• Canberra ACT 2600 AU
• $97,182 - $110,708

about The Restorative Justice Unit 

The Restorative Justice Unit (RJU), is located within the Justice Reform Branch of Legislation, Policy and Programs in the JACS Directorate. The RJU is a high-performing, inclusive and dynamic environment which is guided by trauma-informed and restorative practice, both with clients and with each other. The RJU provides innovative and voluntary restorative justice services to persons harmed by an offence, those responsible, and their respective communities, assisting them to journey away from harm and toward healing. This often looks like a meeting between those most affected by an offence. Careful assessment, preparation and facilitation ensures a safe and productive environment to meet and discuss:  what happened; how people are affected; and how to make things better.

In doing so, the RJU aims to:

• Support people who have been harmed by crime, provide a forum for their voice, and empower them to have their needs met in the aftermath
• Repair and strengthen supportive relationships for both persons harmed and persons responsible
• Encourage responsibility-taking by persons responsible
• Identify outcomes which are forward-looking and which address the interests and needs of persons harmed.

about the role

The Convenor plays an integral role in this process by facilitating the restorative justice conferencing process. The Convenor initiates contact with the participants and works with them collaboratively to identify interests, needs and responsibilities arising from the offence. Where assessed as suitable, the Convenor assists the participants to prepare for and take part safely and meaningfully in a conference. The Convenor also monitors any agreements to support persons responsible to follow-through on what they have said they’ll do to address the harm caused.

Convenors work closely with Senior Convenors and the Director to identify and manage risks in relation to conferencing, particularly in cases involving family violence and sexual violence. Additionally, Convenors work closely with the RJU’s Indigenous Convenor and Indigenous Guidance Partner to respond effectively to the needs of First Nations participants. Convenors also work closely with a variety of government and non-government organisations to manage risks and wholistically address the needs of participants.

about you

The RJU is looking for candidates who have an understanding of the criminal justice system and impacts on victims and offenders. Candidates should also understand and apply trauma-informed practices, as well as restorative justice and human rights principles. The successful candidate would ideally have experience in a frontline role with a criminal justice agency, as well as justice-related group facilitation experience.

This position requires a person of high integrity, and who is committed to ethical work practices with a focus on empowering others to create change in their lives. The successful candidate should possess exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, be highly organised, and demonstrate excellent analysis and judgement in relation to management of complex situations.

This role is a unique and rewarding opportunity to work with voluntary clients in an empowering way to address the impacts of harmful behaviour in their lives. Participants who have worked with the RJU Convenors report:

“It was a difficult moment for my family, but RJ allowed us to put the past behind us and look forward to the future.”

“I’m glad I got to see him again [the person responsible], I remembered him as being dangerous, but today he just looked scared. I’ll never forget how scared I felt when he broke in, but now I see him differently and he doesn’t frighten me anymore.”

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people with diverse thoughts, lived experience, and perspectives can thrive and contribute their unique talents to the ACTPS and ACT community. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans, younger and older workers, and people with diverse genders, sexes and sexualities to apply.

Eligibility/Other Requirements: 

• Qualifications in behaviour science or criminology are desirable.
• Qualifications in conflict resolution/mediation are desirable.

Notes: There are several positions available, one position is available immediately until 30 June 2026 with the possibility of permanency; the other to 27 December 2024 with the possibility of extension.

A merit pool will be established from this selection process and may be used to fill future identical vacancies over the next 12 months, including the possibility of permanency.

How to Apply:

Click Apply Now to submit your application. 

For further information, please visit www.jobs.act.gov.au.

A position description is attached.