Are you looking for a rewarding and challenging career where you can provide vital front-line support and advocacy for at risk children and youth in your community?
The Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services currently have permanent entry-level Child Safety Officer (CSO) roles across Cairns.
This is a diverse and rewarding role where you will put children first and support their safety and rights. Based in a Child Safety Service Centre (CSSC), you will work closely with other CSOs reporting to, and supported by, your Senior Team Leader. You will collaborate with Child Safety Support Officers (CSSOs) and Cultural Practice Advisors (CPAs) in your CSSC to ensure children and young people’s safety across your region.
We have multiple teams across Cairns that service the surrounding communities.
What Does Being a CSO Mean?
As a CSO, you will be responsible for delivering statutory child protection services including assessment, intervention, casework, and case management in accordance with legislation and practice guidelines. Your diverse role can involve working with children in temporary care, children in their home, children in foster care, their parents, families, communities, and guardians.
Our CSOs work across the whole child protection continuum, and when you join us as an entry-level CSO, you will receive both formal and ongoing training to set you up for success as you work through this continuum to provide support and advocacy for children and young people.
This continuum encompasses but is not limited to:

• Work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team, to provide integrated child protection practices including intake, assessment, intervention, casework, and complex case management
• Build professional relationships with children, parent, guardians, colleagues, stakeholders, and service providers
• Demonstrate commitment to maintaining cultural capability, engaging in self-directed learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and contributing to a culturally safe and inclusive workplace
• Maintain accurate case records in line with departmental policies, statutory responsibilities, and the child protection practice framework
• Use evidence-based practices and actively participate in continuous learning, training, and professional development to stay updated on contemporary practices

To learn more about the CSO role, please click Apply.
Cultural capability and understanding the complex and nuanced cultural aspects of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families is important across Queensland. In the Far North this is a key priority, as over 80% of the families we work with identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
What you get for Becoming an Entry-Level CSO:
This is an important role where you will walk away each day with the reward of knowing that you’re making a tangible difference to the safety of children in Queensland.

• An attractive annual salary in line with PO3 circa $95,757 - $104,278
• 12.75% superannuation
• Flexible leave and TOIL options
• 2 weeks of formal training and ongoing training throughout the first year of your role
• Clear opportunities for career growth and progression including leadership or joining different teams

Working in Cairns, you will receive further benefits including:

• Incentive payment of $2,500 annually
• Fortnightly locality allowance of up to $50.70 (dependent on personal circumstances)
• 25 days recreation leave annually

For more information on the benefits of becoming a CSO, including regional incentives, please click Apply
Our CSOs agree, the biggest benefit of being a CSO is the job itself. Here are what some of our CSSC staff had to say:
“What keeps me going? The beautiful smile that comes on a staff member’s face when they talk about the real difference they’re making. One young person who the department has been working with joined the ADF, and the CSO was there when they got their acceptance. You don’t get that anywhere else.”
“I’m really proud that I’ve been able to help staff pave their careers. That’s one of the great things about our organisation - you can refine your skills then have opportunities to pursue your passion.”
“People here are very caring and very passionate. We all have a shared sense of purpose and more often than not, people look out for each other. There's a real sense of camaraderie within specific teams.”
What you Need to be a CSO
When you join our team, you will be part of a team of passionate and dedicated advocates across Queensland. While this role is incredibly rewarding and important, it is a challenging frontline role and you will need to be resilient as you may be exposed to confronting situations.
To join us as an entry-level CSO you will need:

• An Australian Driver’s License, either Open or P2
• The right to work in Australia as a Citizen, Resident, or on a current visa that allows you to work
• A Bachelor Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology or another related field – please click Apply for more details
• Alternatively, you will hold an unrelated Bachelor Degree and at least 12 months work experience in a relevant field – please click Apply for more details
• The ability to write accurate and comprehensive reports while protecting identities and personal data
• An understanding of what working in a statutory role means, including knowledge of the Child Protection Act 1999

For more information about qualifications, please click here.
This role involves relationship building and maintenance, across your team and the CSSC, as well as with parents, children, and guardians. As such, you will have excellent relationship-building skills and a high-level of empathy, while still being aware of and following professional boundaries.
Why Work in Cairns?
Far North Queensland is a diverse region of Australia, known for stunning beaches, the Great Barrier Reef and ancient rainforests.
Cairns brings together the best of all the far north has to offer with all the natural beauty and charm of the region, rich culture and history, and all of the amenities and facilities of a large regional city. Cairns is a welcoming, multicultural city serviced by an international airport, multiple shopping centres, and state and private hospitals and schools. Enjoy the tropical climate and beaches, laid-back atmosphere and amazing outdoor lifestyle with waterfalls, walking tracks and all the sporting facilities and clubs you could wish for. There is also a thriving arts and creative scene across the Cairns area, not to mention quality restaurants and hospitality venues.
This unique combination creates a strong culture in each of our CSSCs in the Cairns area, with staff working in collaboration with young people, families and the community. To work in and be part of the local community is truly a unique experience.
When you join our team, you could have the opportunity to travel to nearby areas to help families for the day, or even occasionally fly to remote areas across Far North Queensland to provide invaluable support to children and families.
Working in Child Protection, you will have an instant insight into the lives of the community you work with, and while this can be challenging, the highly diverse range of work you will undertake makes it incredibly rewarding, and a great way to start your CSO career.
Every child needs someone. So does every family. What if it’s you? Kick-start your career in Child Safety - click Apply Now!
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $95,747.00 – $104,278.00 per year
Benefits:

• Housing allowance
• Relocation assistance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person