Forensic AOD Practitioner (Minimum/Maximum Security Prisons and Medium 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 $97,955 – $111,142 (VPS4) per year plus super.
• City-based head office with travel across Victoria.
• 2 Ongoing roles available (1x Minimum and Maximum security prisons team and 1x Medium security prisons team)

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, Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) – Criminogenic, restorative justice, violent extremism and family violence.

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

The statewide services provided by a Forensic AOD Practitioner include:

• Screenings and assessments to determine risk levels, treatment needs, and appropriate intervention pathways to support rehabilitation to individuals who meet eligibility for criminogenic AOD interventions.
• Facilitate/ co-facilitate individual and group-based intervention programs aimed at addressing substance use among complex, high-risk cohorts that include general, violent and sexual offences.
• Provide specialist advice to stakeholders across the prison system, on the complex AOD criminogenic needs of individuals to inform effective risk management, reduce recidivism and support rehabilitation.
• Travel to prisons across the state and overnight stays may be required.

Skills Required 

• Demonstrated knowledge of/understanding of the link between AOD use and offending behaviour.
• Experience working with forensic AOD and/or dual diagnosis clients including individuals with complex, high-risk needs and presentations.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience facilitating individual and/or group- based interventions to complex individuals, including the ability to manage group dynamics and behaviour.
• Demonstrated experience liaising with stakeholders on the complex criminogenic AOD needs of individuals, tailoring advice to stakeholder requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the preparation of comprehensive assessment and treatment completion reports used by internal and external stakeholders. 

To learn more about the skills you will need to succeed in this role, please read the position description attached.

Eligibility

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

• Relevant tertiary qualification, such as Certificate IV or Diploma AOD, Counselling or similar, or,
• A relevant qualification in social work, a related human services discipline, criminal justice or criminology with work experience in related field (desirable).
• A current Victorian driver's licence is required.

To find out more about the role and FIS, watch our career information video, visit our microsite 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 26 March 2026.

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.