The Alcohol and Drug Counsellor roles are permanent positions which provide alcohol and other drug assessment and counselling using evidence-based interventions to prisoners.

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 TPSRecruiting@justice.tas.gov.au as soon as possible. 

Details of Appointment

Permanent commencing as soon as possible.

This is a day work position working weekdays for 73.50 hours per fortnight. 

We are a diverse and inclusive workplace and understand the importance of flexible working arrangements - talk to us about how this could work for you.

*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 full time, part time and/or casual vacancies.

Benefits

Salary of $76,245 - $123,395 per annum. Starting salary negotiable within 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 2022.

In addition to the salary:

• 11.5% superannuation
• 4 weeks annual leave per year, plus access to purchased leave, leave without pay and State Service accumulated leave scheme.
• Access to a free, confidential Employee Assistance Program and a range of other service via our dedicated Wellbeing and Support team.
• Learning, development and career progression opportunities.

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 Administration Building. 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 for a small weekly cost (or head across the road to Risdon Brook Dam for a walk at lunch time). 

Duties

• Delivering counselling treatment services, including counselling, assessment for substance use and screening for mental health problems, treatment planning, brief interventions and early interventions which may include motivational interviewing, goal setting, and further exploration of criminogenic program concepts, relapse prevention and referral to appropriate services.
• Deliver counselling services in accordance with evidence-based practice and appropriate standards, harm minimisation policy and practice and the Tasmanian Prison Services Drug Strategy.
• Establish and maintain Smart Recovery groups within the various areas of the prison as part of their case plans.
• Maintain a current understanding of evidence-based treatment approaches and being able to offer a range of treatment options.
• Provide advice on alcohol and drug-related issues of local populations through research, information collation/analysis and consultation.

Please see the attached Statement of Duties for a full outline of the duties associated to this position.

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.

Essential Requirements

• A degree of at least 3 years duration in Counselling, Social Work or equivalent as provided by a recognised university.

Download the Statement of Duties and any Associated Documents

 Statement of Duties (Generic) Alcohol and Drug Counsellor 10 Jan 25.docx

 Statement of Duties (Generic) Alcohol and Drug Counsellor 10 Jan 25.pdf

 About the Department of Justice (Tasmania Prison Service) November 2024.docx

 About the Department of Justice (Tasmania Prison Service) November 2024.pdf

 Information for Applicants (DOJ) Short Form Application.docx

 Information for Applicants (DOJ) Short Form Application.pdf

 FAQs Short Form Application.docx

 FAQs Short Form Application.pdf

How to apply

To apply, please provide a Short Form Application which is a 1-2 page covering letter outlining your experience, skills and knowledge as they relate to the Statement of Duties, and a copy of your current Resumé/CV.  We do not require a separate statement addressing the selection criteria.

Please note if you submit the details of your referees with your application the Selection Panel may contact them without notifying you.

Please apply online by clicking the 'Apply Now' button.

Refer to the 'Information for Applicants (DOJ)' document for further information.  Please note, attachments must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format.

If you are unable to submit your application online, please contact TPS Recruiting on (03) 6165 7394 or TPSRecruiting@justice.tas.gov.au.

For more information

Name: Bronwyn Hocking
Pronouns: She, her, hers
Position: Manager, Crisis Support Services
Email: Bronwyn.hocking@justice.tas.gov.au
Phone: (03) 6165 7310

OR

TPS Recruiting
6165 7394
tpsrecruiting@justice.tas.gov.au

Reasonable Adjustment Queries

TPS Recruiting
(03) 6165 7394

Organisational Development and Design Team
(03) 6165 7603