These prisoners are either waiting for Court appearances, transfer to a Correctional Centre or waiting to be bailed. Good communication skills are essential to ensure the safety and security of all prisoners placed into the Watchhouse.

Assistant Watchhouse Officers will be working in a dynamic environment. Mackay watchhouse holds on average 15 - 20 prisoners and process fresh prisoners daily. These prisoners may be from ethnically, culturally and or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as persons who are suspected of being suicidal, mentally unwell, violent or suffering with numerous medical conditions or possibly carriers of contagious diseases. These prisoners are either waiting for Court appearances, transfer to a Correctional Centre or waiting to be bailed. Good communication skills are essential to ensure the safety and security of all prisoners placed into the Watchhouse.

An Assistant Watchhouse Officer plays an integral part in the administration of a secure Watchhouse environment. Tasks performed are vital for effective Watchhouse operations and the safe movement of prisoners.

During a normal shift, an Assistant Watchhouse Officer may perform the following tasks:

• Supervision, management and monitoring of prisoners. This will include CCTV operation; security of the Watchhouse; console operation; conducting prisoner and visitor checks; attending to prisoner needs (including issuing prisoners prescribed oral medication and ensuring the necessities of life) and preparing video footage of incidents.
• Searches include the use of electronic scanning devices, pat-down/frisk, general searches of prisoners' possessions, and assisting police officers to perform searches of un-clothed prisoners.
• Escorts includes escorting prisoners on foot or in vehicles to other areas and centres, and guarding prisoners in court.
• Court duties include recording results, movement of prisoners from holding areas to the court dock, compilation of prisoner files; tasks as directed by the ‘proper officer' of the court.
• First aid including resuscitation; liaising with Queensland Ambulance Service and Queensland Health professionals.
• Take identifying particulars which includes photographs, fingerprints, and DNA sampling.
• Administration - including answering telephones, using computers - word processing, database and spreadsheet programs, conducting shift audits of equipment, and liaison with external agencies.

Key attributes to being an Assistant Watchhouse Officer should include compassion, understanding, respect, patience, and resilience. Strong interpersonal skills including well developed verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills are essential to meet operational goals. Attentiveness is important for the good management and supervision of prisoners. This attribute ensures that Assistant Watchhouse Officers utilise tactics to defuse highly volatile situations, identify contraband being hidden or distributed by in-mates, and perform intelligence gathering using conventional methods.

Successful applicants will undertake a training course in Brisbane. This training will include a theory component of legislation; policy and procedures and operational skills training (use of handcuffs, leg irons and body belts, pat-down and un-clothed person searches, property searches, security procedures, the taking of photographs and fingerprints, use of force options and the aftercare of prisoners who have been exposed to capsicum spray). When commencing duty, the Assistant Watchhouse Officer will be mentored and will complete a workplace assessment of Trainee Assistant Watchhouse Officers. There will be ongoing training and an annual update of operational skills and tactics.

Please refer to the position description attached for the key accountabilities and role requirements.

Applications to remain current for 12 months.

Job Ad Reference: QLD/645992/25

Closing Date: Wednesday, 23rd July, 2025