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 overall purpose of the position is to provide a range of effective scientifically based clinical and forensic services to prisoners and offenders within DCS. The position will provide therapeutic interventions focused on offending behaviours and on needs that contribute to criminal offending; conduct comprehensive assessments including risk and needs rating assessments; and where appropriate, provide crisis intervention, and specialised individual and/or group interventions in response to referrals from within DCS.

This position of Psychologist is responsible for providing comprehensive assessments and specialist interventions to prisoners and offenders in prisons, in particular 'adult' and 'child' sex offenders and violent offenders, and contributing to the safe management, wellbeing, and mental health of offenders. In particular, a large part of the Psychologist role is conducting thorough risk assessment of prisoner's considered at risk of self-harm and/or suicide to inform placement and custodial regimes. The Psychologist may also be asked to conduct mental health assessments and brief crisis intervention for prisoners considered at risk in custody. Due to the over-representation of Aboriginal prisoners within the Department for Correctional Services (DCS), there is an expectation that the client workload will include a significant number of Aboriginal prisoners and offenders.

Special Conditions

Section 47 of the Public Sector Act 2009 applies in conjunction with other provisions of the act and other applicable industrial entitlements.
The incumbent is required to satisfactorily complete a National Criminal History Check;
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.
Some out of hours travel may be required for which time off in lieu can be negotiated.
Requirements

Essential: An undergraduate or post-graduate level qualification in psychology and full registration as a psychologist with the Psychological Board of Australia.
Desirable: Registration as a board-approved supervisor with the Psychology Board of Australia.

Remuneration
AHP3 ($104,180pa - $ 111,746 pa)

Enquiries
Alexandra Daniels
A/Manager Psychological Services
8343 6654
[email protected]

Application Instructions

All applications must be submitted online via I Work for SA.
All applicants must submit a current CV.
All applicants must submit a certified copy of their qualification.
All applicants are required to submit a cover letter of no more than two pages quoting the vacancy number and outlining their knowledge, skills and experience relevant to the role.
All applicants are required to include additional information that specifically addresses the selection essential criteria outlined in the Job and Person Specification. Your response to each key selection criteria should not exceed one page in length.
Please note: Applicants that do not address the selection criteria may be disadvantaged during the shortlisting process.
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

This is a temporary vacancy for up to 6 months.

There is more than one position available.

Provisional Psychologists are also welcome to apply.

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: 16/06/2025 11:00 PM