Aboriginal Assistant Manager –

Acmena Youth Justice Centre,

Youth Justice

- Ongoing, Full time
- Location: Acmena Youth Justice Centre - Grafton
- Level 6 Salary ($125,500 - $137,098 pa), plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

This position is open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only

Your role The Aboriginal Assistant Manager, Centre is responsible for managing the delivery of client services of the youth justice centre on a day-to-day basis to ensure the needs of young people sentenced, or on remand, are met within a safe and secure therapeutic setting in accordance with relevant legislation.

The role manages a team of staff to deliver centre programs across client services, counselling, WHS, building environment, response equipment and operational security and ensures compliance with policy, procedure and relevant legislation.

This role is committed to building a workforce that better reflects the perspectives of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities we serve.

What you’ll do

As the Aboriginal Assistant Manager at Acmena Youth Justice Centre you will:

- Communicating respectfully with Aboriginal communities in a culturally sensitive way (Yindyamarra – with respect)
- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team, overseeing rostering, performance, training and daily operations to deliver high-quality centre programs and services.
- Manage client service delivery, ensuring effective psychological, counselling, health, education and support programs aligned with individual case plans.
- Coordinate and evaluate centre and community-based programs for young people with complex needs, ensuring quality outcomes and funding compliance.
- Oversee the preparation of key reports, briefings, reviews and submissions, ensuring accurate and timely documentation.
- Lead case planning processes, supporting staff to develop, implement and review individual plans for young people.
- Drive operational excellence through quality assurance, continuous improvement, staff coaching and the implementation of effective systems and procedures.
- Ensure a safe, secure and compliant environment by monitoring operations, risk management, WHS practices and legislative requirements.
- Oversee admissions, transfers, court attendances, visits, incident management and security assessments for young people in custody.
- Provide leadership, coaching and support to managers and staff, fostering capability development and high performance.
- Act as Duty Manager on a rotating on-call roster, supporting critical operational and business functions.

What we’re looking for

- Tertiary qualifications in behavioural/social sciences, education, psychology or relevant experience managing multidisciplinary teams within a criminal justice or human services environment
- Current NSW Drivers licence (minimum class C)
- NSW Working with Children Check clearance for paid employment




- Possession of ‘Provide First Aid’ Certificate (HLTAID011)
- This is an identified position and only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons (see notes below for further information).

Notes: As an Identified role, this role is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons, Australia’s First Nations people. Where a position is identified, an applicant’s race is a genuine occupational qualification and authorised by Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

There are two alternatives to confirming your Aboriginality, one of which must be uploaded to be considered for the role as follows. Either will be accepted:

Confirmation of Aboriginality form or

Written confirmation from 2-3 Aboriginal organisations within the community in which you live/work, which addresses the three criteria listed below:

- is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
- identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
- is accepted as a such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

Appointments are subject to reference checks. Some roles may also require the following checks/ clearances:
- National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply – you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you. Download the role description.

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account.

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now’ button.

For more information and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit Careers for Aboriginal people https://www.dcj.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers-at-dcj/pathways/careers-for-aboriginal-people.html

What We Offer

We offer a variety of advantages, including:

- 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.

Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply. You will need to attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum five pages) and a cover letter (maximum three pages) with a brief outline on how you meet the focus capabilities & requirements of the role and answer the two targeted questions below:

1. Describe a time when you have built or improved a partnership with another agency or stakeholder to improve outcomes for Youth Justice, staff or young people, what were the challenges? How did your efforts improve outcomes for your working group?

1. Working in Youth Justice requires ongoing learning, cultural capability, and reflection. Can you tell us about a time you reflected on your own performance or sought feedback to Improve how you worked with others or delivered a project? How did you apply what you learned?

Applications close Monday 5th 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 Panapasa Turaga on 0436 663 248 or via [email protected]

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 Lisa Smith on 0456 199 105 or via [email protected]

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.

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.

📌 Aboriginal Assistant Manager - Acmena Youth Justice Centre, Youth Justice (Clarence Valley Council)
🏢 Department Of Communities And Justice
📍 Clarence Valley Council