Join the Department of Youth Justice and Victim Support as a Deputy Director Client Services and lead high-impact client services within the purpose-built Woodford Youth Detention Centre. Based in Brisbane CBD and Wacol initially with flexible working options and a view to be permanently based in Woodford, you will provide strategic leadership and innovation, professional oversight, and operational guidance to ensure the delivery of high-quality, coordinated client services, and will play a critical part in addressing the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in the Youth Justice system.

This permanent, full-time role offers a rewarding opportunity to provide safe and purposeful detention to youth and contribute to safer Queensland communities. Mandatory requirements of the role include a relevant qualification and a valid Blue Card.

Job details

About the Centre 

Situated in Woodford, Moreton Bay, the WYDC is well-connected to Brisbane and surrounding areas via major highways, making it accessible for families, staff and services, with minimal disruption to surrounding communities.

It features holistic and functional design elements which aim to support rehabilitation of youth and enhance community safety. Key features include:

• 112 beds, split across two 56-bed campuses with shared facilities 
• Smaller, home-like accommodation units (8 or fewer beds per unit) to foster collaboration between young people, staff, and stakeholders 
• Consultation and treatment rooms 
• Multipurpose spaces for education, skills development, and training 
• Areas for physical activity and green spaces 
• Dedicated spaces for cultural connection, faith, and spiritual support

Key responsibilities 

As the Deputy Director Client Services, you will specifically:

• Support the construction, commissioning, and operationalising of the centre.
• Support the development of the build and furnishings, fixtures and equipment to be fit for purpose, and maintain the safety and security of the centre and support rehabilitation for young people. 
• Manage the recruitment and selection activities for a range of client services roles for the centre and ensure the early onboarding of staff to support commissioning activities.

Once the centre is opened, you will: 

• Provide strategic leadership, foster collaboration, and deliver high-quality, culturally responsive client services that support the rehabilitation and reintegration of young people in the Youth Justice system.  
• Provide leadership and inform operational practices to ensure individual needs of young people are appropriately responded to within a secure environment.

As an executive your performance will be assessed according to key accountability perspectives: 

• Strategic Leadership and Oversight 
• Collaborative Stakeholder Engagement 
• Youth Rehabilitation and Reintegration 
• Cultural Capability and Inclusivity 
• Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement 
• Supervision and Capability Building 
• Program and Project Management

Mandatory requirements of the role include a relevant qualification in a human services or related field, and a valid Blue Card.

Applications to remain current for 12 months.

Job Ad Reference: QLD/688736/26

Closing Date: Tuesday, 9th June 2026

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

Please ensure you download all attachments and follow the instructions on how to apply.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• 688736-26-Role Description (Word, 138KB)
  Role Description