Unit Manager - Orana Youth Justice Centre, Youth Justice

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Two ongoing full‑time Unit Manager roles at Orana Youth Justice Centre in Dubbo offer Level 5 pay ($107,131–$116,969 p.a.) plus employer super and annual leave loading. This targeted recruitment prioritises Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent. You’ll lead a multidisciplinary team, rotate as Duty Manager, and oversee detainee case plans, program delivery, shift planning, safety and centre operations. Essential: Certificate IV Youth Work or Community Services, Certificate IV in Frontline Management, Provide First Aid, NSW driver’s license, and NSW Working with Children Check; plus National Criminal History check if required. Apply via DCJ Careers with résumé and cover letter addressing two targeted questions on cultural safety and coaching or managing staff; close 1 March 2026 11:59pm AEST.

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Unit Manager –

Orana Youth Justice Centre,

Youth Justice

 

 

• 2 x Ongoing, Full time
• Location: Dubbo
• Level 5, Salary ($107,131 - $116,969 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

 

Direct and manage a multidisciplinary team to ensure appropriate care and custody of detainees and safety of staff in accordance with relevant legislation.  Takes on the role of Duty Manager on a rotation basis and is responsible, in this role, for the centre wide supervision of Assistant Unit Managers and Shift Supervisors.

 

 

What you’ll do

 

• Responsible for detainee inclusion in case plan development and detailed activities and programs that are in line with detainee classification.
• Work with Assistant Unit Managers, Shift Supervisors and Youth Officers to ensure detainee case plan processes and timelines are adhered to and plan outcomes are achieved.
• Shift planning, resource allocation, and ensuring security within the Unit, including briefing/debriefing of staff on incoming shifts regarding any incidents / issues.
• Providing direct supervision and support to detainees, and advise staff on the management of detainees, particularly regarding management of challenging or difficult detainee behaviours
• Coordinating daily routines, including casework and program attendance, facilitation of case conferences, completion of all appropriate documentation and coordination of data entry to ensure compliance, consistency and quality is maintained.
• Reviews investigation reports of detainee misbehaviour, conducts enquiries and makes determinations when detainee appeals are lodged in relation to action to be taken ensuring those actions are procedurally correct, fair and equitable.
• As Duty Manager, oversee the running of the Centre as a whole, ensuring appropriate strategies are in place for the effective use of staffing and resources to manage any identified risks

 

 

What we’re looking for

 

• Certificate IV Youth Work (Youth Justice) or Community Services (or equivalent)
•  Certificate IV in Business (Frontline Management) or equivalent
• Possession of, or willingness to obtain, a ‘Provide First Aid’ Certificate (HLTAID003)
• A current NSW Drivers licence
• 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?

 

Click apply. 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:

 

• Explain why cultural safety is important and describe strategies you would implement to enhance & ensure the cultural safety of your Aboriginal staff and the young people and their families that encounter Youth Justice?

 

• Describe a time where you have been required to coach, influence or manage a staff member. What were the challenges? How did you overcome them?

 

 

Applications close Sunday 1 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 Julieann Millington – Assistant Manager Orana YJC on 0447 109 585  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 Lisa Smith on 0456 199 105 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/

 

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.