Forensic Senior Clinician, Rivergum

Empower people and elevate your career – join Forensic Intervention Services.

• Enjoy world-class training and wellbeing support.
• Earn $113,022 – $136,747 (AH4) per year plus super.
• Based at Rivergum Residential Treatment Centre in Ararat.
• 1 Ongoing role available.

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, restorative justice, violent extremism and family violence.

This role is part of a team which provides a holistic range of advanced therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation based on the complex, multi-faceted needs of people residing at Rivergum.

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)
• Flexible work options.
• Relocation allowances for eligible candidates.

What you'll do

As a Forensic Senior Clinician, Rivergum, you will provide leadership, high level consultancy and advice to internal and external stakeholders across the system on clinical matters, particularly in relation to the management of people residing at Rivergum and their multi-systemic treatment needs.

You will:

• Deliver evidenced based, offence-specific and offence-related interventions for residents with complex, multi-faceted needs at Rivergum.
• Provide leadership and authoritative clinical advice to Rivergum operational staff and case managers, contributing to the development and maintenance of knowledge and innovation in best practice within a therapeutic environment.
• Actively support the Clinical Services Manager in fostering a strong, collaborative, multi-disciplinary team approach and culture between case managers, clinical staff, and relevant senior management to strengthen an integrated, therapeutic culture and environment.
• Actively participate in and provide expert clinical advice in meetings regarding the rehabilitation and management of residents at Rivergum,
• Prepare comprehensive reports providing authoritative clinical advice to stakeholders across the system, including the courts.
• Enhance workforce capability through the provision of supervision, training and development opportunities for Forensic Intervention Services clinical workforce and other Corrections Victoria staff.

Skills Required

• Demonstrated experience in delivering interventions within a complex environment, utilising skills within the areas of mental health, offending behaviours and substance use (sound knowledge of the principles of therapeutic communities is desirable).
• An advanced understanding of the theory and therapeutic frameworks underpinning assessment and treatment with people within the justice system, and an ability to apply these frameworks in practice, such as the Risk-Needs-Responsivity principles.
• Significant experience in and knowledge of the application of evidence-based, forensic, risk assessment tools and the delivery of individual and group treatment and behaviour intervention treatment models with complex populations (in particular, experience with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Schema Therapy, Transtheoretical Model of Change, Trauma Informed Care, and Strengths Based Approaches is desirable).
• Adherence to and demonstration of key therapist characteristics [empathy, warmth, rewarding and directive] to facilitate the therapeutic relationship and demonstrated ability to undertake and model reflective practice.

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:

• Registration as a Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency; or
• Eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Work (AASW); or
• A master's degree in psychotherapy and eligible for registration with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA); or
• A master's degree in counselling and eligible for membership with Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA); or
• Credentialed as a Mental Health Nurse with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses; or
• Registered as an Occupational Therapist with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia.

To find out more about the role and FIS, watch our career information video, visit our microsite or contact our recruitment team at

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

If this sounds like a compelling job that you believe your skills would be a great match for, please APPLY NOW. Applications close 14 September 2025.

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.