Forensic Senior Clinician, Practice, Minimum/Maximum Security Prisons

About this role

Empower people and elevate your career – join Forensic Intervention Services.

• Enjoy world-class training and wellbeing support
• Flexible home and on-site working arrangements
• Earn $113,022 – $136,747 (AH4) per year plus superannuation
• City-based head office with travel across Victoria
• 1 Ongoing role available

FIS provides evidence-based screening, assessment and intervention services for individuals in custody and the community. We focus on areas such as violent and sexual offending, restorative justice, violent extremism and family violence.

This role provides specialist clinical supervision and advice to multidisciplinary clinical teams.

This is the perfect opportunity if you're looking to expand your expertise, enjoy a more dynamic role or leave a lasting influence in a progressive field.

How we'll support and reward you

Our work can be demanding, so we offer first-rate training and support.

• 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 program and study leave opportunities.
• Your professional association membership or registration funded annually (e.g. PBA/AHPRA, AASW)
• Relocation allowances for eligible candidates.

What you'll do

As a Forensic Senior Clinician, Practice working in Minimum/Maximum Security Prisons, you will provide leadership, high level consultancy and advice to internal and external stakeholders across the system on clinical matters, particularly in relation to the management of service users and their multi-systemic treatment needs.

You will:

• Provide an advanced range of clinical services, including assessments, case formulation and treatment for service users and specialist advice to other multi-disciplinary clinicians and Correctional staff on the management of clinical and behavioural management issues.
• Role model and mentor clinical staff in the delivery of group-based and individual interventions according to the service remit.
• Enhance workforce capability through the provision of supervision, training and development opportunities for Forensic Intervention Services clinical workforce and other Corrections Victoria staff.
• Travel to correctional facilities across the state.

Skills Required 

• Demonstrated experience managing and leading staff in multidisciplinary clinical teams. An advanced understanding of the theory and therapeutic frameworks underpinning assessment and treatment with service users within the justice system, and an ability to apply these frameworks in practice, such as the Risk-Needs-Responsivity principles.
• Significant experience in and knowledge of evidence-based, forensic risk assessments and the delivery of individual and group treatment and behaviour intervention treatment models with complex populations in a justice setting (for example, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Schema Therapy, Transtheoretical Model of Change, Trauma Informed Care, Strengths Based Approaches).
• Demonstrated ability to critically analyse and apply current research evidence, methodology and approaches required for effective practice.
• Adherence to key therapist characteristics [empathy, warmth, rewarding and directive] to facilitate the therapeutic relationship and demonstrated ability to undertake reflective practice and actively participate in clinical supervision to improve clinical practice.

To learn more about the role, and the kind of candidate we are looking for, please read the position description.

Eligibility

To apply for this role, you'll need to hold or be eligible for, one of the following:

• 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 Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or registration with thePsychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).

To find out more about the role and FIS, go to our website or contact our recruitment team at candidatecare@justice.vic.gov.au

We want to make sure all Victorians feel represented by the department's work. One of the ways do this is by recruiting a diverse workforce – we welcome people of any gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and cultural background. We are also committed to the Victorian Government's promise to increase the number of veterans working in the public sector.

We're proud of our individual differences. We're proud of the many languages we speak and the stories we can share with each other. We hope you will share your story too.

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 (Aboriginal) workforce. The Aboriginal Employment Team aims to attract, recruit and retain Aboriginal staff across all our roles. This support includes a culturally appropriate attraction and recruitment process. To learn more, email aboriginal.employment@justice.vic.gov.au

If this sounds like a compelling job that you believe your skills would be a great match for, please APPLY NOW. Applications close 22 June 2025.

How to apply

Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats. 

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include reference checks, national police checks and misconduct screening. Dependent on the role, other checks may include VicRoads checks, drivers licence checks, medical checks, Working with Children Checks, and Declaration of Private Interests (for executive and responsible officer roles). 

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:

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.