The aim of Youth Justice Services is to work with young people who offend and their families to create safer homes and communities.
Youth Justice Officers contribute to community safety by making a positive difference to the lives of young people who offend. You'll be working from community-based centres, Banksia Hill Detention Centre and the courts.
The role
The role of a Youth Justice Officer is challenging, complex and can be confronting. Young people who come into contact with the justice system often present with complex needs and special requirements. At times it can be difficult to help young people make positive changes that will assist them to stop offending. You will need to have the ability to engage with difficult young people and their families in a community, custodial and home environment in a culturally appropriate manner.
Your persistence, life experience, knowledge and skills dealing with young people will assist you in this role.
Youth Justice Officers supervise young people in the community who are involved in the justice system. You will be required to meet with the young person regularly to help them adopt law-abiding lifestyles and to comply with court and supervised release orders.
The Youth Justice Officer role undertakes risk/needs assessments, provides advice and reports to the Courts and releasing authorities, based on your assessment and analysis of the young person’s offending behaviour.
Managing young people will require you to use appropriate counselling, develop intervention plans and work together with other government and non-government services and treatment programs. You will need to be focused on the young person and assist them and their family to engage with the Courts and treatment programs.
The benefits
Show moreOur Youth Justice Officers enjoy a range of great benefits including:
- employment security
- flexible working conditions
- generous leave entitlements including:
- 4 weeks annual leave plus 17.5% leave loading
- personal leave
- parental leave (paid and unpaid)
- study leave
- long service leave after 7 years
- purchased leave
- competitive base-grade salary: $78,452 - $82,797 per annum plus superannuation
- regional incentives (depending on the location)
- career development opportunities.
Recruitment and selection process
Show moreThe Department of Justice recruits for Youth Justice Officers on an ‘as-needed’ basis. If you wish to be contacted when the Department is recruiting again, please enter your details on the Youth Justice Officer registry.
The selection process typically incorporates the following assessments:
- written application
- selection panel interview
- criminal history and integrity screening (this is undertaken by the Department - applicants are not required to obtain a police clearance)
- reference checks
- any other assessments or checks noted in the job advertisement.
Eligibility
Show moreTo be eligible for permanent appointment as a Youth Justice Officer, you'll need to be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen. You must also have a current Working with Children Check (WWC) or be able to successfully apply for one to be eligible for appointment as a Youth Justice Officer.
At the time of an application, please also refer to the relevant job advertisement for any further eligibility requirements at the time.
Training
Show moreIf you are offered a position you must be prepared to travel to the Department's Training Academy located in Bentley in the Perth metropolitan area, to attend training on a regular basis. Trainees from regional work locations will not be required to pay for travel or accommodation during this mandatory training at the Bentley Academy.
The Correctional Officers Foundation Program (COFP) is a full-time course. It incorporates 9 months of mixed periods of off-the-job at the Academy and on-the-job training at your centre.
Written and practical assessments are conducted during this period. This training is linked to the nationally accredited qualification CSC30115 Certificate III in Correctional Practice (Community). This certificate is a mandatory requirement to work as a Youth Justice Officer.