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.

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.

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 to Apply

• Applicants are advised of the mandatory vaccination policy for various occupations and workforces in WA. To be considered for employment in this role, applicants will need to provide evidence of their vaccination status (unless a valid medical exemption is granted by the Chief Health Officer (CHO)). More information can be found at: COVID-19 coronavirus: Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination information (www.wa.gov.au).
• Applicants must have a current Working with Children Check or be able to successfully apply for one to be eligible for appointment to this position.

Other special requirements that apply to the position:

• Evidence of qualifications and registration from the Psychology Board of Australia, or eligibility for membership with the AASW.
• Possession of a current WA motor vehicle driver’s license.
• Requirement for intra-state travel as from time to time.

About you

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.

Pool Recruitment

This 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.

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 at similar locations, with the Department of Justice for the duration of the pool.

Currently, there are 5 permanent position(s) available for immediate filling.

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.

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 [email protected] or call (08) 9264 1700 to for a confidential discussion.

To find out more about this opportunity and to apply for this position, click on the Apply Now button