Eligibility
: Open to Everyone
Role Highlights
1. Exciting opportunity for those with passion for working with young people
2. Diverse and inclusive culture
3. Multiple Term Vacancies Available (Pool)
Role Details
Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre is a custodial facility thatprovides a safe and secure environment for young people in custody.Consistent with international best practice, the Centre utilises astate-of-the-art security system, allowing an open campusenvironment that supports rehabilitation, learning, participationand social development.
If you have a passion for working with children and young peopleand would like to:
• support and mentor children and young people to thrive andincrease opportunities to participate fully in their community
• provide opportunities for Aboriginal young people to connectto culture
• have a career that is challenging and highly rewarding; thenthis role could be your next career move!
The Youth Worker role is based at the Kurlana Tapa Youth JusticeCentre in Cavan. Kurlana Tapa is a safe and secure environment foryoung people aged 10+ years in custody or who are refused policebail. As a Youth Worker, you will be part of a team contributingto:
• maintaining an appropriate level of care, safety, andsupervision in a custodial environment
• improving the social and living skills of children and youngpeople in custody, and assist in their effective transition intothe community and/or reunification/reconnection with theirfamilies, family-based care providers or other suitable careoptions
• assessing and responding to the individual needs of youngpeople to increase their chances of successful positive behaviourchange
• the delivery of programs and services, which facilitate thedevelopment and/or rehabilitation of young people
• ensuring young people have opportunities to experienceeducation and opportunities for social, sporting, and culturalactivities.
What we provide:
• Youth Workers are employed at the OPS3 level ($65,606 -$69,919 per annum). Shift penalties may apply which can increaseyour salary by up to $15,000 per annum.
• On the job training and continuous learning.
• Opportunities for career progression.
• Support to complete CHC40513 Certificate IV in YouthJustice
What we need from you:
• Hold a current Senior First Aid certificate, or be willingto obtain one prior to an offer of employment
• Hold a current Australian driver’s licence (fulllicence, minimum class ‘C’ – South Australian)and be willing and able to drive all government vehicles withinyour licence classification during the course of your duties.
• Completion of a CHC40513 Certificate IV in Youth Justice(fully funded by DHS) within the first 12 months of your employmentto support and develop your practice in this role.
• Undergo and maintain a ‘suitable’ psychologicalassessment status within six months of employment to be employed towork at Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre (or any other trainingcentre established under the Youth Justice Administration Act2016).
• Undertake relevant medical and functional assessments toensure your safety and suitability to support young people in acrisis.
• Gain a National Police Check (NPC) and Department of HumanServices (DHS) Child Related Employment Screening (Working withChildren Check) prior to commencing employment and during youremployment.
• Work shift work which includes nights, weekends, and publicholidays.
• Be vaccinated against COVID-19 with a TGA approved vaccineand provide proof of vaccination status prior to being appointed tothe role.
About the Department:
The Department of Human Services (DHS) is one of SouthAustralia’s most diverse Government departments. Ourcommitment is to create a society where all people feel valued andhave access to quality services. Working for DHS is a hugelyrewarding experience, whatever role you choose. We value ourworkforce and offer a wide variety of career prospects,flexibility, work-life balance, as well as promotionalopportunities and excellent employment conditions.
Working in DHS you will:
• have access to salary sacrifice arrangements andsuperannuation benefits
• work in an environment where diversity is valued andindividual contributions are recognised
• opportunity to gain tertiary qualifications funded byDHS
• opportunity to participate in leadership programs
• have career pathways and opportunities to develop new skillsthrough mobility and secondments.
About our recruitment process:
Due to the nature of the role, our recruitment process includes avariety of activities such as an initial phone screening interview,a behavioural interview, role play, and a group exercise.
You may also be asked to undertake a personality questionnaire.
If you are recommended from your performance in these activities,two referees will be contacted, one being your current line manageror supervisor.
If you are successful in this process, you will be required toundertake a medical and functional assessment in addition to apsychological assessment to secure a contract in the Youth Workerrole.
Our recruitment is ongoing, and you can apply at any time for thisopportunity. Intakes vary depending on organisational needs.
If you are recommended and placed on our Employment Pool, yourapplication will remain active for 12 months. You could becontacted at any time during this period and offered an opportunityto commence employment with us (which includes induction andtraining).
What else do I need to know?
Before applying, review all the essential requirements and specialconditions as detailed in the attached Role Description.
Children and young people in custody require attention andsupervision at all times.
Our shifts rotate and include AM and PM Shifts. The start andfinish times may vary, however as a Youth Worker you will berequired to work across only the AM (6:50am to 3pm), PM (2:50pm to11pm) shifts. Shift work also involves working weekends and PublicHolidays that attract generous penalty rates. You are stronglyencouraged to consider this aspect of the role and whether it suitsyour current circumstances.
Special Conditions
• National Police Check required.
• Employment-related Screening Check required.
• Some out of hours work may be required.
• Some interstate and intrastate travel may berequired.
• Must hold a current Australian issued driver’slicence (equivalent to minimum class C).
• This role requires a Working With Children check RoleStatus: Term (12 month contract).
• Multiple positions available
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexibleways of working, including part-time. Applicants are encouraged todiscuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.
About the Business
Community and Family Services supports vulnerable people andfamilies to participate in social and economic life and buildstronger communities. This division comprises three key areas:
Safer Family Services (SFS) provides awide range of intensive family support services to children, youngpeople and families experiencing a high risk of statutoryintervention from the child protection or youth justice systems.Services also include family support, community development andparenting and youth programs.
The Office for Women works acrossgovernment and the community towards achieving gender equity andpositive change for women in South Australia by developing policyand advising on issues affecting women to improve their safety,wellbeing and economic security. The office also oversees theWomen’s Information Service to support women over the phone,online and in person, as well as regional safety hubs across thestate.
Communities and Justice works towardsbuilding community safety and wellbeing by providing support andservices to children, young people and families in the youthjustice system, building the capacity of communities throughcommunity development projects and working in partnership with thecommunity services sector to respond to people with complex andexceptional needs.
Role Status: Term up to 26/05/2024
Salary Range: $65,606 - $69,919 (OPX3)
Location: Cavan