High Needs Support Counsellor (355868) - Tasmania Prison Service


Department of Justice
Tasmania Prison Service
Applications must be submitted by

Position details

Applications close:

AEST

Award/Classification:

Tasmanian State Service Award - Professional Stream Band 2

Salary:

$101,969.00 to $123,395.00 per annum

Employment type:

Permanent, full-time

Region:

South

Location:

Risdon Prison

Job description:

The Tasmanian Prison Service is hiring a High Needs Support Counsellor to provide psycho-social assessments and supportive counselling to offenders identified as having complex or high support needs within the Tasmania Prison Services.

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

Details of Appointment

This is a permanent day work position working weekdays. 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.

*Applicants should note that, for a period of twelve months from the date of publication, this selection process may be used to fill subsequent or similar full time, part time and/or casual vacancies.

Benefits

Salary of $101,969 to $123,395 pa. Starting salary negotiable within range subject to experience in a similar role. Annual salary increase within this range in accordance with the Tasmanian State Service Award and Public Service Union Wages Agreement.

In addition to the salary: 

  • 12% super, access to salary sacrifice and salary packaging.
  • 4 weeks annual leave per year, plus access to purchased leave, leave without pay and State Service accumulated leave scheme.
  • Access to a free, confidential Employee Assistance Program and a range of other service via our dedicated Wellbeing and Support team.
  • Learning, development and career progression opportunities across Tasmania.

Working Environment

Tasmania Prison Service (TPS) has prison facilities located at Risdon Vale, Hobart and Launceston in Tasmania. This position is based at Risdon Vale. The Risdon Vale site offers a corporate working environment without the hustle and bustle of city centre offices, free on-site parking and access to the on-site staff gym (or head across the road to Risdon Brook Dam for a walk at lunch time). 

Duties

  • To provide crisis support counselling for offenders identified as at risk or suicide or self-harm or those with complex or high support needs within the Tasmanian Prison Service.
  • Provide psycho-social assessment and treatment including the design, development, implementation and evaluation of individual treatment programs and management plans.
  • Work within a multi-disciplinary team and participate in the case-management reviews to ensure continuity of care.
  • Provide consultation to agencies within a corrections system in regard to psycho-social assessment including factors relating to risk of harm to self or others.
  • Assist in sentence planning and other processes informed by assessment as required.
  • Participate in supervision, peer review and continuing professional development and risk assessment management practices.
  • Assist with and participate in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of quality improvement, risk management, ethical research activities and other strategies consistent with best practice as required.

Essential Requirements

  • A degree of at least 3 years duration relevant to the professional duties to be undertaken is required, 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 (National Police Record) checks for: Arson and fire setting, violent crimes and crimes against the person, sex-related offences, drug and alcohol related offences, crimes involving dishonesty, deception and/or conspiracy, 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, Executive or the Legislative Power.
  2. Disciplinary action in previous employment.
  3. Identification check.

Download the Statement of Duties and any Associated Documents

Download File Statement of Duties (355868) High Needs Support Counsellor - June 2025.docx

Download File Statement of Duties (355868) High Needs Support Counsellor - June 2025.docx

 Information for applicants (Tasmania Prison Service).docx

 Information for applicants (Tasmania Prison Service).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 apply online by clicking the 'Apply Now' button.

Refer to the 'Information for Applicants' 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 TPS Recruiting on (03) 6165 7394 or TPSRecruiting@justice.tas.gov.au.

How to apply

Online applications are preferred, please click the 'Apply Now' button.  You will be prompted to complete an online application form and to attach your cover letter, resume and selection criteria responses. Please note, attachments must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format.

If you are unable to submit your application online, please contact TPS Recruiting on (03) 6165 7394 or TPSRecruiting@justice.tas.gov.au.

For more information

Bella McVilly
Senior Psychologist, Specialist Services 
Email: Isabella.McVilly@justice.tas.gov.au 
Phone: (03) 6166 4804

Reasonable Adjustment Queries

TPS Recruiting
(03) 6165 7394

Organisational Development and Design Team
(03) 6165 7602

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  1. Review the Statement of Duties and consider if you meet the requirements.
  2. Speak to the Contact Officer if you have any questions.
  3. Submit your application including any additional documents as specified in each individual job vacancy notice.