Please Note: This Recruitment Pool will close at 4:30pm on Friday 12 April 2024.
This is a Recruitment Pool, suitable applicants may be offered positions as vacancies arise across both Metropolitan and Regional locations.
About the role
Psychological Health Service (PHS) sits within the Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs (MHAOD) directorate. This role provides a great opportunity for suitably qualified psychologists and social workers to practice in a unique and dynamic environment. Within metropolitan prisons there are flexible working arrangements with the opportunity for weekend shifts and part-time rosters. Regional prison positions provide you with an opportunity to live and work in regional, rural and remote WA knowing you will be professionally supported through clinical and line supervision, the state-wide PHS team, and as a member of the prison staff.
Salaries are competitive and you will enjoy all WA Public Sector conditions of service. Some regional positions attract allowances and subsidies.
The Prison Counsellor is responsible for applying discipline specific professional knowledge, experience, and skills to provide evidence based clinical assessment and intervention services in response to psychological health needs of prisoners. Prison Counsellors provide consultation and participate in multi-disciplinary risk management processes and case management meetings.
Eligibility.
- A four (4) year qualification in Psychology and general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia; or a four (4) year qualification in Social Work, eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
- A current Working with Children Check or be able to successfully apply for one.
- Possession of a current WA motor vehicle driver’s license.
To be eligible for a permanent appointment to the Western Australian public sector it is essential that you are an Australian citizen or have permanent residency status in Australia. To be eligible for a fixed term appointment you must have documentary evidence of your entitlement to live and work in Australia for the duration of the contract.
All employees are required to undergo employment screening, which includes a National Criminal History Check and other checks that may be relevant to the position requirements.
About us
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.
How to apply
Please ensure you review the attached 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 CV including the contact details of two referees including a current or former Line Manager, and;
- A statement addressing all Role Specific Criteria contained in the Job Description Form. Please provide examples to support your claims.
Essential criteria
- A four (4) year qualification in Psychology and full registration with the Psychology Board of Australia; or a four (4) year qualification in Social Work, eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and a minimum of two (2) years supervised practice in counselling.
- Experience in a Counselling Role.
- Therapeutic Assessment and Intervention Skills.
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills.
- Knowledge and experience working with diversity in client groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) populations.
- Planning and Organisational skills.
Desirable criteria
- Progression towards a Masters or Doctorate level qualification in Forensic/ Clinical/Counselling Psychology or Social Work.
- Accredited Social Worker status from the AASW.
To submit your application, click the “Apply for Job” button at the bottom of this page. Emailed applications will not be accepted.
Open Pool Recruitment
This is an open-ended pool recruitment process which means there is no closing date for applications. We assess candidates on an on-going basis for suitable applicants to be selected to the pool as vacancies arise.
When selected to the pool, the 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.
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 to for a confidential discussion.
Further Information
If you would like further information regarding the position and/or vacancy please contact Jill Taylor, PHS Manager on (08) 9334 6074 for a confidential discussion.
