Cultural Liaison Officer

About this role

• Join Victoria's Youth Justice Precinct at Cherry Creek.
• Develop and implement culturally relevant programs and supports for all CALD young people.
• Contribute to improving the outcomes of young people's futures.

Make our community safer by helping children and young people build better futures for themselves at Cherry Creek Youth Justice Precinct.   

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 focusing 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 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 10-18 years who have been remanded or sentenced by the Criminal Division of the Children's Court, and some 18–21-year-old sentenced by Adult Courts to a youth justice custodial centre.

The opportunity 

• Ongoing/Fixed-Term, full-time position based in Melbourne.
• YJW2 role: $79,122 - $90,989 per year plus super.
• Through case management practices, develop and implement culturally relevant support plans for all CALD young people in custody through identifying cultural identity profile, connection to culture and community and psycho-social risk factors that contribute to offending behaviour.
• Advocate and provide support for young people and establish and maintain relationships with primary caregivers and advocate for their inclusion in case planning.
• Develop and maintain effective links with a range of relevant elders, community and professional groups to maximize their input to service development.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Experience working with CALD communities with understanding of the existing and emerging culturally, linguistically and faith diverse communities, including the societal and cultural impacts.
• Knowledge of creating and delivering programs that are appropriate for young people aged between 10-21 years old and undertake evaluative processes for the programs delivered.
• Ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with a broad cross-section of cultures and faith diverse communities.
• Ability to develop thorough cultural assessments and intervention strategies for CALD young people.
• A current Employee Working with Children Check (WWCC) card is required and will need to be provided prior to commencement of employment by the applicant. Currency will need to be maintained by the employee for the period of employment.
• Current full driver's license is required as travel to other offices within the Department may be required.
• A qualification in social work, youth work, community development or related field is desirable.

 

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.

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 Tina McGee on 0409 175 528 or tina.gee@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, October 27^th 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.