Principal Practitioner

Location: Western Region | Ballarat

Job type: Full time / Ongoing

Organisation: Department of Justice and Community Safety

**Salary**: $103,920 - $125,735

Occupation: Prison and Corrective Services

Reference: DOJ/5519_NOV

At the Department of Justice and Community Safety, we’re looking for people who want to make a difference. People who take pride in their work. People who get things done. People who are committed to making Victoria a safer place.

We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We’re all about recruiting the best people, regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or cultural background. If you think you can do the job and would be a good fit for our department, we’d love to hear from you.

The department is committed to the safety and wellbeing of young people and recognises that young peoples’ rights need to be respected, their views welcomed and valued, and their concerns taken seriously and acted upon.

For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit justice.vic.gov.au/careers

We’re proud of the important work we do across Victoria. Want to be part of it?
- ** Pivotal leadership role based in the Grampians Region**:

- **Provide authoritative best practice advice on offender management**:

- **Ongoing, full time opportunity**

**About Us**:
We work with people who the courts have decided must be supervised within the community. This includes people on parole, as well as people on court and post sentence supervision orders.

These people have often faced traumatic life experiences. They may have suffered physical and sexual abuse or grown up with few positive role models. Many have also suffered from or witnessed substance abuse as well. These experiences often bring about anti-social behaviours or self-protection strategies that can culminate in criminal actions.

It is our job as CCS staff to be positive role models for these people, as they try address their offending behaviours to make a better life for themselves in our community.

**What you will do**

You will provide advice and consultation in relation to identified offender risk escalation behaviours, incident management and quality assurance practices and processes. You will also work closely and collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

This position is required to work across the Grampians Region with the option to be based in either Ballarat or Horsham with occasional travel between these two locations.

**To be successful in this role, you will have**:

- extensive experience in the case management of complex and/or high-risk individuals
- experience in best practice risk management initiatives and therapeutic work with high risk and complex individuals
- knowledge and experience working within a legislative framework
- excellent written communication skills including preparing comprehensive reports, briefings and submissions on high profile and sensitive cases
- well-developed leadership capabilities including providing effective staff supervision, training and mentoring.

**Working and living in the Central Highlands region**

If the cosmopolitan option sounds up your alley, then Ballarat marks the spot. A quick brush-up on history for you: about 170 years ago, news that the **Ballarat **region was home to the richest alluvial goldfield in the world resulted in a population explosion. Wannabe prospectors sailed from all over the world praying they'd find a fortune in their pans, and many did. The nuggets dried up eventually, though, but the rich heritage remained - the gold rush bankrolled the creation of the opulent buildings, fountains and gardens that give the city its famed old-world charm today.

For the current Ballarat community, the perks of life here are slightly humbler. Reasonably priced property; great schools; lots of open space for sport, rest and play; and quick and easy transport to the city make this a perfect place to raise a family.

The central highlands region captures a physically stunning slab of Victoria steeped in historical significance. A life here can offer all the city mod cons with a great escape only a short drive away, or you can make a true change of pace by living in a small town or on a farm.

If wanderlust is more your mode, head straight for the Grampians National Park. ‘The Grampians' are famed for stellar granite formations, gorgeous lakes and breathtaking panoramic views - just search ‘Grampians lookouts' and you'll get an idea of what we're talking about.

Many hotspots are accessible by car, and are a great place to clear your head, while others might challenge you to get your compass out and find your own way. The Grampians are so expansive and varied that it doesn't matter whether you love to camp, ride, fish or swim; you'll be able to find your own corner of the park to cherish.

**How to apply**
- Applications close 11:59pm on 30