Company description:

Department of Communities and Justice

Job description:

Psychologist

Acmena Youth Justice Centre

Youth Justice

Ongoing Full-Time

Location: Grafton

Salary ($79,592- $118,316 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

Youth Justice is looking for innovative and dynamic Psychologist to service Acmena Youth Justice Centre based in Grafton.

• Operate as a member of a multi-disciplinary team, delivering psychological assessment, intervention, and therapeutic services.

• Provide a consultancy service to staff regarding the psychological needs of Youth Justice clients within custodial and community locations, as well as advice to statutory authorities.

What you'll do

• Undertake psychological assessment, intervention, and deliver therapeutic services or programs to young people who offend, including those who sexually offend.
• Assist in the formulation and review of individual Risk - Needs - Responsivity based case plans for the management and supervision of young people on remand or sentenced to a custodial or community order.
• Deliver training to staff, including Youth Justice Caseworkers, in the screening, identification and support of young people with mental health problems, intellectual disability or cognitive impairment.
• Maintain confidential documentation, including electronic Case Notes on Client Information Management System, in accordance with departmental policies, APS guidelines on record keeping and professional ethics.
• Prepare reports, advice, and consultation to statutory authorities such as Children's Courts, the Serious Young Offenders Review Panel, State Parole Authority, and Mental Health Review Tribunal.
• Be dynamic and able to think on their feet.
• Responsive to individual needs and situations.
• You will be part of a team of Youth Justice Psychologists reporting to a Clinical Manager, providing psychological support to the Centre.

What we're looking for

• Minimum four-year accredited qualification in psychology
• Current provisional or full registration with the Psychology Board of Australia:
• A current Drivers' Licence with ability and willingness to travel throughout NSW
• Current NSW Working with Children Check clearance.

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?

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. Outline the considerations you make when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients to ensure a culturally safe and responsive therapeutic service.

1. Outline your experience working within a multidisciplinary team. Provide an example where you have had to navigate a challenging situation within this context; how did you manage this situation and what was the outcome?

Applications close Monday, 30th March 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 Michael Gathercole on 0487 338 799 or via [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 call Olivia Alipalo on 0477 323 408 or via [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 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.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/

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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.