Psychologist and Social Workers roles in Corrections

Psychologists/social workers perform an important role in the support and rehabilitation of offenders by providing professional input into appropriate management, treatment plans and Parole Board reports.

Job requirements

Experience as an unconditionally registered psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (for Professional 3 and Senior Professional Officer 1), or as a social worker that is eligible for Australian Association of Social Work membership.
Experience in the administration and interpretation of clinical and forensic assessment tools.
Knowledge of current best-practice trends in offender assessment and rehabilitation, and experience in clinical services, including individual and group intervention.
High-level written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex matters succinctly.
Interpersonal skills, including communicating effectively and interacting with Indigenous clients and other culturally diverse groups.
Sound organisational ability to self-manage performance and work with initiative to achieve outcomes.
Capacity to work effectively in a busy environment and manage complex client caseloads within a multi-disciplinary team.
All positions require a police fingerprint check and pre-employment probity clearance; proof of qualifications and relevant registration/membership required.

Remuneration scale

Professional Officer 2

$100,577 - $119,923

Remuneration package (Including salary $90,204 - $107,554)

Professional Officer 3

$123,623 - $138,453

Remuneration package (Including salary $110,873 - $124,173)

Senior Professional Officer 1

$143,334 - $160,126

Remuneration package (Including salary $128,551 - $143,611)

Role responsibilities

undertake specialised clinical assessments, including criminogenic risk and needs assessments
develop clinical formulations and appropriate treatment plans, applying relevant assessment instruments, interpret results
develop clinical plans, clinical assessment reports and contribute to the evaluation of clinical interventions
write assessment and treatment reports for prisoners in custody
maintain appropriate case notes on individual prisoners during their treatment
facilitate individual and group based offence specific and offence related programs for prisoners
Work within a co-facilitation model where clinicians work alongside a cultural expert when working with prisoners
generate psychological and risk assessment reports for various stakeholders including Courts, Parole Board etc
develop, deliver and formally evaluate therapeutic and offence specific program manuals pertinent to high risk offenders
liaise with prison and community corrections management, sentencing authorities, professional bodies and other relevant parties on matters pertaining to the assessment of risk and/or treatment of offending behaviours.

Job benefits

Professional development allowance and in-house professional development opportunities
Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) reimbursement for new recruits scheme (determination 1015 of 2022)
Payment of AHPRA registration and APS/AASW membership fees
Provision of regular individual and group clinical supervision, including ability to negotiate supervision for 5+1 registration pathway and/or clinical/forensic endorsement with the Psychology Board of Australia
Support to attain Board Approved Supervisor status with the Psychology Board of Australia
Ability to negotiate Flexible Work Arrangements
Ability to negotiate Study Assistance for relevant qualifications including financial assistance and paid leave options
Work with a culturally and linguistically diverse population with complex presentations
Work within a multidisciplinary team to improve community safety through provision of high-quality and evidence-based forensic clinical practice