Project Officer
Location: Newcastle, Charlestown & Upper Hunter
Full-time, 10-month temporary opportunity
Grade 7/8 - $116,981 - $129,492 p.a. + superannuation and annual leave loading
Flexible work practices including work from home, flexible working hours, 35-hour week and flex leave
This role is required to work across various sites of the Newcastle and Hunter Children’s Court circuits. Sites are Newcastle, Charlestown, Maitland, Cessnock and Muswellbrook.
Your role
The Broadmeadow Children’s Court Program (BCCP) is an innovative, multiagency service approach that ensures young people appearing before the courts in the Newcastle and Hunter region receive a coordinated, holistic response. By delivering wraparound support across health, education, safety and welfare, the program aims to address the underlying drivers of offending and reduce the likelihood of young people reoffending.
You will be a key connection point across government agencies and community partners, ensuring that young people who appear at court receive an integrated and timely service response. Your work will directly influence how the justice, child protection, health and social service systems come together to support young people. This role suits someone who thrives in complexity, enjoys relationship building, and is energised by improving systems and outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.
It is an especially exciting time to join BCCP as we undertake the pilot expansion of the program into the Hunter District, creating a consistent and integrated court response across a broader geographic area. The expansion represents a significant evolution in how agencies collaborate around young people with complex needs- and this role is at the centre of shaping that future! You will support the BCCP Coordinator to establish and embed the expanded service model across the Hunter, working with partner agencies to co-develop operational processes, strengthen shared practice, and build a coordinated referral and triage pathway for the new locations.
Your primary responsibilities will include:
- Providing oversight of the program to ensure objectives are met
- Being a central point of contact for agencies and service providers
- Supporting the communication of the BCCP to key referring agencies
- Managing referrals for young people who attend the children’s court
- Coordinating and chairing triage meetings ahead of court appearances across Newcastle and Hunter Circuits
- Assessing risk and vulnerability to assist in prioritising referrals and service responses
- Providing assistance with gaining consent from the young person / the young person’s family
- Providing support for integrated case management collaboration
- Having a strong understanding of the cohort and local services, to help ensure that individuals are accessing the most effective and culturally appropriate services available
- Coordinate and foster collaboration between the agencies to ensure a coordinated service delivery for young people
- Acting as an escalation point for the cohort when service system issues cannot be resolved
- Regular meetings with service providers to support a coordinated service response for young people
- Maintaining data, including accurately collating data from multiple agencies, and reporting
- Supporting monthly stakeholder meetings with OOHC providers where there is Police contact/Court appearances
- Manage, track and report brokerage access
- Participate in regular cross government and non government stakeholder meetings
What we’re looking for
- A confident communicator who can engage and support a diverse range of stakeholders
- Strong engagement and relationship building skills
- Highly resilient and able to work under pressure and manage competing priorities
- Ability to understand and adhere to Legislation, Policies and Procedures
- Ability to plan and prioritise workload with attention to detail
- Strong ability to lead across diverse teams across Government and non-government partners
- Current driver’s licence
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
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 targeted question below with a brief outline on how you meet the requirements of the role:
- Please provide an example of when you were required to demonstrate leadership across various stakeholders.
- Demonstrate your understanding of the Youth Justice system and Child Protection sector.
Applications close - 11:59pm, Thursday, 23 July 2026.
Got a question?
For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Samantha Allen on Samantha.Allen@dcj.nsw.gov.au
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 Peter Luong on Peter.Luong1@dcj.nsw.gov.au
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.
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.
