At the Department of Justice and Community Safety, we’re looking for people who want to make a difference. People who take pride in their work. People who get things done. People who are committed to making Victoria a safer place.
We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We’re all about recruiting the best people, regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or cultural background. If you think you can do the job and would be a good fit for our department, we’d love to hear from you.
The department is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and recognises that children’s rights need to be respected, their views welcomed and valued, and their concerns taken seriously and acted upon.
If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.
For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit justice.vic.gov.au/careers
We’re proud of the important work we do across Victoria. Want to be part of it?
- Provide day to day management of the SERT response teams, emergency and incident management, training and development, and compliance and monitoring systems.
- Ensure incident responses are coordinated, safe, effective, efficient, and in line with relevant policies and procedures.
- Effectively supervise and lead the SERT staff to achieve their potential and contribute to the organisational goals and outcomes.
The Department of Justice and Community Safety (Youth Justice) is responsible for the statutory supervision of young people in the criminal justice system in Victoria focusing on prevention, diversion, and early intervention as the most effective and fiscally responsible ways of reducing youth crime. Youth Justice is committed to the demonstration of the departmental values at all times; Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership, Human rights.
Youth justice custodial centres accommodate young people aged 10-18 years who have been remanded or sentenced by the Criminal Division of the Children's Court, and some 18-21 year olds sentenced by Adult Courts to a youth justice custodial centre.
The three Youth Justice custodial precincts in Victoria are managed by the Department of Justice and Community Safety:
- Parkville Youth Justice Precinct is in the inner northern Melbourne suburb of Parkville, approximately five kilometres from the central business district.
- Cherry Creek Youth Justice Precinct located to the west of Werribee.
- Malmsbury Youth Justice Precinct located approximately 100 kilometres north of Melbourne.
The Unit Manager, Safety and Emergency Response Team (SERT) is responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the SERT response across a custodial precinct, including delivery of the two-tier model, emergency and incident management, training and development and compliance and monitoring systems. The role is responsible for ensuring that incident responses are coordinated, safe, effective, efficient and in line with relevant policies and procedures.
The opportunity
- Ongoing, full-time position based in Melbourne at the Cherry Creek Youth Justice Precinct.
- YJW4 role: $104,545 - $118,631 per year plus superannuation.
- Responsible for the ongoing training, development, support and well-being of SERT members, including but not limited to, the facilitation of tactical response training, physical/fitness skills, prohibited weapons, and restorative justice training
- Lead and provide strategic direction to teams of staff with specific operational duties, provide operational supervision and ensure individual performance development plans (PDP) for SERT Unit Supervisors are in place.
- Provide specialist expertise and experience in the response to all incidents in line with the Emergency Management model and Youth Justice Custodial Operating Procedures to ensure a coordinated, safe, effective and efficient response to all incidents and emergencies.
- Contribute to the development and management of compliance and monitoring systems that enhance the safety and security of the precincts.
- Liaise, consult and negotiate with internal and external service providers to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of services.
- Participate and, where required, oversee the investigation of any complaints or grievances by young people, staff or members of the public in accordance with departmental policy including restraint reviews and debriefs.
- Oversee SERT individual specialist portfolios, which include, but are not limited to: Intelligence, Training, Operational Equipment, Uniforms, Health and Safety and Youth Engagement.
To be successful in this role you will have:
- An understanding of the legislative framework surrounding the use of force and ability to apply this legislation in an operational environment.
- Experience in, or understanding of, the operational procedures and complexities within a custodial environment including the management of critical incidents and staff and resource deployment.
- Knowledge of current policy direction, research and issues within youth justice and the criminal justice system more broadly and the needs of young people involved in the criminal justice system.
- Successfully completed all identified SERT training
- A current full driver's licence as travel to other offices within the department may be required.
You will be required to obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC) to be maintained by the employee for the period of employment.
To learn more about the type of skills you will need to thrive in this role, please read the position description.
What's in it for you?
You will be working for the Department of Justice and Community Safety, which is one arm of the Victorian State Government, a recognised top employer of choice nationally. All our staff work to the vision of a safe, just, innovative and thriving Victoria.
There are many advantages in working for the department, including:
- Job stability – position as a member of the Victorian Public Service (VPS).
- A fair salary– enjoy great work conditions and salary sacrificing options.
- Transparent performance framework– approach your work with confidence in how you're tracking, working to professional development plans agreed on by you and your manager.
- Generous leave entitlements– provisions for many forms of leave; including personal, parental, carers, study, cultural, compassionate, and sick leave.
- Employee Assistance Program support – you are encouraged to use this short-term, confidential counselling service if you're experiencing emotional stress, relationship problems, conflict with others or personal issues. It is also available for financial counselling and retirement planning.
If you have any queries, please contact Ann-Marie Paramore on 0408 995 009 or [email protected]
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants are welcome to utilise support from the Aboriginal Recruitment Team throughout the recruitment process. Aboriginal candidates are encouraged to contact [email protected] if they would like cultural support and guidance through the application process.
For Aboriginal Designated and Prioritised positions, a Certificate of Aboriginality (CoA) will be required prior to an offer of employment being made
We want to make sure all Victorians feel represented by the department's work. One of the ways we do this is by recruiting a diverse workforce – we welcome people of any gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability and cultural background. We are also committed to the Victorian Government's promise to increase the number of veterans working in the public sector.
We're proud of our individual differences. We're proud of the many languages we speak and the stories we can share with each other. We hope you will share your story too.
If this sounds like a compelling job that you believe your skills would be a g
reat match for, please APPLY NOW. Applications close 11.59pm, Wednesday 28th January 2026.
How to apply
Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.
The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include national police checks and misconduct screening.
If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:
The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.