• Lead teams in the security and good order of the prison through searches, escorting duties, observing, and assessing prisoner behaviour, operating security equipment, collating information, preparing reports, and effectively responding to prison incidents
• 6 X Ongoing, full-time opportunity
• COG2b: $83,288 - $95,778 plus superannuation

The Department of Justice and Community Safety (the department) is seeking a Senior Prison Officer, to provide a critical role within Melbourne Assessment Prison.

About the Business Unit

The Melbourne Assessment Prison (MAP) is a maximum-security correctional facility located on the fringe of the Melbourne CBD. The Prison is the State's main reception prison, receiving prisoners directly from the Courts and Police and provides assessment and orientation services for all male prisoners received into the system. The MAP also operates the Melbourne County Court, Supreme Court and Supreme Court Appeals custody facilities, located on the corners of William and Lonsdale Streets in the CBD. These facilities manage both male and female prisoners of all security ratings, operating Monday to Friday.

The location also provides security and correctional management within St. Vincent's Hospital (Melbourne) (SVHM), including the management of St. Augustine's Secure Ward and the SVHM holding cells, providing custodial liaison and coordination of all prisoner escorts attending the hospital for medical outpatient appointments from prison locations across the State. MAP also looks after the security function at the Adult Parole Board and the Post Sentence Authority located at 50 Franklin Street West Melbourne. Senior Prison Officers are expected to work across all facilities as required.

About the Role

Senior Prison Officers take a lead role within custodial teams, coaching, mentoring, and supporting prison officers. A senior prison officers' role encompasses a range of teamwork, case management, custodial and security responsibilities. Senior Prison Officers can be responsible for the day-to-day management of prison accommodation and/or security areas/posts. The Senior Prison Officer must have the ability to manage the day-to-day operations of a team of Prison Officers and the case management of more complex or difficult offenders.

Offender management involves working in a team environment with other professionals to optimise the opportunities for rehabilitation through all aspects of the day-to-day routines, services, and programs of the facility. Senior Prison Officers model and reinforce behaviour and thinking within their team, and with people in our care that assists the individual's ability to change their behaviour and contribute in a positive manner to the community upon release.

Senior Prison Officers ensure that they and their team of Prison Officers make appropriate notes, documentation, and reports around working with and directly supervising people in our care within the offender Individual Management Files (IMF). This includes direct offender management interactions with each person in care to review progress and regular liaison with program staff to ensure program participation aligns with needs.

As a manager of others, Senior Prisoner Officers model self-respect and respect for others. They lead by example with the Sector values and actively contribute towards creating and sustaining a positive and healthy workforce culture built on solid values, professional excellence and teamwork.

Senior Prison Officers provide leadership in the operational aspects of the Facility and act as Officer in Charge in the absence of the Supervisor, Operations Manager and General Manager.

Senior Prison Officer may also be required to work flexible hours including weekends and public holidays and attend to urgent work as required. Appropriate remuneration will be applied for the above in accordance with the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement 2024.

Some of your duties will include:

• Coordinate the day-to-day operations of a team of Prison Officers in accordance with the policies and standards set out by the Commissioner, Corrections Victoria in the Commissioners Requirements, Deputy Commissioner Instructions and Service Delivery Outcomes.
• Actively apply the dynamic security foundation principles to promote a safe and secure prison environment through effective practices and application.
• Work with all members of the prison to ensure the safety and security of prisoners, staff, and visitors. This includes maintenance of the integrity of both the external and internal security of the facility, appropriate levels of surveillance and interaction within the facility, and ensuring compliance with security and safety procedures.

To learn more about this role before applying, please read the attached position description.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Experience and skill in areas relevant to Correctional Delivery or statutory environment, management of staff and offender case management.
• Knowledge of, and the ability to apply relevant legislation, policy and procedure relating to Corrections Victoria and the management of its prison facilities.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership in a correctional environment.
• Commitment to working with staff, prisoners, and other service providers in the delivery of an integrated, whole of Justice approach to reducing re-offending.

Qualifications

• Prior to commencement you will be required to obtain a current Statement of Attainment for the First Aid unit HLTAIDO11 Provide First Aid.
• A full and current Victorian driver's licence or a minimum P2 driver's licence.  
• Completion of the Prison Officer Pre-service Training or a willingness to undertake and complete the provided Prison Officer Pre-Service Training is required.
• Certificate III in Correctional Practice (Custodial) or similar is desirable.

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 national police checks and misconduct screening.

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.