About This Role

- Great opportunity to join Youth Justice on an ongoing basis in Melbourne.
- Lead a team of policy and project staff to develop and deliver operational policy and procedures across Youth Justice Community and Custodial Operations.
- Contribute to supporting the safety, stability and effectiveness of the Youth Justice system.

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is responsible for the statutory supervision of children and young people in the criminal justice system.

Youth

Justice provides strategic advice and delivers targeted interventions to address underlying causes of offending behaviour in children and young people, supporting rehabilitation to reduce reoffending and enhance community safety.

The Opportunity

- Ongoing, full time position based in Melbourne with regular travel to the Youth Justice custodial precincts and community offices
- VPS Grade 6 role: $142,790 - $166,938 per year plus superannuation.
- Provide strategic leadership and support across Youth Justice Operations.
- Lead a team of policy and project staff to develop, review and maintain operational policy, procedures and practice guidelines, ensuring guidance to Youth Justice staff reflects contemporary best practice.
- Ensure operational policy, procedures and practice guidelines comply with the Youth Justice Act 2024, the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 and other legislation.
- Lead Charter assessments of operational policies, procedures and practice guidelines and provides authoritative advice on legal, policy and operational issues in those documents.
- Build collaborative partnerships across Operational Policy and Workforce and the broader Youth Justice group to align priorities, share knowledge and support coordinated delivery of common goals.

To Be Successful In This Role You Will Have

- Experience leading a multi-disciplinary team of staff to deliver high quality work within required timeframes.
- Significant knowledge and/or experience relating to the Youth Justice environment and contemporary best practice.
- Strong conceptual and analytical skills with ability to analyse complex operational, policy and legal issues.
- Experience interpreting legislation or applying legal or administrative rules to practical situations.




- Excellent written and oral communication skills.

A relevant tertiary qualification in law, public policy, criminology, social sciences or a related discipline is also desirable. 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.

If you have any queries, please contact Benjamin Russo on 0438 995 760 or [email protected]

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.

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 [email protected] 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, Wednesday 4th November 2026.

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 secure and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.

📌 Manager, Operational Policy and Procedures (Melbourne)
🏢 Department of Justice and Community Safety, Victoria
📍 Melbourne