Department of Human Services
Job reference: 621966
Location: 5094 - CAVAN
Job status: Long Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone
Role Highlights
- Have an impact on the
youth of South Australia
- Work with a dynamic and
enthusiastic team
- Multiple Term Vacancies
Available (Pool)
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).
Role Status: Term up to 08/09/2025
Salary Range: $67,589-$72,033 (OPS3)
Location: Cavan
Enquiries: Paula Rauh, 0460 430 974 Email: paula.rauh3@sa.gov.au
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
dhsrecruitment@sa.gov.au and a member of the team will get back to
you.
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.
Applications close: 07/03/2025 11:30 PM
Attachments:-
Role Description - Youth Worker - OPS3.pdf
Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.