Youth Worker

About the Business
Our Youth Justice and Exceptional Needs team is responsible for state-wide community and service development for vulnerable people with multiple, complex needs, as well as tertiary elements of the youth justice system, including custodial and community-based supervision and support.

Role Details
Are you interested in working with children and young people?

Are you looking for the next step in your career and want to have a positive impact?

We’re looking for people who are calm, empathic, level-headed and above all have the natural ability to ‘click’ with children and young people.

Perhaps you have a background in coaching sport or working with Aboriginal communities?

Maybe you have life experiences that have led you to want to help others?

Read on if you would like to:

• Support and mentor young people so they can thrive.
• Create opportunities for young people to participate more fully in their community.
• Provide opportunities for young Aboriginal people to connect with their culture.
• Pursue a career that is challenging and highly rewarding.

Where you would be based:
Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre in Cavan (Adelaide) is a custodial facility that provides a safe and secure environment for young people aged 10 to 21 years, who are either in custody or are refused police bail.

Consistent with international best practice, the Centre utilises a state-of-the-art security system, allowing an open campus environment that supports rehabilitation, learning, participation and social development.

The facility has undergone significant upgrades, that will deliver cutting edge facilities that consider both the physical and psychological impacts of a custodial environment on young people.

What you would be doing as a Youth Worker, you will be helping to:

• Maintain the care, safety, and supervision of young people in a custodial environment.
• Increase the social and life skills of young people in custody.
• Assist with effective transition into the community and/or reconnection with their families, family-based care providers or other suitable care options.
• Assess and respond to the individual needs of young people to increase their chances of successful, positive behaviour change.
• Deliver programs and services that facilitate the development and rehabilitation of young people.
• Ensure young people have opportunities to experience education and opportunities for social, sporting, and cultural activities.

What we can offer you:

• Employment at the OPS3 level -67,589-72,033 per annum (shift penalties will apply which can increase your salary by up to $15,000 per annum).
• A meaningful career opportunity in a values-based organisation.
• On the job training and continuous learning.
• Opportunities for career progression.

DHS will require you to:

• Hold a current Senior First Aid certificate or be willing to obtain one prior to an offer of employment.
• Hold a current Australian driver’s licence (full licence, minimum class ‘C’ – South Australian) and be willing and able to drive all government vehicles within your licence classification during the course of your duties.
• Undergo and maintain a ‘suitable’ psychological assessment to work at Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre (or any other training centre established under the Youth Justice Administration Act 2016).
• Undertake relevant medical and functional assessments to ensure your safety and suitability to support young people in a crisis.
• Gain a National Police Check (NPC) and Department of Human Services (DHS) Child Related Employment Screening (Working with Children Check) prior to commencing employment and during your employment.
• Be available for shift work including nights, weekends, and public holidays.

About the Department:
The Department of Human Services (DHS) is one of South Australia’s most diverse Government departments.

Our commitment is to create a society where all people feel valued and have access to quality services.

Working for DHS is a hugely rewarding experience, whatever role you choose.

We value our workforce and offer a wide variety of career prospects, flexibility, work-life balance, as well as promotional opportunities and excellent employment conditions.

Working in DHS will provide you with:

• Access to salary sacrifice arrangements and superannuation benefits.
• A work environment where diversity is valued and individual contributions are recognised.
• Opportunity to participate in leadership programs.
• Career pathways and opportunities to develop new skills through mobility and secondments.

Our Recruitment Process:
Due to the nature of the role, our recruitment process includes a range of activities such as:

• A pre-screening interview on the phone.
• A personality evaluation questionnaire.
• A behavioural job interview face to face.
• Role playing exercises.
• A group exercise.

If you are recommended from your performance in these activities, two referees will be contacted, one being your current line manager or supervisor.

If you are successful in this process, you will be required to undertake a medical and functional assessment in addition to a psychological assessment to secure a contract in the Youth Worker role.

Our recruitment is ongoing, and you can apply at any time for this opportunity.

Intakes vary depending on organisational needs.

If you are recommended and placed in our Employment Pool, your application will remain active for 12 months.

You could be contacted at any time during this period and offered an opportunity to commence employment with us (which includes induction and training).

Important things you need to know:

• Before applying, review all the essential requirements and special conditions as detailed in the attached Role Description.
• Young people in custody require attention and supervision at all times.
• Our shifts rotate and include AM and PM shifts. The start and finish times may vary, however as a Youth Worker you will be required to work across only the AM (6:50am to 3pm), PM (2:50pm to 11pm) shifts.
• Shift work also involves working weekends and Public Holidays which attract generous penalty rates. You are strongly encouraged to consider this aspect of the role and whether it suits your circumstances.
• Applicants who hold a nationally accredited Certificate IV in a youth work related discipline are encouraged to apply.

Special Conditions

• National Police Check required.
• Employment-related Screening Check required.
• Some out of hours work may be required.
• Some interstate and intrastate travel may be required.
• Must hold a current Australian issued driver’s licence (equivalent to minimum class C).

Contact Us
Enquiries to Paula Rauh, 0460 430 974 Email: [email protected]

Diversity And Inclusion
DHS is committed to making our services and workplaces safe and inclusive for all people and ensuring the full diversity of the communities we serve are represented in our workforce, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability and/or neurodivergence, young people, older people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, LGBTIQA+ and gender diverse people.

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment process. If you require assistance with this process, please contact us at [email protected] and a member of the team will get back to you.

The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working, including part time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss flexible working arrangements for this role.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply. We also celebrate the many strengths and skills people with disability and/or neurodivergent people bring to our workplace and acknowledge our role in ensuring a supportive work environment for people with disability and/or neurodivergent people to thrive in.