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1. Positions
   
   1. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison Officers
   2. Activities Officers
   3. Correctional Counsellors
   4. Freedom on Information (FOI) Officers
   5. Intelligence Analysts
   6. Operations Officers
   7. Psychologists
   8. Regional Programs and Training Officers
   9. Staff Development Officers
   10. Support Officers
   11. Trade Instructors
   12. Workplace Health and Safety Officers
2. Attributes necessary for success
3. Core accountabilities
4. How to apply

Positions

There are a variety of career paths to follow in Queensland Corrective Services.

A small cross-section are:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison Officers provide advice to management and staff on specific cultural and management issues pertaining to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners. In addition, they contribute to prisoner case management and sentence management as part of a multi-disciplinary team, and are responsible for consultation and cooperation with the local community and specific program implementation. Due to a number of factors, including the gross over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in custody, some positions are identified as suitable for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals only.

Principal accountabilities may include:

• liaise with offenders' families, management and Queensland Corrective Services staff, Government and non-Government welfare agencies and service providers to ensure offender's individual and social needs are met
• provide consultancy services to, and accept referrals from, professional staff within the centre
• coordinate Family Visits Days and other culturally significant activities.
• monitor and maintain family contact for offenders to ensure families and community representatives visit
• consult and liaise with communities and organisations regarding cultural issues and the needs of offenders
• initiate, encourage and facilitate greater engagement with community groups/networks for the purpose of increasing post release family support structures

Activities Officers develop, manage and deliver cultural, recreational and specialist activities to offenders. Activities Officers are required to have experience in designing, planning and implementing comprehensive art, craft and/or hobby programs.

Principal accountabilities may include:

• design plan and implement a comprehensive arts, crafts and hobby program for the centre's offenders to achieve the following goals
• monitor and coordinate the work of volunteers and part-time staff with art, craft and hobby programs
• coordinate a range of hobby activities available to offenders to ensure the best possible utilisation and development of resources
• ensure proper management art, craft and hobby resources available to offenders
• provide forward estimates of arts, crafts and hobbies spending for budget purposes and manage financial allocations

Correctional Counsellors provide assessment, treatment and counselling to individuals and groups of prisoners, to assist with assessment of security risk, case management, sentence management and parole processes, and to assist prisoners and their families with welfare needs. Individuals applying for these positions must possess a degree in a field relevant to the position, such as social work or behavioural science.

Principal accountabilities may include:

• deliver approved programs to offenders
• assist with assessment of risk, case management, sentence management, community re-integration and parole processes
• contribute to and participate in the professional development activities
• assess at risk offenders and assist offenders with welfare needs and community re-integration

Freedom of Information (FOI) Officers assess and process FOI requests for the department in accordance with FOI legislation.

Principal accountabilities may include:

• assist with the administration and processing of applications for information that are made pursuant to the provisions of the FOI Act
• consult and negotiate with authors of documents, applicants and third parties regarding the release of, and access to, documents under FOI legislation
• exercise delegated decision making power under the FOI Act regarding access to documents and the amendment of personal affairs information held by the Department
• provide advice to staff and members of the public on FOI legislation, information privacy and associated practices and procedures
• research complex legal and policy issues associated with the FOI Act and information privacy that impact upon the operations of the Department

Intelligence Analysts assist Intelligence Officers to develop, coordinate and manage the centre's security and intelligence collection plan; analyse all security-related information to provide timely intelligence; and support the Department's Intelligence activities.

Principal accountabilities may include:

• develop and coordinate the use of risk management strategies designed to minimise or reduce the likelihood of staff impropriety and corruption.
• identify, develop and establish information collection plans
• collect, evaluate and analyse all security related information in order to provide timely intelligence
• gather and present relevant information to assist the department in the decision making process associated with staff employment

Operations Officers provide overall management, planning, organisation, supervision and monitoring of staff, programs, sentence and case management and other prisoner services. These positions also develop and maintain secure, safe and positive institutional environments within which intervention strategies, aimed at correcting offending behaviour, can be successfully delivered.

Principal accountabilities may include:

• support the Manager Offender Management in the development and maintenance of operating procedures relevant to the administration of designated areas of control relating to both centre staff and prisoners
• assist with the implementation and contribute to the monitoring of procedures which support the provision of prisoner services including medical and food services, industries, preventative maintenance programs, prisoner receptions and discharges, prisoner property management, prisoners transfers, contingency planning and prisoner movements
• monitor and contribute to the development of procedures and practices that ensure the maintenance of and validate the effectiveness of, levels of security/supervision appropriate to the roles and functions of the Farm Community to ensure compliance with mandatory standards for security supervision

Psychologists provide psychological assessment, treatment and intervention to prisoners. They also assist with offender reception, carry out security risk assessments and ongoing case management of prisoners. Individuals applying for this position must possess a degree in a field relevant to the position, for example, social work, psychology or the behavioural sciences as well as current registration, or eligibility for registration, with the Psychologists' Board of Queensland.

Principal accountabilities may include:

• assess offenders using appropriate tools and provide reports to relevant authorities
• assess at risk offenders and manage risk strategy
• deliver approved programs in accordance with assessed risks and needs when needed
• participate in professional practice supervision
• counsel offenders and support their re-integration into the community

Regional Programs and Training Officers develop, coordinate, facilitate and evaluate the delivery of offender programs and staff training throughout the region. Individuals applying for these positions must possess a degree in a field relevant to the position, such as social work, psychology or the behavioural sciences, as well as the required accreditation to deliver offender programs.

Principal accountabilities may include:

• facilitate the development, implementation and evaluation of offender programs
• facilitate the development and delivery of the region's Staff Training Plan,
• effectively monitor and manage a cost centre and provide submissions and recommendations regarding funding priorities for offender programs and staff development
• supervise and lead a multi-disciplinary team to effectively implement programs and professional development services
• ensure the maintenance of auditable training and offender program records and statistics

Staff Development Officers design and coordinate the training and development operations within correctional centres and liaise with staff in the delivery of training and development activities. Individuals appointed to this position are required to successfully complete Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace training during their probationary year.

Principal accountabilities may include:

• manage and coordinate mandatory training
• manage and coordinate professional development activities
• manage and validate nationally recognised training and assessments
• manage and administer training

Support Officers provide executive support and undertake clerical and other administrative duties, all of which contribute to the efficient operation of the work area.

Principal accountabilities may include:

• provide administration support
• arrange meetings, conferences, appointments and travel
• general administrative tasks

Trade Instructors are responsible for the day-to-day management and scheduling of activities within a correctional centre's industry area. This position is also responsible for training offenders in accordance with national accreditation guidelines, as well as managing and coordinating industry activities to meet production requirements. They are also responsible for safety and security in the industry workplace.

Principal accountabilities may include:

• provide supervision and training
• assist in the management of Industries budget and stock
• reporting and administration

Workplace Health and Safety Officers have a dual role encompassing occupational health and safety and rehabilitation management. A strong focus is placed on rehabilitation management and this position is designed to create a greater balance with occupational health and safety through the implementation of risk reduction strategies.

Principal accountabilities may include:

• develop and implement the Workplace Health & Safety framework and program in the centre and ensure it continues to meet legislative and business requirements
• develop and coordinate specific Workplace Health and Safety strategies for application across areas of the centre consistent with legislation, polices standards and practices
• WorkCover claims administration and case management of staff who are absent from work due to injury/illness, including consultation with external stakeholders such as WorkCover and QSuper
• monitor work practices through analysis of injury and accident data, and develop and conduct remedial health and safety training
• undertake workplace inspections and/or audits and provide assistance in implementing the resulting recommendations

2. Attributes necessary for success in DCS

Thinks creatively and solve problems effectively

• understands DCS's direction and how it does business
• link your own work to DCS priorities
• apply creative approaches to issues and problems
• show judgement, intelligence and commonsense

Demonstrates personal drive and integrity

• demonstrate public service professionalism and act ethically
• be aware of risks and show personal courage and resilience
• demonstrate self awareness and a commitment to personal development

Achieves results

• respond to client needs and organise resources
• share expertise and use technology effectively
• adapt to and participate in change
• delivers on intended results

Communicates effectively

• communicates clearly, both verbally and in writing
• listen, understand and adapt to audience
• negotiate effectively

Work productively with others

• maintain internal and external relationships
• value individual differences and diversity
• work cooperatively

3. Core accountabilities

Code of Conduct

The Department has a Code of Conduct (PDF 868KB). The principles of the code:

• respect for the law and the system of government
• respect for persons
• integrity
• diligence
• economy and efficiency

Staff are to maintain knowledge of the Department's Code of Conduct and comply with the Code in relation to actions and relations with other staff, clients, offenders and the public.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Discrimination

The Department is an equal opportunity employer. EEO ensures that all staff have an equal chance to obtain employment, development and promotion. Also, EEO seeks to eliminate discrimination in employment, ensuring that staff are treated on the basis of their individual talents and capabilities, not on irrelevant characteristics such as race or gender.

Discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favourably than another would be in the same or similar circumstances because of an irrelevant characteristic, for example, age, gender or ethnic origin. The Department supports and complies with the provisions of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991.

Harassment (bullying)

All managers and staff are responsible for ensuring that the workplace is free from unacceptable behaviours and practices.

Workplace harassment (bullying) is characterised by an employee being subjected to repeated unwelcome and unsolicited offensive behaviour by a manager, colleague or group of colleagues.

Sexual harassment is unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature which make a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated and where that reaction is reasonable in the circumstances.

All these behaviours will not be tolerated by this Department. All staff can contribute to the elimination of discrimination and harassment in the workplace by embracing the Department's equity program and by behaving appropriately at work.

Criminal record

Where an employee is charged with an alleged offence, whether in or outside Queensland, that person shall, as soon as practicable after being charged, notify their relevant General Manager, Regional Director, Director or Executive Director of same in writing.

Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action being taken against the employee. This is also a provision of the Department's Code of Conduct (PDF 868KB).

Confidentiality

Staff are required to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of information obtained in the course of their duties. This includes information in relation to offenders, other staff and the activities of Queensland Corrective Services.

Information that is confidential or privileged must not be released without the authorisation of the Director-General or delegate, in accordance with the Corrective Services Act and Freedom of Information legislation.

However staff are not prohibited from disclosing official information which would normally be released to members of the public.

Workplace Health and Safety

The Department promotes a safe work environment and encourages staff to identify unsafe work practices.

It is a requirement of the Workplace Health & Safety Act 1995 for staff to comply with workplace health, safety and injury management policies and procedures. Furthermore, staff are encouraged to contribute to relevant programs and initiatives.

How to apply

Visit the Government's Smart jobs and careers website to access all jobs advertised by Queensland Corrective Services in the Queensland Government Gazette and newspapers. (Please note all jobs appear in the gazette and Smart jobs and careers before advertising in newspapers.)

For further information, please read:

• Information for Applicants (PDF 98KB)
• Application Cover Sheet (PDF 98KB)

Last Updated: 12 July 2007

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