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 two positions available, one at L2SC and one at L3SC.
Are you passionate about making a difference in the Western Australian justice system?
We want to hear from you.
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
The Communication Partner Program is looking to grow our team with dedicated and compassionate speech pathologists, social workers, psychologists or occupational therapists looking to make a meaningful impact in the criminal justice setting.
The Communication Partner Program is a ground-breaking initiative in Western Australia specializing in supporting vulnerable persons throughout the court process.
As a Communication Partner you will be an independent and impartial communication specialist who is trained, accredited and will be responsible for assessing the communication needs of mentally impaired accused or supervised persons who come before the court and Mental Impairment Review Tribunal.
Becoming a Communication Partner is an exciting opportunity to be part of one of the most substantial changes to the way mental illness and mental impairment is dealt with in the Western Australian criminal justice system, under the new provisions of the Criminal Law (Mental Impairment Act) 2023.
Similar roles and programs, often referred to as intermediaries or witness intermediaries, currently exist with great success in other jurisdictions around Australia, and the world.
The Communication Partner Program is based in the Court Counselling and Support Services team within the Department of Justice. As part of our team, you will play a crucial role in ensuring that vulnerable persons receive fair and equitable treatment within the WA criminal justice system.
The Communication Partner Level 2SC, is responsible for providing advice to the courts and the Tribunal relating to communication with an accused or supervised person.
The Senior Communication Partner Level 3SC, is responsible for providing advice to the courts and the Tribunal relating to communication with an accused or supervised person. The position also mentors the development of other Communication Partners and contributes to the education and training of various stakeholders on best practices for supporting individuals with communication challenges in legal contexts.
Eligibility
Permanent Positions - 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.
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.
Special Conditions - Possession of a current WA Motor Vehicle Driver’s Licence.
Qualifications – Successful Applicants must have an accredited tertiary qualification in one or more of the following areas:
- Accredited qualification in Psychology and eligibility for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA);
- Tertiary qualification in Social Work and eligible for full membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers or the Society of Professional Social Workers;
- Tertiary qualification in Occupational Therapy and eligibility for registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia;
- Tertiary qualification in Speech Pathology and full membership of Speech Pathology Australia (SPA);
- Or another relevant field.
Benefits and opportunities
- Flexible working arrangements
- Career pathway opportunities
- Learning and development opportunity programs
- Health and wellbeing programs including Fitness passport providing a wide range of gym, pool, and fitness centre discounts available for employees and their families
- Check out the attached Applicant Information Pack to find out other benefits of working for Justice
Application process
How to apply
Please ensure you review the attached Job Description Forms (JDF) for further information about the requirements of the positions. This information will assist you with the preparation of your application.
We require you to submit:
- A comprehensive Resume / Curriculum Vitae, that clearly outlines your transferable skills, experience and highlights your key achievements, including contact details of two (2) work related referees.
- A copy of your current relevant tertiary qualification as set out in the above eligibility section.
- A statement of no more than four (4) pages, that clearly states your application being for the L2SC pool, or the L3SC pool, or both pools, and addresses your suitability for the role with regard to the following Role Specific Criteria. Please provide examples to support your claims:
If applying for L3SC pool or both pools, address the following:
- High level knowledge and skills in undertaking assessments and providing support and intervention.
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders.
- Highly developed conceptual, analytical and decision-making skills.
- Highly developed written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
If applying for L2SC pool, address the following:
- Highly developed written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Knowledge and skills in undertaking assessments and providing support and intervention.
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders.
Pool Recruitment
This pool will be open for a period of twelve (12) months from the day after the breach of standard claim period closes. Permanent, fixed term and full 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.
Equity and Diversity
The Department of Justice is committed to building a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion. We actively promote the employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, youth, people of diverse sexualities and genders, women, culturally and linguistically diverse people, and other diversity groups.
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 adjustments or accessibility support at any stage of the selection process can contact the hiring manager as listed under the ‘For Further Job Related Information’ section or contact the Diversity and Inclusion team on WorkforceDiversity@justice.wa.gov.au or (08) 9264 1700 for a confidential discussion.
For Further Job Related Information
If you would like further information regarding the vacancy please contact Jolin Edmondson, Manager, Communication Partner Program on 0458 263 567 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.
