Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (PYMHWS) is a new, dedicated public youth mental health service and is the first of its kind in Australia. We are looking for a passionate and dedicated individual to join our team.

SENIOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST - CUSTODIAL FYMHS

Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (PYMHWS)

Fixed Term Family Leave Feb – Sept 2026 | Full- Time 1.0 EFT | Parkville & Cherry Creek

Support young people in Youth Justice through specialist OT assessment, intervention and clinical leadership.

• Join Victoria’s newest Public Mental Health Service dedicated to youth
• Full-Time, Fixed-Term Feb – Sept 2026 (Maternity Leave Backfill)
• Salary Packaging | Monthly ADO | 5 weeks Annual Leave

About Us:

Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (PYMHWS) is Victoria’s newest public mental health service dedicated to the care of young people aged 12 to 25 experiencing complex mental health challenges. 

PYMHWS is leading a bold and values-driven transformation in youth mental health care across Melbourne’s north and west. We exist to walk alongside young people, their families, carers, supporters and kin delivering care that is accessible, inclusive, developmentally appropriate, evidence-informed, and grounded in lived experience. Our service model is shaped by the voices of young people and their communities, and underpinned by a commitment to safety, equity, and continuous learning.

At PYMHWS, we are working with our community and partners to build in a future where all young people can access world-class mental health support, close to home. As we grow, we are looking for passionate, skilled, and visionary professionals to join us in shaping a new era of youth mental health in Victoria.  

The Opportunity:

Our service is made up of compassionate, curious and committed people. We are seeking an experienced Senior Occupational Therapist to provide advanced assessment, formulation and evidence-based intervention within our Custodial Forensic Youth Mental Health Service (FYMHS). In this specialised role, you will support young people presenting with complex mental health, neurodevelopmental, cognitive and sensory needs, ensuring culturally safe, developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed care. You’ll work as part of our specialist Neurodevelopmental Disorders team, offering expert consultation, leading functional and sensory assessments, and building capability across our multidisciplinary workforce, custodial staff and partner agencies. You will also contribute to safe, coordinated transitions between Youth Justice and community settings, supporting improved participation, wellbeing and long-term outcomes for young people.

Why Join PYMHWS?

• Be part of building a legacy for youth mental health in Victoria
• Work alongside passionate, visionary leaders in a values-led organisation
• Salary packaging options, up to $11,600 tax free earnings
• 5 weeks annual leave plus monthly ADO for full time employees
• Flexible working arrangements including remote work options where possible
• Employee wellbeing focused, access to EAP
• Fitness Passport membership
• Flexible, inclusive, and supportive workplace culture
• Opportunities for professional growth and development

About the Role:

The Senior Occupational Therapist provides specialist assessment, intervention and care-team consultation for young people in Youth Justice custodial settings. Working across Parkville and Cherry Creek, the role delivers advanced occupational therapy input, supports safe transitions between custody and community, and strengthens multidisciplinary practice through clinical leadership, supervision and consultation. You’ll work closely with Youth Justice, families, allied health and community services to provide integrated, trauma-informed and recovery-focused care for young people with complex mental health and neurodevelopmental needs.

What You’ll Do:

• Provide expert occupational therapy assessment, formulation and intervention for young people in custody, focusing on functional capacity, sensory needs, developmental considerations and meaningful participation.
• Strengthen multidisciplinary practice by offering clinical leadership, supervision, secondary consultation and workforce capability-building across FYMHS, Youth Justice and partner services.
• Support safe, coordinated transitions between custodial and community settings through collaborative care planning, stakeholder engagement and evidence-based recommendations that promote recovery and continuity of care.

About You:

You are a compassionate, skilled and reflective Occupational Therapist with senior-level experience working with young people with complex mental health, behavioural and neurodevelopmental presentations. You have advanced capability in functional, cognitive, sensory and developmental assessment, and can translate these into clear, evidence-based recommendations and treatment plans.

You are confident working in multidisciplinary teams, providing supervision, secondary consultation and clinical leadership. You value trauma-informed, culturally safe and recovery-oriented care, and you build strong relationships with young people, families, Youth Justice and community partners. You bring adaptability, sound judgement and a commitment to continuous learning, quality improvement and improving outcomes for young people in custodial environments.

Ready to Make a Difference?
If you're looking to be part of something truly meaningful—we’d love to hear from you.

For a confidential discussion, contact Caitlin Reid, Talent Acquisition Specialist - 0427 271 857.

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Recruitment is ongoing, with interviews commencing as soon as suitable candidates are received. Advertising may cease prior to the closing date.

To view the full Position Description, please click HERE

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Record Check and a Working with Children Check. Successful applicants will be required to provide evidence of an immunisation assessment prior to commencement.

PYMHWS stands in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in work and care. We are proud to be a workplace that champions diversity, inclusion and equality for our staff and our community.  Our goal is for our people to feel safe, included and supported so that they can be at their best every single day. We encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities to apply to our vacancies, and will consider adjustments to support such applications.