This recruitment pool will run for a period of twelve (12) months and may be used to fill ongoing fixed term contracts and permanent opportunities.
Currently, there are 3 permanent position(s) available for immediate filling.
Are you looking for a new and unique career opportunity?
We are seeking motivated psychologists, who are passionate about improving the lives of young people and their families to join our clinical team.
Graduates are encouraged to apply!
About Justice
When you join the Department of Justice, you become part of a people-focused organisation, working hard to make our community a fairer and safer place to live. We offer many different employment opportunities in locations around Western Australia. You will have a chance to make a real difference to your local communities and to the lives of those you work with.
About the role
This is your chance to join Youth Justice Psychological Services during this new and exciting time of change.
Be part of a highly supportive team of multidisciplinary professionals, working together to enact change for young people – both in detention and in the community.
Our team of psychologists provide assessment and intervention for young people throughout Western Australia. Youth Justice Psychological Services provides both individual and group interventions. We utilise evidence-based frameworks to reduce offending and improve the trajectory for young people in the Youth Justice system. Psychologists in Youth Justice develop skills working with complex young people with a variety of challenges including mental health, neurodevelopmental, complex trauma and a range of offending patterns.
Our team works in both custody and in community centres. The role is diverse and incorporates clinical intervention, forensic assessment and consultation. You will be supported to develop your capacity to apply forensic instruments, assessment and intervention. For psychologists working in custody, you will have opportunities to provide through-care interventions to clients as they exit custody and into the community. For psychologists working in community centres, you will have opportunities to provide through-care interventions for clients who may enter custody. Opportunities for travel to all areas within WA are available, with the chance to learn about and engage first-hand with Indigenous cultures from around the state. In all settings, you will work with many individual clients and get involved in interagency strategies to create change.
Working in Custody.
In custody, we are currently offering brand new services and implementing an enhanced model of care. The model reflects best practice in Youth Justice and will focus on rehabilitation through a trauma-informed, therapeutic approach. Some initiatives, that operate alongside of Youth Justice Psychological Services:
- The establishment of the Neurodevelopmental and Mental Health Service in custody. This team works alongside Youth Justice Psychological Services and includes neuropsychologists, a psychiatrist, a speech pathologist, paediatric services and increased access to clinical nurse specialists;
- The intensive mentoring program in the centre, which is available to assist the centre to meet the needs of young people with complex needs;
- A diverse range of therapeutic programs, including art therapy, trauma informed yoga, and therapy animal programs;
- Creation of an Aboriginal Services Unit, which includes additional Aboriginal Youth Support Officers, Aboriginal Support Officers, Aboriginal Mental Health workers and a Manager Aboriginal Services;
- Increasing access for young people to cultural programs and activities;
- A new rewards and incentives program, based on best practice;
- A partnership with Telethon Kids Institute, which will look to enhance a research focus in Youth Justice, provide additional training for staff and review assessment processes with young people.
- The development of a new Crises Care (Trauma Informed) Unit at Banksia Hill Detention Centre.
To give you a taste of Banksia Hill Detention Centre the following links provide a picture of some of the programs and initiatives currently occurring at Banksia Hill.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/justicewagov_canine-character-rescue-dog-jimbo-brings-activity-7101815849904214017-dHtI?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/justicewagov_external-programs-are-resuming-at-banksia-activity-7066653937902252032-5riR?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios
Working in the Community.
Many young people in Youth Justice are placed on Community-based orders and are case-managed by Youth Justice staff who work in community centres, alongside psychologists. Young people who are involved with Youth Justice often have complex needs. They may have experienced trauma, have psycho-social challenges, neurodevelopmental difficulties and mental health concerns.
In Community Youth Justice centres, psychologists are highly valued for their expertise and provide; assessment, evidence-based interventions and consultation, in order to reduce offending. Psychologists also prepare Pre-sentence assessments and Fitness to Stand Trial assessments for the Children’s Courts across the state. Psychologists work in both the metropolitan area and regionally. Opportunities for fly-in, fly-out work are also available for those interested.
Eligibility
Permanent positions
To be eligible for appointment to permanent positions in the West Australian Public Sector you must be an Australian citizen or have permanent resident status in Australia.
WWC positions
In accordance with the National Child Safety Principles, people who work directly with children and young people, you must have a current Working with Children Check or be able to successfully apply for one to be eligible for appointment to this position.
Qualifications
- A tertiary qualification is required in line with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
- Holds ‘Full Registration’ with AHPRA; AND
- Eligibility to commence the Registrar program as a Clinical / Counselling / Forensic Psychologist
OR;
- A tertiary degree qualification in Psychology; AND
- Holds ‘General Registration’ as a Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Please note that for the positions at Specified Calling Level 3, full registration with the AHPRA with endorsement as a Clinical/ Counselling/ Forensice Psychologist is required.
Benefits and opportunities
- Fast track your psychology career. You will have access to learning and development opportunities, with high quality supervision at no additional cost, funded professional development opportunities, study leave of up to 5 days per year to attend approved external professional development, and strong team support.
- AHPRA registration cost paid by the department (conditions apply)
- Registrars and psychologists with general registration are encouraged to apply with easy capacity to achieve client contact hours.
- For those psychologists who are more experienced, this is a great opportunity to expand your experience and focus on driving and supporting systemic change to assist clients.
- Experience and travel around Regional WA combined with paid travel and accommodation, organised by the Department. Note: Travelling regionally is optional, for those interested and willing.
- Career pathway opportunities. These include opportunities to develop into supervisory positions (with board approved supervisor training funded for those eligible), or leadership / management roles (such as Team Leader Psychologist roles).
- Relocation costs for applicants relocating from Interstate or New Zealand (conditions apply).
- Enjoy job security whilst working for the Public Sector. Salary sacrificing options are available.
- Check out the attached Applicant Information Pack to find out other benefits of working for Justice.
The challenge of producing better outcomes for young people in custody and the community is an important priority and we are seeking motivated clinicians at all levels of experience to join our team and contribute to better outcomes for young people in our care.
We are looking for both Clinical, Counselling or Forensic Psychologists AND Psychologists who hold General Registration with AHPRA, who are ready to make a meaningful difference. This is your chance to switch to a rewarding and challenging career to deliver psychological assessment, interventions, consultation and advice to young people and their families.
Application process
How to apply
Please ensure you review the attached Job Description Form (JDF) for further information about the requirements of the position. This information will assist you with the preparation of your application.
We require you to submit:
- A current, comprehensive Curriculum Vitae / Resume that highlights your employment history and suitability for the role against the Essential Selection Criteria skills contained in the JDF.
- Contact details of two referees.
- A copy of your current qualification and registration(s) as set out under the above Eligibility section.
Pool Recruitment
This pool will be open for a period of 12 months from the day after the breach of standard claim period closes. Permanent, fixed term, full time and part time appointments may be offered as vacancies arise; however, an appointment is not guaranteed.
The Department of Justice uses recruitment pools to build a bank of talent for future opportunities. Applicants found suitable in this pool, may be considered for subsequent, similar vacancies, with the Department of Justice for the duration of the pool.
Candidate Search
If required, we may choose to supplement the field of applications by conducting a candidate search.
For further job-related information
We encourage you to attend one of our virtual information sessions where you can interact online with experienced staff and ask questions about the role and the recruitment process.
To book for an information session with one of our psychology managers please email Andrew Macdonald, Principal Psychologist (Community), Andrew.Macdonald@justice.wa.gov.au If you would like further information regarding the position and/or vacancy please contact Andrew Macdonald, Principal Psychologist (Community) on (08) 9227 2545 for a confidential discussion.
Equity and Diversity
The Department of Justice is committed in building a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion. We actively promote the employment of Aboriginal Australians, people with disability, youth, and other diversity groups. People with disability will be provided with reasonable adjustments in our recruitment processes and in the workplace.
Aboriginal job seekers may contact the Aboriginal Workforce Development Team on aboriginalworkforcedevelopment@justice.wa.gov.au or call (08) 9264 1700 for culturally appropriate application advice.
Applicants with disability requiring adjustment or accessibility requirements at any stage of the selection process can contact the hiring manager as listed under the ‘Further Information’ section or contact WorkforceDiversity@justice.wa.gov.au or call (08) 9264 1700 for a confidential discussion
Submitting your application
Applicants are requested to apply online. To submit your application, click the “Apply for Job” button at the bottom of this advertisement.
Please ensure you allow sufficient time to submit your application, as late applications will not be accepted.
If you are having difficulty submitting your online application, please telephone RAMS Helpdesk ramshelpdesk@bigredsky.com on 1300 733 056 for assistance.
To keep you up to date on what is happening in Department of Justice and job opportunities you can go directly to the departments website or follow us on social media.
The Department of Justice has introduced a smoke-free policy, which has been fully implemented across all women’s prisons and the Academy, with all other prison sites to follow before the end of 2025.
