Clinical Specialist – Therapeutic | Full-time Permanent

Closes: 01 September 2026

Classification: Health Professional Level 3
Salary: $111,639 - $120,057 (up to $126,060 on achieving a personal upgrade), plus superannuation
Position No: 63412
Directorate: Health and Community Services
Advertised (Gazettal date): 25 August 2026
Contact Officer: Kate Spencer on Kate.Spencer@act.gov.au or (02) 6207 0016

Details: The Health and Community Services Directorate (HCSD) has an exciting opportunity for a Clinical Specialist (Therapeutics) and is looking for a high-performing and motivated individual to join our team.

As a Clinical Specialist (Therapeutics), you will provide expert clinical advice and support on trauma-informed therapeutic practice for children and young people engaged with the CYF system. Working closely with practitioners, you will contribute to the development of evidence-based guidance, resources, and initiatives that strengthen practice across CYF and Youth Justice and Adolescent Services (YJAS).

You will support the continuous improvement of practice by identifying opportunities to enhance service delivery, promote transparent and dignity-driven approaches, and ensure interventions align with the best interests of children, young people, and families. The role also contributes to the development and maintenance of practice guidance and resources, supporting CYF to meet its statutory obligations and deliver high-quality services.

To be successful, you will have strong clinical expertise in trauma-informed practice, experience providing specialist advice to practitioners, and a commitment to evidence-based approaches that drive positive outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people with diverse thoughts, lived experience, and perspectives can thrive and contribute their unique talents to the ACTPS and ACT community. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans, younger and older workers, and people with diverse genders, sexes and sexualities to apply.

Eligibility/Other Requirements:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, Social Welfare, Social Science or related discipline.

Please note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who do not have these qualifications, but who have appropriate and relevant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage and experience are eligible to apply.

• Minimum of three years of experience working with children, youth, and/or families in a social work/case management role, and/or experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities.
• Prior to commencing this role, a current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required. For further information on Working with Vulnerable People registration refer to: Apply for or renew a WWVP registration - Access Canberra.
• Prior to commencement, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a pre-employment National Police Check.
• Driver’s license (C class) is essential.
• As this role is likely to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and young people, cultural awareness, the capacity to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is highly desirable.

Desirable:

• Training in Therapeutic Life Story Work or willingness to complete accreditation.
• Experience in working with people with significant trauma and adversity histories, disability and/or mental illness.

Notes: A Merit Pool may be established from this selection process and will be used to fill vacancies over the next 12 months.

How to Apply: Applicants should submit a statement of no more than two-pages demonstrating how their experience, skills and knowledge will enable them to undertake the role in relation to the ‘What You Require’ capabilities listed on the attached Position Description.

Please also submit a current curriculum vitae and the contact details of two referees with a thorough knowledge of your work performance. Please ensure that one of the referees is your current or immediate past supervisor.

Applications should be submitted .

Note: Under the ACTPS employment framework you may be placed in another role where required for the efficient administration of the service.

The ACT public service is committed to closing the gap, underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. More information can be found here ACT Closing the Gap Implementation Plan - ACT Government Transparency Portal.

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