Assistant Manager - Cobham Youth Justice Centre, Youth Justice

• Ongoing
• Location: Werrington
• Level 6 Salary ($125,500 - $137,098 pa), plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

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.

Your role

The 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.

What you’ll do

• Manage a team of staff including work allocation and rostering, performance management and learning and development to deliver a range of centre programs including client services, counselling, WHS, building environment, response equipment and operational security.
• Manage the delivery of client services based on a multidisciplinary model to provide high quality psychological, counselling, health, education and other services and programs consistent with defined case plans for young persons.
• Coordinate the design, delivery, monitoring, evaluation and funding of a range of programs provided by centre and community-based providers to support children and young people sentenced, or on remand, who present with complex needs and behaviours.
• Coordinate the delivery of various reports and submissions including issues and incidents, ministerial briefings, Serious Young Offenders Review Panel (SYORP), Classification Review Panels, Parole Reviews, and Conditional Discharge.
• Manage and coordinate the development, implementation and review of young persons’ case plans by a team of unit and specialist staff to support the delivery of high quality client services.
• Lead the design, implementation and modelling, a range of operational procedures, practices and systems including accountability and quality assurance systems, by monitoring reviewing and coaching staff practice ensuring good operational practice is maintained.
• Perform quality assurance reviews and drive operational efficiency, a secure environment and safe work practices that comply with legislation, policy and procedures.
• Monitor and coordinate the admission, discharge, court attendances, transfers, absences, visits, behaviour management and incidents at the centre and coordinate the evaluation and review of security ratings and risk assessments of young persons to ensure appropriate security and compliance with court mandates, legislation and required policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Lead, develop and support staff, particularly line managers to set standards and assist their reports, in achieving expectations of their role, while also providing support to all other staff helping them to develop in their roles. Act as the Duty Manager, on a rotating, on-call basis and learn key business and operational processes

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
• NSW Drivers licence (minimum class C)
• Possession of ‘Provide First Aid’ Certificate (HLTAID003)
• Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012

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

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.

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.

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.

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. Tell us about a situation where you led a team through a challenging period, such as organisational change, critical incidents, poor performance, or low staff morale. What actions did you take to support your team, maintain accountability, and achieve positive outcomes?

1. Tell us about a time when you led with purpose to achieve an important outcome. How did you communicate the 'why', engage your team, and measure success?

Applications close Monday 17 August 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 Ead Kassem – A/Centre Manager on 02 9833 6*** or via **********@dcj.nsw.gov.au

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 *** or via ***********@dcj.nsw.gov.au

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.

For more information and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit Careers for Aboriginal people.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.