Senior Program Officer

About this role

• Great opportunity to join Youth Justice on an ongoing basis in Melbourne.
• Lead the development and implementation of the new Aboriginal Youth Justice Program in partnership with Aboriginal community agencies and stakeholders
• Support the development and facilitation of a Community of Practice within Aboriginal Youth Justice Programs

 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. As an area within the department, Youth Justice is always committed to the demonstration of the departmental values; serve the community, work together, act with integrity, respect other people and make it happen.

The Aboriginal Youth Justice unit is responsible for the design and development of policy, strategy and program responses for young Aboriginal people in contact with or at risk of contact with the Youth Justice system. Aboriginal Youth Justice contributes to the Aboriginal Justice Agreement, Burra Lotjpa Dunguludja, also known as AJA4.

This is a prioritised role for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, who will be given priority consideration as per the special measures provision of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.

 The Opportunity

• Ongoing, full-time position based in Melbourne.
• VPS Grade 5 role: $113,022 - $136,747 per year plus superannuation.
• Provide insightful policy and program analysis and advice, including the identification of emerging issues, opportunities, risks and trends impacting on the achievement of Aboriginal Youth Justice Programs, initiatives and reforms.
• Research, analyse, and prepare high quality written materials including solutions focussed reports, briefings, papers and presentations on policy and program issues and options for Ministers, departmental executives, and internal and external committees.
• Manage discrete projects, or contribute to larger projects while ensuring quality, resourcing and timeline parameters are met.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Victorian Aboriginal Community, both society and culture and the issues impacting on it.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and work effectively with the Victorian Aboriginal community.
• Knowledge of current policy and program direction, research and issues within youth justice and the criminal justice system more broadly and the needs of young people involved in the criminal justice system.
• Experience in developing, designing and/or implementing high quality program or policy initiatives.
• An appropriate tertiary qualification in public policy, criminology or other social sciences fields will be highly regarded.

 You will be required to obtain a Working with Children Check, which you will need to maintain 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.

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.

If you have any queries, please contact Lia-Marie Duke on 0474 024 351 or via email on lia-marie.duke@justice.vic.gov.au

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 Aboriginalrecruitment@justice.vic.gov.au 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.

If this sounds like a compelling job that you believe your skills would be a great match for, please APPLY NOW. Applications close 11.59pm, 27^th October 2025.

How to apply

Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.

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

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

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.