Youth Justice Conference Convenor

Youth Justice Conference Convenor,

Youth Justice

• Statutory appointee (appointment for 3 years)
• Locations across NSW – Kempsey, Taree, Newcastle, Ashfield, Surry Hills, Blacktown, Penrith, Batemans Bay, Bega, Goulburn, Queanbeyan, Broken Hill, Walgett & Lightning Ridge
• Casual rate of $54.99 per hour
• Applications close on Tuesday 28 July 2026 at 11:59pm

This is a targeted recruitment.

While all applicants are welcome, preference will be given to candidates who meet the established standards of the role and are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent. This is because the Department acknowledges this lived experience contributes a perspective valuable to our work with this community.

Who we’re looking for

We are seeking people with excellent communication and organisation skills who can listen to and connect with young offenders and victims of crime and facilitate community connections and support. The role is community-based and supports victims of crime, young people who offend and the wider community by facilitating restorative justice conferences.

About Youth Justice NSW

Youth Justice NSW is a division of the Department of Communities and Justice within the Stronger Communities NSW cluster. Formerly known as Juvenile Justice, Youth Justice NSW supervises and provides custodial and community-based services for young offenders. Youth Justice also provides diversionary services through the administration of youth justice conferences under the Young Offenders Act 1997. Youth Justice NSW aims to empower young people to fulfil their potential without offending.

About the role

Youth Justice Conference Convenors prepare for and facilitate Youth Justice Conferences following the principles of restorative justice. This includes inviting and meeting with conference participants and facilitating the conference conversation and outcomes. The role is a statutory appointment and requires flexible hours including outside of business hours and weekend work.

As a Conference Convenor you will**:**

• Be self-motivated.
• Have excellent communication and listening skills.
• Have excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Have good computer skills and ability to complete administrative tasks promptly.
• Be comfortable working with and supporting a wide range of participants.
• Actively develop and maintain community networks and relationships with local police, cultural groups, support services and other community agencies
• Be dedicated to working collaboratively and connecting with multicultural and Aboriginal young people, families, and victims.
• Have an interest in working with young people, families, and victims of crime.
• Have regular availability to complete conferences (each conference referral takes approx. 10-15 hours including preparation and the conference)
• Be prepared for irregular work as referral numbers increase and decrease throughout the year.
• Be resilient and flexible in your approach to working with others.
• Work in accordance with relevant department legislation, policies and procedures.
• Be available to complete mandatory training and willing to travel.

Requirements of the role:

• Possession of a minimum Provisional 2 NSW Driver's licence
• National Criminal History Check
• Access to your own personal computer with internet access and mobile phone
• NSW Working with Children Check Clearance (WWCC) 

The Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012 requires persons engaged in children related work to have Working with Children clearances. 

If successful in this role you will be required to provide a Working with Children Check clearance number prior to commencing in the role.  To obtain further information and to apply for a WWCC clearance please click here

Click here for more information and FAQ about the role.     

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, 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.

How to apply:

To apply for this role, you need to submit an application online via https://jobs.dcj.nsw.gov.au/  quoting job reference number 85030 in the search field.

For your application to be considered, you must:

Ensure that you have read the  Role Description

• Check that you meet the capabilities and key knowledge and experience for the role listed in the Role Description
• Be available to attend all listed training dates
• Click the 'apply' button to submit your application.
• Attach the following: 
  • An updated resume of no more than five (5) pages which clearly details your skills and experience as relevant to the position.
  • A cover letter of no more than two (2) pages introducing yourself and explaining how you meet the capabilities and key knowledge and experience of the role.

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 Lisa.Smith3@dcj.nsw.gov.au  

The Recruitment Process – Key Dates

• Applications Close: 28 July 2026
• Interview: 17 August 2026 to 28 August 2026
• Pre-Employment Checks: 31 August 2026 to 4 October 2026
• Offers of Appointment: 5 October 2026 to 24 October 2026
• Training Dates: Virtual online 3 – 4 November 2026 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM & 17 - 18 November 2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Face to Face at the Yasmar Training Facility (Sydney)

Got a question?

For more information about the role or if you have specific questions about the role, please contact the below for the area you are applying for:

• Kempsey & Taree - Kylie Naylor - 0428 409 050 - kylie.naylor@dcj.nsw.gov.au
• Newcastle - Damian Baker – 0421 610 782 - damian.baker2@dcj.nsw.gov.au
• Ashfield – Andrew Mariner - 0412 402 591 -  andrew.mariner@dcj.nsw.gov.au
• Surry Hills - Bianca Barton - 0459 870 167 -  Bianca.Barton@dcj.nsw.gov.au
• Blacktown - Victor Araujo - 0411 402 927 - victor.araujo@dcj.nsw.gov.au
• Penrith - Gaston Bonnet - 0412 402 585 - gaston.bonnet@dcj.nsw.gov.au
• Batemans Bay Bega, Goulburn, Queanbeyan - Marshall Lammers – 0411 408 062 - marshall.lammers@dcj.nsw.gov.au
• Broken Hill, Walgett & Lightning Ridge - Derek Gibbs - 0459 872 585 - derek.gibbs@dcj.nsw.gov.au

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.

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

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.