Overview
Position number: Pool Ref 231996
Work type: Permanent - Part Time, Permanent - Full Time, Fixed Term - Full Time, Fixed Term - Part Time
Location: Various Regional Prisons
Salary: L2SC, $112,266 - $123,008 p.a. plus 12% superannuation (PSCA 2024)
Closing date: 2026-08-12 4:30 PM (YYYY-MM-DD)
Attachments: - Job Description Form - Prison Counsellor.pdf
Application process: This is an open-ended pool recruitment process. Open to suitable applicants for vacancies as they arise. The process runs for a period of 12 months and suitable applicants may be offered permanent or fixed term positions as vacancies arise. View and print attachments by downloading Adobe Reader.
Current vacancies: There are 3 permanent positions available for immediate filling at Greenough Regional Prison, Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison and West Kimberley Regional Prison. Relocation supports available to Interstate, Intrastate, and New Zealand applicants.
About the role: Are you a Social Worker or Psychologist interested in utilising your clinical skills in a unique work environment? You will work with people in custody to build resilience, promote psychological health, and support transition planning. The Prison Counsellor will undertake clinical risk and psychological assessments, provide counselling, and contribute to the broader offender rehabilitation and public safety mission.
About Justice: When you join the Department of Justice, you become part of a people-focused organisation committed to a fairer and safer community. We offer diverse opportunities across Western Australia and support staff development and community impact.
Responsibilities
The Psychological Health Service undertakes clinical assessment and intervention for individuals held on remand and prisoners, including those who are:
* At acute risk of suicide or self-harm
* At chronic risk of suicide or self-harm or otherwise vulnerable within the prison system
* With mental health issues
* Having difficulties coping, adjusting to prison, or in transition to release
The Prison Counsellor applies discipline-specific professional knowledge to provide evidence-based clinical assessment and intervention services, participates in multi-disciplinary risk management processes and case meetings. If appointed, there is scope to transfer to metropolitan prison positions with supervision and state-wide PHS support.
Salaries are competitive and WA Public Sector conditions apply.
Eligibility and Qualifications
Qualifications: Successful applicants must have evidence of current registration by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA) or social work tertiary qualifications consistent with AASW requirements prior to commencement; and either:
* An accredited qualification in Psychology and registration with the Psychology Board of Australia; OR
* A tertiary qualification in Social Work and eligibility for full membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers or the Society of Professional Social Workers and a minimum of two (2) years supervised practice in counselling.
Permanent positions: To be eligible for appointment to permanent positions in the WA Public Sector you must be an Australian citizen or have permanent resident status in Australia.
Other requirements:
* Possession of a current WA motor vehicle driver's license
* Requirement for inter-state travel from time to time
Benefits and Opportunities
* Flexible working arrangements
* Career pathway opportunities
* Learning and development opportunity programs
* Eligibility for study leave
* Relocation assistance/allowance for eligible applicants relocating from Interstate or New Zealand
* Housing assistance subsidies in specified regional locations
* Additional Annual Leave and Annual Travel Concessions in specified regional locations
* District Allowances in specified regional locations
* In-house training and monthly clinical supervision
* In-house clinical supervision for registrar, provisional registration and for Social Work mental health accreditation
* Further benefits described in the Applicant Information Pack
Application process
How to apply: Review the attached Job Description Form (JDF) for position requirements. Prepare your application accordingly.
We require you to submit:
* A comprehensive Resume/Curriculum Vitae outlining transferable skills, experience and key achievements
* A statement (no more than two pages) addressing the four Role Specific Criteria in the JDF, with examples
* Experience in a counselling role
* Therapeutic assessment and intervention skills
* Communication and interpersonal skills
* Knowledge and experience working with diversity, including ATSI and CALD populations
* Contact details of two work-related referees
Note: Applications without the accompanying statement addressing the selection criteria will be deemed incomplete. All remaining Role Specific Criteria will be assessed later in the process.
Equity and Diversity
The Department of Justice is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We promote Aboriginal Australian employment, people with disability, youth, and other diversity groups, with reasonable adjustments provided in recruitment and workplace processes.
Open contact for Aboriginal workforce guidance: see the provided contact details in the open recruitment section. Applicants with disability requiring adjustment or accessibility support can contact the hiring manager or the email/phone listed for confidential discussion.
Further information
If you would like further information regarding the vacancy, please contact Jabrulla Shukoor, Acting Psychological Health Service Manager, on (08) 9334 6068.
Submitting your application
Applicants are requested to apply online. Click the "Apply for Job" button at the bottom of this advertisement. Allow time to submit and attach relevant documents. Applications without the accompanying statements will be deemed incomplete.
If you have difficulty submitting online, contact RAMS Helpdesk at the provided email or phone for assistance.
The Department of Justice operates a smoke-free policy across sites, with full implementation in some locations and rollout to others in the coming months.
Be cautious of scams: do not provide bank details or transfer money; report suspicious job ads.
Open pool and insights
This is an open pool recruitment process with no fixed closing date. Applications are assessed quarterly, and suitable applicants may be invited to the pool for future vacancies. The pool is valid for 12 months from the day after the standard claim period closes.
For further information, please refer to the job advertisement or contact the hiring team as listed.
#J-18808-Ljbffr