Are you passionate about helping young people make better choices and giving victims of crime a voice in the justice process? The Youth Justice Conference Convenor role offers the unique opportunity to facilitate restorative justice conferences, bridging the gap between young offenders, their victims, and the wider community. As part of the Department of Communities and Justice, you’ll not only help others move forward but also gain invaluable experience in the NSW Public Sector.
Picture this: you’re at the forefront of positive change, working flexibly across multiple locations in New South Wales. Every day, you use your excellent communication skills to connect with diverse families, victims of crime, and young offenders. You’ll coordinate conferences, manage sensitive discussions, and help craft meaningful outcomes.
This is your chance to make a tangible impact on individuals and communities—and I’ve tried to make the application process easier than ever before.
If you’re new to public sector recruitment, check out this unofficial guide to NSW Public Sector recruitment for more insider tips and context.
Youth Justice Conference Convenor: Make a Difference in the NSW Public Sector
Youth Justice Conference Convenor Overview
| Position Title | Youth Justice Conference Convenor |
| Organisation/Entity | Department of Communities and Justice |
| Job Location | Across NSW (Kempsey, Gosford, Lismore, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Ashfield, Surry Hills, Orange, Bathurst, Bourke, Walgett, Blacktown, Campbelltown, Penrith & Bega) |
| Work Type | Casual (Statutory Appointee, 3-year appointment) |
| Base Pay | $49.84 per hour |
| Closing Date | 23 February 2025 |
Table of Contents
About the Youth Justice Conference Convenor Casual Opportunity
The Youth Justice Conference Convenor position is a pivotal part of Youth Justice NSW, which operates under the Department of Communities and Justice—an agency dedicated to building safer, stronger communities.
In this role, you will facilitate conferences grounded in restorative justice principles, bringing together young offenders, victims of crime, and the broader community.
Restorative justice is an approach to criminal justice that focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and the community. By providing opportunities for parties to meet and discuss the harm caused, restorative justice aims to repair relationships and foster personal accountability.
By focusing on open communication and collaborative problem-solving, these conferences empower everyone involved to find resolution and move forward.
As a Convenor, you’ll prepare and guide discussions that encourage accountability for young offenders while also addressing the needs of victims and community members.
Facilitating restorative justice is deeply rewarding yet comes with unique challenges. You will work with young offenders who may have limited trust in authority and victims of crime who may feel vulnerable or uncertain about the process. Having strong communication skills is crucial—not only to maintain a respectful and balanced conversation but also to help participants feel safe and heard.
Additionally, navigating the dynamic nature of referrals means scheduling can be unpredictable. Successful Convenors embrace flexibility and time management, recognising that each case requires its own pace and style of engagement.
Reasons to Apply for Youth Justice Conference Convenor
Stepping into a Youth Justice Conference Convenor role offers a unique way to make a genuine difference in public sector recruitment. Unlike many other jobs, you’ll see the direct impact of your work on both young offenders and victims of crime. This community-based approach to justice can be deeply satisfying, especially when you witness participants reaching a constructive resolution.
Moreover, the flexible working arrangements that can come with a casual engagement can fit well with various personal lifestyles.
This statewide recruitment drive offers a fantastic opportunity, with roles available across multiple locations, including Kempsey, Gosford, Lismore, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Ashfield, Surry Hills, Orange, Bathurst, Bourke, Walgett, Blacktown, Campbelltown, Penrith, and Bega, making it accessible to candidates from diverse regions.
Being a statutory appointee also highlights the significance of your responsibilities, adding a layer of professional recognition and credibility. In NSW, a statutory appointee is an individual appointed under legislation to perform specific duties outlined by law. This means your role and responsibilities are defined by legislation, in this case, you are governed by the Young Offenders Act 1997 and YJNSW Policies and Procedures.
The Department of Communities and Justice provides training and development programs, ensuring you’re continually expanding your skills.
Youth Justice Conference Convenor Application Requirements
Application Process
To apply for this Youth Justice Conference Convenor position, you’ll need to submit an online application. Familiarise yourself with how to apply for roles in the NSW Public Sector, noting that this process often involves addressing specific criteria outlined in the official role description.
In your application, you need to include:
- A cover letter of no more than two pages, illustrating your relevant skills and experience.
- An updated resume (up to five pages) detailing your background, focusing on relevant work with young offenders or community programs.
Essential Role Requirements for Youth Justice Conference Convenor
Before you apply, ensure your cover letter addresses these essential role requirements:
- Provisional 2 (or higher) NSW Driver’s licence: to travel between conference locations.
- National Criminal History Check: demonstrating your suitability for working in the NSW Public Sector.
- NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC): required by the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.
- Own personal computer and internet access: for administrative tasks, scheduling, and communications.
- Availability for mandatory training: attend both online and face-to-face sessions as scheduled by Youth Justice NSW.
You may also want to highlight relevant experience in your application. Prior involvement in youth services, restorative justice, or community-based programs can significantly strengthen your candidacy. Demonstrating an ability to engage sensitively with victims of crime is a major advantage. Additionally, familiarity with the NSW Public Sector’s focus capabilities—such as stakeholder engagement, conflict resolution, and effective communication—will help showcase your suitability for this role.
Youth Justice Conference Convenor Application Checklist
| Application Item | Completed? |
| Review the Role Description for essential criteria and focus capabilities | |
| Prepare cover letter (max 2 pages) detailing relevant skills/experience | |
| Update resume (max 5 pages) | |
| Get your cover letter reviewed here | |
| Obtain/verify NSW Working with Children Check Clearance | |
| Check Provisional 2 NSW Driver’s licence validity | |
| Submit application via Department of Communities and Justice careers portal |
Candidate Profile
Meet Elena, a passionate community volunteer who has spent the last few years mentoring teenagers in an after-school program. She has seen the power of positive influences on young people at risk of entering the justice system. With experience navigating sensitive topics like school bullying and family conflicts, she recognises that empathy and fairness can be transformative.
Elena is excited to apply for the Youth Justice Conference Convenor role. She believes her background in youth mentorship, along with her strong communication skills, will help victims of crime and young offenders build a path toward genuine reconciliation. Eager to grow her career within the NSW Public Sector, Elena has made sure her application aligns with the role’s focus capabilities, setting her up as a strong candidate for this unique opportunity.
Example Cover Letter for Youth Justice Conference Convenor
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my keen interest in the Youth Justice Conference Convenor position within the Department of Communities and Justice.
I bring strong organisational skills and a keen ability to navigate sensitive conversations. In my previous role as a Community Outreach Facilitator, I worked closely with youth at risk, mediating conflicts and fostering positive behavioural changes.
One of my key responsibilities was organising and facilitating meetings between young people involved in bullying incidents and their peers in after-school care, helping them acknowledge harm, rebuild relationships, and develop constructive solutions. Additionally, I collaborated with local stakeholders, including cultural groups, law enforcement agencies, and community support services. These experiences have given me the skills to successfully facilitate Youth Justice Conferences, ensuring they align with restorative justice principles and NSW Public Sector expectations.
Additionally, I meet all the essential requirements for this role:
- I hold a full NSW Driver’s licence, allowing me to travel between conference locations as required.
- I am able to obtain a National Criminal History Check.
- I currently hold a valid NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC).
- I have reliable access to a personal computer, internet, and a mobile phone, which allows me to efficiently complete administrative tasks, schedule conferences, and communicate with stakeholders.
- I am fully available to attend all mandatory training sessions.
Throughout my career, I have worked closely with young people to resolve conflicts and guide them towards positive change. The following examples demonstrate my ability to facilitate difficult conversations and implement restorative practices in real-world settings.
While organising a community workshop for teenagers in a high-risk neighbourhood, I noticed a rift forming between two local groups, creating tension and hindering the workshop’s success (Situation). My task was to identify core grievances, encourage open dialogue, and help participants explore mutual interests (Task). To accomplish this, I facilitated a neutral space where each group could speak without interruption and express their concerns openly (Action). Through guided conversation and active listening, both groups reached common ground and agreed on shared workshop goals (Result). This not only salvaged the event but also established a lasting partnership between the community groups.
In another instance, I was responsible for assisting a teenager who had committed a minor offence and was facing potential expulsion from school (Situation). My task was to prevent expulsion by addressing the underlying causes of his actions (Task). I organised one-on-one sessions where the student could reflect on the impact of his offence, both on himself and on the victim (Action). By integrating restorative justice principles, he acknowledged his responsibility, apologised formally to the affected classmates, and developed a plan to prevent future misconduct (Result). The school recognised his sincere efforts and opted to keep him enrolled, ultimately leading to a positive transformation in his attitude.
Both experiences illustrate my aptitude for managing challenging situations involving youth and community members. If given the opportunity to serve as a Youth Justice Conference Convenor, I am eager to contribute my skills to furthering the goals of restorative justice within the NSW Public Sector.
I appreciate your consideration and would welcome the chance to discuss my qualifications further.
Thank you for your time and for the meaningful work you do in supporting young offenders, victims of crime, and the broader community.
Sincerely,
Elena
Explain the STAR Technique
The STAR Technique—Situation, Task, Action, and Result—is a popular method for responding to behavioural or competency-based questions in public sector recruitment. It allows you to structure your cover letter, selection criteria responses, and interviews around clear, concise examples that showcase your capabilities.
In the Youth Justice Conference Convenor context, you can use STAR to highlight how you’ve effectively handled sensitive or challenging scenarios, illustrating your preparedness to work with young offenders and victims of crime.
For instance, begin by describing the Situation (a complex conflict in a youth program), define your Task (facilitating communication or mediation), outline the Action steps you took (organising meetings, encouraging dialogue), and conclude with the Result (successful resolution or a changed perspective). By tying these examples to the specific focus capabilities detailed in the role description, you demonstrate that you have practical experience in doing key parts of the role.
Refer back to the two examples within the cover letter to see how the technique is applied in practical scenarios. The more specific and measurable your results, the more persuasive your case for being an ideal candidate.
How to Prepare for a Public Sector Interview
Public sector interviews focus on demonstrating key capabilities, so preparation is crucial. Follow these steps to stand out:
- Review the Focus Capabilities – Identify the behavioural indicators in the role description to understand what the panel is looking for.
- Brainstorm Examples – Jot down real-life situations that showcase your skills for each capability.
- Match to Indicators – Ensure your examples align with the capability requirements (e.g., keeping customers informed).
- Use the STAR Method – Structure answers with Situation, Task, Action, and Result for clarity.
- Practise & Use Notes – If allowed, refer to notes; otherwise, review them beforehand for a confident, structured response.
Youth Justice Conference Convenor Practice Interview Questions
Using the above process, you should write down some key examples from your history that highlight how you address the requirements of the role. Here are three example questions to consider for this role:
- “Tell us about a time you facilitated a resolution between conflicting parties—how did you ensure fairness and respect for each individual?”
- “How would you handle a situation where a victim of crime felt unsafe or unwilling to participate in a conference?”
- “Can you provide an example of how you maintain cultural awareness when working with diverse communities?”
When answering these questions, use the STAR technique to emphasise your problem-solving skills, empathy, and organisational strengths. Show that you can adapt your approach to each unique scenario while maintaining respect and neutrality.
Below is a brief example answer using the STAR format:
Situation: During a community program, two participants had an argument that escalated quickly due to cultural misunderstandings.
Task: As the facilitator, I needed to calm tensions and restore mutual respect, ensuring the event could continue productively.
Action: I arranged a private discussion with the individuals, allowing each person to share their perspective without interruption. I encouraged them to identify the underlying causes of their conflict and guided them to establish common ground.
Result: They gained deeper cultural appreciation for one another, agreed to cooperate moving forward, and completed the program with newfound respect.
Final Thoughts
The Youth Justice Conference Convenor role is a compelling opportunity to engage directly with young offenders and victims of crime. This is a great opportunity for anyone that wants to get their foot in the door in the public sector, particularly in a Justice or Social Work style environment. There are multiple roles available around the state.
Ready to embark on this rewarding journey? Click here to apply.
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