Manager Casework

Company description:

Department of Communities and Justice

Job description:

Manager Casework

This is a Talent Pool recruitment for future Ongoing and Temporary opportunities that may arise across our Mid North Coast and Northern NSW Districts.

Locations: Ballina, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Lismore, Port Macquarie and Tweed Heads

Salary: Grade 9/10, $ 133,348 - $ 146,945 pa plus superannuation and annual leave loading.

Flexible work arrangements will be considered in line with operational requirements, location, and individual circumstances, in consultation with the relevant district.

Your role

Our Community Services Centres (CSCs) are seeking passionate, resilient, and values-driven individuals who want to make a real difference in the lives of children and families across NSW. The Manager Casework role requires a blend of leadership, professional knowledge, strategic direction, reflective practice, and the ability to mentor and develop others. In this role, you will lead a team of Caseworkers and Casework Support Workers to deliver impactful, child-centred practice.

What you'll do

As a Manager Casework in a CSC, you will lead the coordination of daily priorities and resource allocation, supporting Caseworkers and Casework Support Workers to deliver high-quality, evidence-informed practice that promotes the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children, young people, and families. You will apply your knowledge of best practice casework to drive consistent, high-quality service delivery through quality assurance, continuous improvement, and the implementation of practice reform. Reflective practice, professional learning, and a commitment to improving outcomes will be central to your leadership approach.

Your day-to-day duties may include:

• Practising effective group and individual supervision,
• Leading practice and practice change, reform and implementation through feedback, quality assurance processes, mentoring and other practice support assistance.
• Quality assurance of information and records for children and young people to ensure practice aligns with the standards of the Office of the Children's Guardian.
• Preparation and review of legal documentation, briefings and correspondence ensuring responses are accurate, meet deadlines and are of a consistently high standard.
• Initiate court proceedings as the official applicant and model litigant.
• Provide instruction, support, and guidance to Caseworkers in all court matters, including the Children's Court, and where required, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA), District, and Supreme Courts.
• Managing and supporting staff with time frames, work allocation and performance management when required.
• Engage in ongoing professional development and foster collaboration across the agency and with community, government and non-government partners — including Grandmothers Against Removal (GMAR), Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), and Aboriginal Community Controlled Mechanisms (ACCMs) — to strengthen consultation, partnerships, and outcomes for children, young people, and families.
• Contributing to operational and policy issues and change management strategies in support of agency goals and objectives.
• Engage in consultation with senior leaders and executives to determine appropriate courses of action in matters that are sensitive, high-risk, or critical to business operations.

What we're looking for

• Tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, Social Science, Welfare or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in applying best practice casework with children, young people and their families.
• Experience leading and managing teams in complex and challenging situations, including a high-volume work area.
• A demonstrated understanding of trauma informed care and the impact poverty, trauma and violence have on children and their families.
• A valid driver's licence, as travel is a requirement of the role.

Appointments are subject to reference checks and the following pre-employment checks:

• National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014
• Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012

Download the role description.

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, attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 3 pages) addressing the 2 targeted questions below with a brief outline on how you meet the requirements of the role:

1. Tell us about a time you made a complex or high-stakes decision. How did you apply research and legislation, what informed your decision-making process, and what was the outcome?
2. Describe how you have — or would — set clear performance expectations for a team, and how you lead others to meet those expectations.

Applications close Monday, 21 September 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 Kirsty Archibald at kirstyjane.archibald@dcj.nsw.gov.au or on 04•• ••• 796.

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, please contact Ashlee Roberts via email as a preference to Ashlee.Roberts@dcj.nsw.gov.au or on 02 •••• •083.

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 our careers site.

Other Information

A talent pool will be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website.

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.