The role of Senior Psychologist, Specialist Services is to act in accordance with agency policy and direction, legal requirements and professional competencies. Undertaking the delivery of a quality service to prisoners, based on best practice principles and within a collaborative and multidisciplinary framework.

To coordinate the delivery of Specialist Therapeutic Services for the Tasmanian Prison Service -Disability Services and Alcohol and Drug Services. This includes the clinical supervision of staff, provision of staff training and provide advice to the Prison Service in relation to these specialist areas.

The Department of Justice has a number of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategies in place, and our recruitment practices aim to facilitate full participation from all population cohorts. We encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, people living with disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and faiths, mature age workers and LGBTIQA+ people.

The Department of Justice supports reasonable adjustment requests in any stage of the assessment process to remove barriers and facilitate full participation in all aspects of employment for applicants with disability. If you have individual requirements that need to be accommodated in order to participate in an interview or recruitment activity, please inform TPS Recruiting at [email protected] as soon as possible. 

Period of Appointment

This position is advertised for permanent appointment.

*Applicants should note that, for a period of twelve months from the date of publication, this selection process may be used to fill subsequent or similar permanent, fixed-term, full time, part time and/or casual vacancies.

Hours per fortnight

76 hours per fortnight - flexible options available.

This is day work position working weekdays. We are a diverse and inclusive workplace and understand the importance of flexible working arrangements. In the Interventions and Reintegration Services there are a number of us that choose to work flexibly, talk to us about how this could work for you (it’s also ok if you prefer to work the traditional way, some of us do that too).

Benefits

Salary of $121,224 pa – $131,298 pa. Starting salary negotiable within this range subject to experience in a similar role. Annual salary increase within this range in accordance with the Tasmanian State Service Award and Public Service Union Wages Agreement.

In addition to the salary:

• 11.5% super from 1 July 2024.
• 4 weeks annual leave per year, plus access to purchased leave, leave without pay and State Service accumulated leave scheme.
• Free parking on-site at Risdon.
• Access to the on-site staff gym for a modest fortnightly fee.
• Life-work balance including job share, work from home, condensed hours and a range of other flexible working options (subject to operational requirements and approval of course!).
• Learning, development and career progression opportunities across Tasmania.
• Access to salary packaging and discounted private health insurance.
• Access to a free, confidential Employee Assistance Program and a range of other service via our dedicated Wellbeing and Support team.

Working Environment

Tasmania Prison Service (TPS) has prison facilities located at Risdon Vale, Hobart and Launceston in Tasmania. This position is based at Risdon Vale in the Old Prison Hospital in a multidisciplinary team. The Risdon Vale site offers a corporate working environment without the hustle and bustle of city centre offices, free on-site parking and access to the on-site staff gym (or head across the road to Risdon Brook Dam for a walk at lunch time). 

Duties

• To provide leadership in the coordination and administration of the Specialist Services within the Therapeutic Services Unit and oversight of disability and alcohol and drug services for the Tasmania Prison Service.
• Provide clinical supervision of Therapeutic Services staff and other Interventions and Reintegration staff as required.
• Research, develop and conduct assessments with prisoners which identify disability support needs and alcohol and drug needs to assess suitability and triaging of inmates for specialist support.
• Develop an appropriate model of assessment, care and intervention for these specialist services.
• Train and assist prisoner support staff, including correctional officers to understand assessment and need in these specialist areas and specifically how to work with prisoners who may be living with a disability.
• Facilitate positive and effective working relationships with other areas of the prison, the Correctional Primary Health Service and other relevant Government and non-Government agencies.

Full duties listed on the Statement of Duties

Essential Requirements

• Person to be registered by the Psychology Board of Australia under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Tasmania).

Pre-employment Checks

The Head of State Service has determined that the person nominated for this vacancy is to satisfy a pre-employment check before taking up the appointment, promotion or transfer.

The following checks are to be conducted:

1. Pre-employment checks

• Arson and fire setting
• Violent crimes and crimes against the person
• Sex-related offences
• Drug and alcohol related offences
• Crimes involving dishonesty
• Crimes involving deception
• Making false declarations
• Malicious damage and destruction to property
• Serious traffic offences
• Crimes against public order or relating to the Administration of Law and Justice
• Crimes against Executive or the Legislative Power
• Crimes involving Conspiracy

2. Disciplinary action in previous employment.

3. Identification check.

Desirable Requirements

• At least two years practical experience in psychological work or a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from a tertiary institution approved by the Australian Psychological Society.