Company description:

Department of Communities and Justice

Job description:

Aboriginal Services and Engagement Manager

Children's Court

• Location: Parramatta, flexible working arrangements can be considered for successful candidates in accordance with the Premiers Circular C2024-03 NSW Government Sector workplace presence
• Employment Type - Ongoing - Full time (35 hrs per week)
• Salary - Clerk Grade 9/10, Base Salary ($125,693 - $138,510), plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

This position is open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only

Your role

The Aboriginal Services and Engagement Manager leads initiatives to improve engagement and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people involved in Children's Court proceedings. This is a unique opportunity to influence culturally responsive justice services and drive positive systemic change.

What you'll do

As part of the Court Services Division in the Children's Court, you will lead and guide the of services and supports aimed at improving the engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people involved in Children's Court proceedings.

You will also develop and implement initiatives aimed at improving the cultural confidence of judicial officers and court staff working in the Children's Court jurisdiction.

You will be the key liaison with specialist Children's Court judicial officers, court based multi-disciplinary teams, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and Respected Persons providing cultural services and advice to advise senior leadership on strategies to support Aboriginal children, young people and their families.

You will also:

• Guide and mentor registry staff, Children's Registrars, and Community Panel Members to build cultural capability and contribute to a positive workplace culture.
• Establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders including Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and other relevant service providers.
• Develop policy, operational procedures and cultural resources for effective court service delivery to Aboriginal communities.
• Provide expert analysis and recommendations to the Executive Officer and President of the Children' Court on service implementation and operational issues, based on data and community feedback.
• Lead or contribute to monitoring and evaluation of specialist court processes and their outcomes for Aboriginal children and families.
• Prepare Aboriginal impact statements to ensure policies and practices reflect the needs and rights of Aboriginal people.
• Represent the Children's Court on interagency committees and working groups to advocate for culturally safe practices.
• Support initiatives to attract, retain and develop Aboriginal staff within the Court Services Division.
• Travel to regional and remote areas to support service delivery and community engagement as required.
• Work as part of a small, committed executive team in a collaborative and respectful environment focused on inclusion, service improvement and community outcomes.

What we're looking for

• Proven ability to develop and lead Aboriginal engagement programs and partnerships at state, regional and local levels.
• Strong knowledge of NSW youth justice and child protection systems and issues impacting Aboriginal overrepresentation.
• Experience providing expert advice, performance reporting, and continuous improvement in culturally responsive service delivery.
• Deep cultural knowledge and lived experience enabling respectful and effective engagement with Aboriginal communities, Elders and stakeholders to improve justice outcomes.
• Relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience.
• NSW Drivers licence (unrestricted and willingness to travel to regional locations.

As an Identified role, this position is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons, Australia's First Nations people

Where a position is identified, an applicant's race is a genuine occupational qualification under the exception in Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

There are two alternatives to confirming your Aboriginality, one of which must be uploaded to be considered for the role as follows. Either will be accepted:

Confirmation of Aboriginality form

or

Written confirmation from 2-3 Aboriginal organisations within the community in which you live/work, which addresses the three criteria listed below:

• is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
• identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
• is accepted as a such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

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
• Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012

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.

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

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 a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).

Applications close: Sunday, 06 July 2025 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 Hana Marjanac at [email protected]

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 contact Lois Jebin at [email protected]

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 visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website (for all roles except Aboriginal Identified).

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.