✨ Accelerate Your Public Sector Career: A Rapid Overview of the Justice and Community Safety Directorate (JACS) ✨
Introduction
Are you exploring dynamic, meaningful work in government? Looking for an organisation that blends community safety, legal expertise, and innovative public service? You’re in the right place! This quick-read article spotlights the Justice and Community Safety Directorate (JACS) in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT)—a one-stop overview that saves you from plowing through lengthy annual reports. Let’s dive in! 🚀
AT-A-GLANCE:
Name of Department / Council: Justice and Community Safety Directorate (JACS)
Location: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (with Australia-wide responsibilities through intergovernmental initiatives)
CEO: Director-General Richard Glenn
Total Revenue: $514.84 million (2023–24)
Total Number of Employees: 2,496 full-time equivalent (approx.)
Note on Data: The JACS Annual Report indicates JACS’s total income for 2023–24 (the ‘Controlled’ category) was $514.84 million. The headcount of staff is reported in the aggregate, but approximates 2,400–2,500.
*(Source: JACS 2023–24 Annual Report)
DID YOU KNOW?
JACS spans crucial services from emergency response (fire, ambulance, rural rescue) to corrective services (managing the Alexander Maconochie Centre), legal drafting, community law programs, and more. This diverse scope invites a wide range of skill sets, from paramedics to policy officers. 🌏
THE QUALIFICATION, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO
Top 5 Academic Qualifications:
Law (LLB, JD)
Ideal for roles in legal policy, prosecution, government advising, and legislative drafting.Criminology/Justice Studies
Helps in offender management, community safety initiatives, and corrections.Paramedicine/Health Sciences
Perfect for frontline work in the ACT Ambulance Service and emergency management.Business / Public Administration
Crucial for strategic planning, budget analysis, and cross-agency policy.Social Sciences (e.g., Psychology, Sociology)
Vital for restorative justice, rehabilitation, and broader community outreach.
Top 5 Certifications:
Project Management (PMP, PRINCE2)
Essential for coordinating multi-year capital works and policy initiatives.First Aid / CPR
Useful across emergency and correctional settings, plus community-facing roles.Conflict Resolution / Mediation
Central to offender rehabilitation, community mediation, and victim support.Leadership & Management (Certificate IV, Diploma)
Supports supervisory roles and fosters collaboration across JACS branches.Government Security & Protective Services
Relevant to intelligence gathering, security monitoring, and protective policy.
Top 5 Trades / Professions:
Firefighters
Serve with ACT Fire & Rescue for essential community safety and frontline response.Paramedics
Deliver critical health services through the ACT Ambulance Service.Legal Professionals (Solicitors, Prosecutors)
Contribute to robust legislative drafting, policy shaping, and public prosecution.Correctional Officers
Oversee detainee management at the Alexander Maconochie Centre, focusing on reintegration and rehabilitation.ICT Specialists
Maintain and modernise the digital systems vital to emergency services, courts, and more.
Top 5 Skills:
Soft Skills: Clear communication, empathy, resilience, teamwork, and adaptability.
Technical Skills: Proficiency in case management software (e.g., CORIS®), data analysis, legislative drafting, ICT/cybersecurity, and paramedical expertise.
General Skills: Problem-solving, time management, policy interpretation, and stakeholder engagement.
Top 5 Work Experiences:
Government / Public Sector
Familiarity with administrative processes and compliance frameworks.Legal Practice or Paralegal
Great for roles involving legislation, human rights, and policy development.Emergency Services / Defence
Experience with crisis response, leadership under pressure, and advanced training.Community / Social Work
Overlaps with victim support, offender rehabilitation, and restorative justice.Administration / Project Coordination
Vital in large directorates managing multiple concurrent projects.
THE KEY FACTS
Name of Department: Justice and Community Safety Directorate
Name of CEO: Richard Glenn, Director-General
Location: Canberra, ACT (serving the ACT region, with national collaboration)
Year Founded: 2009 (in its current configuration)
Main Mission and Purpose:
To maintain the rule of law, promote community safety, protect legal and human rights, deliver high-quality emergency services, and ensure timely access to justice.
Real-World Example: Through the ACT Emergency Services Agency (within JACS), the government supports bushfire readiness, paramedical response, and storm rescue, safeguarding the local community.
Main Duties of the Organisation:
Providing corrections services and offender rehabilitation.
Managing emergency services (fire, ambulance, rural rescue, and state emergency).
Delivering legal and policy advice, legislative drafting, and community law initiatives (e.g., restorative justice conferences).
Real-World Example: JACS also facilitates community-based programs that address domestic violence, ensuring offenders and victims have access to swift legal processes, support, and potential restorative outcomes.
Key Projects, Key Strategic Priorities, Future Plans and Initiatives:
Strengthening legislative reforms and protective security measures.
Upgrading and expanding emergency facilities in areas like Molonglo Valley and Gungahlin.
Boosting rehabilitation and bail support programs at the Alexander Maconochie Centre to reduce recidivism.
Integrating digital transformation for courts, legal services, and first responders.
THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE
Total Number of Employees: Approx. 2,496 FTE
Total Number of Employees at Each Pay Level: From entry-level administrative officers and operational staff to senior officers, executives, legal counsel, and frontline first responders.
Salary Bands: Generally range from $60,000 to $480,000 per annum (depending on the classification and seniority).
Average Salary in the Directorate: ~$115,000 (estimated across multiple branches).
Total Revenue: $514.84 million (2023–24)
Average Revenue per Employee: Around $206,000 (approx. total revenue / total FTE).
(Note: These figures align with the latest 2023–24 data from JACS’s published financial statements. The final numbers may vary based on updates in each new budget cycle.)
GETTING A JOB AT JACS
Which Academic Subjects?
Certificate / Diploma Level:
Community Services, Emergency Medical Services, Administration, Project Management
Bachelor / Master Level:
Law, Criminology, Social Work, Paramedicine, Public Policy, Accounting/Finance
PhDs:
Legal Research, Public Administration, Data Analytics in Emergency Services, Criminal Justice Policy
Which Trades and Professions?
Trades: Electricians, mechanics, and IT technicians—crucial for emergency vehicle and system maintenance.
Professions: Legal practitioners, paramedics, firefighters, correctional officers, security intelligence analysts, policy and project managers.
Which Work Experiences?
Government sector backgrounds (local, state, or federal)
Legal or paralegal experience
Defence or protective services
Community outreach and case management
Large-scale project coordination or administration
Which Skills?
Soft Skills: Communication, resilience, empathy, conflict resolution, teamwork
Technical Skills: Legal drafting, paramedic methods, firefighting procedures, data analytics, ICT/cybersecurity
General Skills: Organisation, policy interpretation, multi-stakeholder liaison, adaptation to evolving government frameworks
Which Hobbies and Interests Align?
Volunteering in local communities or with the ACT Rural Fire Service
Outdoor fitness / sports, ideal for front-line readiness
Leadership clubs or mentorship roles
Policy & governance discussions showing a genuine interest in law, administration, and public affairs
Want more information on this organisation?
Contact the organisation:
Phone: +61 2 6207 0000
Email: JACSLegal@act.gov.au
Address: Justice and Community Safety Directorate, ACT Government, GPO Box 158, Canberra City ACT 2601
Website:
https://www.justice.act.gov.au
Careers / Current Job Vacancies: https://www.jobs.act.gov.au (search “Justice and Community Safety”)
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DISCLAIMER
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available information, including annual reports. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the information on this article. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this article.