respond to critical incidents and/or young people-related emergencies as well as scan the environment for emerging risks or incidents. Use sound risk assessment frameworks and knowledge gained from formal training and the application and interpretation of precedents, policies and standards to inform decision making.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• To be eligible for this opportunity, applicants must have completed the required SERT training, including both induction and refresher training.
• Understanding of the legislative framework surrounding the use of force and ability to apply this legislation in an operational environment.
• Experience in, or knowledge of, the operational conditions of the custodial environment.
• A current driver's licence.
• You will be required to obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC) to be maintained by the employee for the period of employment.

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

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.

• 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.

Applications close 11.59pm, Monday 9th November 2026.

If you have any queries, please contact: For Parkville, Ely Lee on 0448 172 978 or [e-mail] (Parkville) For Cherry Creek, Sarah Devine on 0408 024 273 or [e-mail] (Cherry Creek) For Malmsbury, Nkem Okafor on 0488 923 773 or [e-mail] (Malmsbury).

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants are welcome to utilise support from the Aboriginal Recruitment Team throughout the recruitment process. Aboriginal candidates are encouraged to contact [e-mail] if they would like cultural support and guidance through the application process. 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.

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.