Senior Policy Officer

Location: Goulburn St, Sydney CBD, with hybrid working options availableEmployment Type: 1 x ongoing full-time role and 1x Temporary full-time opportunity for up to 6 months with possibility for extensionSalary: Clerk Grade 9/10 $133,348 to $146,945pa. + super + leave loading

Your role

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to policy initiatives that support the delivery of key government priorities across Court Services. Court Services supports the administration and operation of the Local Court, District Court, Coronial Jurisdiction, Children's Court and Drug Court across New South Wales. As a Senior Policy Officer within the Strategy, Planning and Engagement team, you will research and analyse complex and emerging issues, develop practical options and recommendations and prepare high-quality advice for senior executives and other stakeholders. You will work across Court Services and with other areas of government to progress policy and legislative reform, support strategic priorities and ensure proposed changes consider the practical implications for courts and court users.

What You’ll Do

As part of Courts, Tribunals and Service Delivery, you will:

Research and analyse policy, legislative and strategic issues affecting Court Services and develop evidence-based options and recommendations. Prepare high-quality briefs, correspondence, reports and other advice for senior executives and other stakeholders. Contribute to the development of policy and legislative reform and practical policy solutions that improve outcomes for courts, court users and the community.Examine emerging issues and identify their potential policy, operational and strategic implications for Court Services. Work closely with court jurisdictions, operational areas, policy teams and other stakeholders to gather information and develop practical responses.Contribute to responses to Ministerial, executive and other high-priority requests.Build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders across DCJ, NSW Government and the justice sector.Support the delivery of policy projects and government commitments within agreed timeframes.

You'll join a collaborative and high-performing team that values innovation, integrity and continuous improvement. The role offers variety, exposure to complex policy issues, and the opportunity to contribute to initiatives that have a direct impact on the justice sector and wider community.

What We’re Looking For

We're looking for a motivated policy professional who can analyse complex information, develop practical solutions and communicate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.

You Will Be Able To

research and analyse policy, legislative and strategic issues and develop practical options and recommendations. prepare clear, concise and high-quality advice for senior executives and other stakeholders. build effective working relationships and consult with stakeholders to inform policy development.manage competing priorities and deliver quality work within required timeframes exercise sound judgement when dealing with sensitive, urgent or emerging issues.

Relevant Tertiary Qualifications Or Equivalent Experience Is Required.

Experience or knowledge relating to policy development, law reform, legislative processes, court processes, court registry operations or the justice system is highly desirable.

Download the role description

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply.

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

A challenging and rewarding careerFlexible, autonomous work environmentCompetitive pay and conditionsTraining and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilitiesHealth & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

Work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.

Are you ready to join us

Click apply

Attach an up-to-date resume (max 5 pages) and a Cover letter (max 2 pages) briefly outlining how you meet the requirements of the role.

During the online application process, you will be asked to provide a response to the following targeted question:

Describe a complex issue involving legislation, policy or a strategic initiative that you have researched and analysed. What approach did you take, what challenges did you encounter and what outcome was achieved?

Applications close 9th September 2026 at 11:59pm

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Jennifer Saouma on 0422 699 469 or at Jennifer.Saouma@justice.nsw.gov.au

If you have any questions about the application process or would like to request a recruitment adjustment (for example submitting your application in a different format), please call Dean on 02 9765 3526 or email the recruiter.

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/