Alcohol and Drug Counsellor (357817 and 357818) Department of Justice

JOB DESCRIPTION

Applications close 11.55pm, Sunday 24 September 2023

We encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, people living with disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, mature age workers and LGBTIQ+ people.

The Department of Justice supports reasonable adjustment requests in any stage of the assessment process to remove barriers and facilitate full participation in all aspects of employment for applicants with disability. If you have individual requirements that need to be accommodated in order to participate in an interview or recruitment activity, please inform the contact listed at the end of this vacancy.

We are a diverse and inclusive workplace and understand the importance of flexible working arrangements.  Talk to us about how this could work for you.

Hours per fortnight

73.50 hours per fortnight – flexible options available. 

Duties

  • Delivering counselling treatment services, including counselling, assessment for substance use and screening for mental health problems, treatment planning, brief interventions and early interventions which may include motivational interviewing, goal setting, and further exploration of criminogenic program concepts, relapse prevention and referral to appropriate services.
  • Deliver counselling services in accordance with evidence-based practice and appropriate standards, harm minimisation policy and practice and the Tasmanian Prison Services Drug Strategy.
  • Work within a multi-disciplinary team in partnership with the IRS support staff, the Security and Intelligence Unit, Correctional Primary Health Services and Custodial staff to support prisoners to implement harm reduction strategies to reduce their dependence on alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.  
  • Establish and maintain Smart Recovery groups within the various areas of the prison as part of their case plans.
  • Maintain offender case notes, records and administrative information and prepare formal assessments and other reports in accordance with relevant practice standards.
  • Maintain a current understanding of evidence-based treatment approaches and being able to offer a range of treatment options.
  • Provide advice on alcohol and drug-related issues of local populations through research, information collation/analysis and consultation.
  • Provide training and development for Correctional staff, and for other organisations when requested.

Essential Requirements

  • A degree of at least 3 years duration in Counselling, Social Work or equivalent as provided by a recognised university.

Pre-employment Checks

The Head of State Service has determined that the person nominated for this vacancy is to satisfy a pre-employment check before taking up the appointment, promotion or transfer.

The following checks are to be conducted:

1. Pre-employment checks

• Arson and fire setting
• Violent crimes and crimes against the person
• Sex-related offences
• Drug and alcohol related offences
• Crimes involving dishonesty
• Crimes involving deception
• Making false declarations
• Malicious damage and destruction to property
• Serious traffic offences
• Crimes against public order or relating to the Administration of Law and Justice
• Crimes against Executive or the Legislative Power
• Crimes involving Conspiracy

2. Disciplinary action in previous employment.

3. Identification check.

Download the Statement of Duties and any Associated Documents

 Statement of Duties (Generic) Alcohol and Drug Counsellor.docx

 Statement of Duties (Generic) Alcohol and Drug Counsellor.pdf

 About the Department of Justice (Tasmania Prison Service).DOCX

 About the Department of Justice (Tasmania Prison Service).pdf

 Information for Applicants (DOJ) Short Form Application.docx

 Information for Applicants (DOJ) Short Form Application.pdf

 FAQs Short Form Application.docx

 FAQs Short Form Application.pdf

How to apply

To apply, please provide a Short Form Application which is a 1-2 page covering letter outlining your experience, skills and knowledge as they relate to the Statement of Duties, and a copy of your current Resumé/CV.  We do not require a separate statement addressing the selection criteria.

Please note if you submit the details of your referees with your application the Selection Panel may contact them without notifying you.

Please apply online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button.

Refer to the ‘Information for Applicants (DOJ)’ document for further information.  Please note, attachments must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format.

If you are unable to submit your application online, please contact the Department of Justice Recruitment Team on (03) 6165 4946.

For more information

Bronwyn Hocking
Senior Psychologist
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (03) 6165 7310

Reasonable Adjustment Queries

Organisational Development and Design Team
(03) 6165 7603