Senior Policy Officer | Melbourne - CBD

Job Description

• Great opportunity to join Youth Justice on a fixed-term basis in Melbourne.
• Support and lead work relating to the implementation of the Youth Justice Act.
• Contribute to improving the outcomes of young people's futures.

The Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) is responsible for the supervision of children and young people in the Victorian criminal justice system. Youth Justice is responsible for overseeing services responding to children and young people in the criminal justice system, providing strategic advice and delivering strategic outcomes to address youth crime and reduce offending.

Reporting to the Manager Youth Justice Act implementation, the Senior Policy Officer will support the work associated with the operational readiness for Youth Justice Act implementation.

The role will support the Victorian Government to deliver significant reforms to the Youth Justice system. The role operates within a complex and dynamic environment that requires a capacity to be highly responsive and agile, exercise sound judgement, effectively liaise with key stakeholders and communicate clearly.

The Opportunity

• Fixed term, full-time position until 30 June 2027 based in Melbourne.
• VPS Grade 5 role: $113,022 - $136,747 per year plus superannuation.
• Provide advice to departmental executives and Ministers on complex and potentially sensitive matters including legislative advice relevant to the delivery of the project, and prepare high quality and authoritative briefings, Cabinet submissions, budget bids, reports and presentations.
• Lead the drafting and development of legal policy products (including regulations) associated with the Youth Justice Act, dealing with sensitive and complex issues.
• Prepare high level research and analysis of legal and other policy and operational issues
• Project management of workstreams, including consultation, timeframes, procurement and budget processes to ensure that objectives and commitments are met on time and within budget and quality requirements.
• Manage tasks, including consultation, budget and reporting processes to ensure that objectives and commitments are met on time and within budget and quality requirements.
• Assist in developing and writing of relevant policies, procedures and operational guidance
• Proactively build and maintain positive stakeholder relationships and communication channels, using informal and formal methods of communication, including the preparation of complex reports, briefings and presentations to influence senior stakeholders to achieve project objectives.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Sound knowledge of and/or experience in Victorian government legislative and administrative processes.
• Knowledge and/or experience relating to the Youth Justice reform
• A proven track record in public sector policy or project delivery.
• Advanced writing and communication skills.

You will be required to obtain a Working with Children Check, which you will need to maintain for the period of employment.

To learn more about the type of skills you will need to thrive in this role, please read the position description.

What's in it for you?

You will be working for the Department of Justice and Community Safety, which is one arm of the Victorian State Government, a recognised top employer of choice nationally. All our staff work to the vision of a safe, just, innovative and thriving Victoria.

There are many advantages in working for the department, including:

• Job stability – position as a member of the Victorian Public Service (VPS).
• A fair salary– enjoy great work conditions and salary sacrificing options.
• Transparent performance framework– approach your work with confidence in how you're tracking, working to professional development plans agreed on by you and your manager.
• Generous leave entitlements– provisions for many forms of leave; including personal, parental, carers, study, cultural, compassionate, and sick leave.
• Employee Assistance Program support – you are encouraged to use this short-term, confidential counselling service if you're experiencing emotional stress, relationship problems, conflict with others or personal issues. It is also available for financial counselling and retirement planning.

If you have any queries, please contact Christie Enright on 0409 149 725 or christie.enright@justice.vic.gov.au

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants are welcome to utilise support from the Aboriginal Recruitment Team throughout the recruitment process. Aboriginal candidates are encouraged to contact Aboriginalrecruitment@justice.vic.gov.au if they would like cultural support and guidance through the application process.

For Aboriginal Designated and Prioritised positions, a Certificate of Aboriginality (CoA) will be required prior to an offer of employment being made

We want to make sure all Victorians feel represented by the department's work. One of the ways we do this is by recruiting a diverse workforce – we welcome people of any gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability and cultural background. We are also committed to the Victorian Government's promise to increase the number of veterans working in the public sector.

We're proud of our individual differences. We're proud of the many languages we speak and the stories we can share with each other. We hope you will share your story too.

If this sounds like a compelling job that you believe your skills would be a great match for, please APPLY NOW. Applications close 11.59pm, Wednesday 14^th January 2026.

How to apply

Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include national police checks and misconduct screening.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.