FIS provides evidence‐based screening, assessment and intervention services for individuals in custody and the community, focusing on violent and sexual offending, restorative justice, violent extremism and family violence.
What you'll do
As a Forensic Senior Clinician working in Complex Interventions, you will provide specialist risk assessment, treatment planning, intervention and consultation in relation to complex, high‐risk and high‐profile service users.
* Clinically lead and advise on the management, treatment and assessment of complex, high‐risk, and high‐profile individuals.
* Ensure best practices in working with individuals accommodated in restricted environments and/or those identified on the violent extremism pathway.
* Build strong partnerships with stakeholders to enhance multidisciplinary approaches and influence complex, multi‐faced decision‐making.
* Drive quality assurance, research and policy development to improve practices for managing high‐risk service users, including violent extremism cohorts.
* Travel to correctional facilities across the state.
Support and rewards
* A specialised induction program for new clinical staff (including foundation, theory and mentored on‐the‐job training).
* Exposure to national and international experts in forensic work.
* Mental health and wellbeing care – essential debriefing for the first 12 months for new forensic practitioners.
* Ongoing professional development, including clinical scholarship, research programme and study leave opportunities.
* Professional association membership or registration funded annually (e.g. PBA/AHPRA, AASW).
* Relocation allowances for eligible candidates.
Skills required
* An advanced understanding of the theory and therapeutic frameworks underpinning assessment and treatment (e.g. Risk‐Needs‐Responsivity principles) with complex and high‐risk service users within the justice system, and an ability to apply these frameworks in practice.
* Significant experience in the application of evidence‐based psychometric and structured professional judgement tools in relation to the assessment of service users in justice settings, including those used in CVE (Countering Violent Extremism) assessments and interventions.
* Significant knowledge of, and experience in, the delivery of various treatment modalities with complex populations (e.g. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Schema Therapy, Transtheoretical Model of Change, Trauma Informed Care, Strengths Based Approaches).
* Significant knowledge and understanding of the behavioural and mental health considerations for service users accommodated in restricted environments, and the relevant therapeutic and clinical frameworks regarding treatment and rehabilitation.
* Adherence to and demonstration of key therapist characteristics (e.g. empathy, warmth, rewarding and directive) to facilitate the therapeutic relationship.
* Ability to co‐ordinate your time effectively to meet service user needs, liaise with key stakeholders and complete administrative tasks.
* Ability to work well in a team environment; seeking and providing support from others in the management and treatment of high‐risk, high‐profile and complex service users.
* Excellent written and oral communication skills, given the high degree of communication and negotiation required with stakeholders.
Eligibility
* General registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA).
* Eligibility for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
* Credentialed as a mental health nurse with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses.
* Registered as an occupational therapist with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia.
* A master's degree in psychotherapy and registration with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).
* A master's degree in counselling and membership with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or registration with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).
We welcome people of any gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability and cultural background. We are also committed to increasing the number of veterans working in the public sector.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply. The Department of Justice and Community Safety is continually working towards increasing our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce. The Aboriginal Employment Team aims to attract, recruit and retain Aboriginal staff across all our roles and provides a culturally appropriate attraction and recruitment process.
Child Secure Statement
The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to or are impacted by our work.
Applications close 4June2026.
#J-18808-Ljbffr