About the Department for Correctional Services
The Department employs approximately 2,000 staff and has responsibility for nine prisons and fifteen Community Correctional offices across the state. Our vision is for a safer community by protecting the public and reducing re-offending. We work towards this through the contribution of staff who are employed in a wide variety of fields, from correctional officers and teachers, to social workers, psychologists and supervisors of court orders. Their commitment ensures we deliver quality services to prisoners, offenders and victims of crime. We strongly promote diversity and equity in our workforce, which directly contributes to greater effectiveness and better outcomes. In a supportive and collaborative environment, you will encounter interesting professional challenges and you will work alongside dedicated and passionate people who help to turn around the lives of offenders and rebuild lives affected by crime.

Duties
The Senior Advisor, Strategic Communications develops and implements communication strategies, planning materials and resources to achieve increased awareness and appreciation of the Department’s strategic directions, corporate goals, services and performance as well as government policy amongst staff and the general public and media. The incumbent is required to act at times as spokesperson for the Department in relation to media issues and undertake extensive out of hours on-call duties.

The incumbent provides expert advice to the DCS Executive and staff and Ministerial Media Advisers on a wide variety of media and public relations matters to best promote the Department.

Special Conditions

Section 47 of the Public Sector Act 2009 applies in accordance with other provisions of the act and other applicable industrial entitlements.

The incumbent is required to satisfactorily complete a National Criminal History Check;

This role may be require to participate on an on-call roster for out of hours duties as required;

A current South Australian Driver’s Licence is essential;

A flexible approach to working hours is required;

Some interstate and intrastate travel will be required which may necessitate overnight absences

Requirements
Essential: A tertiary qualification in Communications, Public Relations or Digital Content Production.
Desirable: Nil

Remuneration
AS06 ($98,478 - $104,165 pa)

Enquiries
Ms Simmone Whitlock
Manager, Strategic Communications
08 8226 9077
[email protected]

Application Instructions
All applications must be submitted online via I Work for SA.

Applicants are required to submit a CV and a cover letter of no more two pages quoting the vacancy number and outlining their knowledge, skills and experience relevant to the role.

Refer to the Advice to Applicants for information on how to apply.

Applicants are required to complete the Employment Declaration if not currently employed by the Department for Correctional Services.

Additional Information
DCS is an equal opportunities employer, and our workplace reflects the diverse communities that we serve. Safety at Work is central to our mission — emphasising respectful relationships, psychological wellbeing, and the physical and cultural safety of all employees.

We strongly encourage applications from women, Aboriginal people, people of African heritage, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, LGBTIQA+, neurodivergent people, people living with disability, people of all ages, and other diversity groups. We support flexible ways of working including part-time working arrangements, wherever reasonably possible, and strive to ensure a fair, accessible, and barrier-free recruitment process. We encourage you to share any support or access needs when you apply.

Applications close: 05/06/2025 11:00 PM