Griffith Criminology Institute
Griffith Criminology Institute (GCI) is a large, diverse, and high-performing group of scholars focused on crime and justice issues. Through collaboration and innovation our research is helping find solutions to universal problems. GCI hosts the Transforming Corrections to Transform Lives Centre. The Centre’s vision is to support mothers and their children to have safe, dignified, and fulfilling lives, breaking down intergenerational cycles of disadvantage and incarceration, by transforming systems and generating new knowledge for evidence-based programs.

The Transforming Corrections to Transform Lives (TCTL) Centre is seeking to appoint four (4) Program Coaches (Identified and Non identified) for the Southeast Queensland area. TCTL acknowledges that in Australia, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are overrepresented in prison populations. The coaches will deliver a new model of care that provides mothers, including First Nations’ mothers and children, with support during their prison sentence and post-release. The Program aspires to ensure that mothers are provided with continuity of care until they have sufficient stability and are sufficiently empowered to continue meeting their needs, improving their own lives, and supporting the positive development of their children. The program of support will:

1. Be multimodal in its approach (addressing not just parenting skills but also mental health needs, substance use problems, housing needs, etc);
2. Be multisystemic, working across the multiple developmental systems that parents and children have contact with (e.g., prisons, family, schools, community, employment, multiple agencies, and service providers), and
3. Work with parents and their children during the custody period and for a substantial period after release.
4. Be rigorously evaluated by the TCTL Centre researchers.

Key responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Implementing the trial of the Transform Lives Program in Queensland women’s correctional centres and in the community, including the implementation of individual and ongoing case planning and support for mothers and their children
• Drawing on emerging best practice in working with families of prisoners, families with complex needs, and First Nations families, to provide mothers and their children with continuity of support, proportionate to needs, during custody and for up to three years after the mother returns to the community.
• Preparing high quality initial and progressive assessment documents, identifying and responding appropriately to the needs of mothers and their children.
• Developing and maintaining strong and productive relationships with key stakeholders and service providers in the community to support the work of the Transform Lives Program.
• Supporting the collection of relevant research and evaluation data required to establish the effectiveness of the Transform Lives Program.

This is a full-time, fixed term (3.5 years) position with a potential for extension based at the Griffith University Mt Gravatt campus. It is expected that the successful candidate will undertake regular travel within South East Queensland, meeting with stakeholders, partners, Program Managers and mothers and their children in the Program. A vehicle (or expense provision) will be provided to support the successful candidate in carrying out their duties.

About You
The occupant of this position will hold a four-year undergraduate degree in social work or psychology or a related discipline and be eligible for registration with relevant professional bodies; or an equivalent combination of training, education and experience.

You will demonstrate a breadth and depth of professional skills and knowledge in the human services/social work/community service/youth work field with excellent knowledge of the issues affecting incarcerated women and their children.

You will have the ability to work effectively with First Nations women and children and to understand and respect First Nations ways of knowing, being and doing, and knowledge of the issues that may impact them in contemporary society and in a forensic context. You will have demonstrated experience working cross culturally with a solid understanding of cultural competency.

You will also have:

• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and effectively with government and non-government agencies and with clients and their families through the use of well-developed communication, consultation and conflict resolution skills.
• Knowledge of ethical and legal principles involved in working with mothers in prison or on community correctional orders and working with minors.
• Knowledge of (or the ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of) social ecological, multisystemic and multi-agency case conceptualisation, intervention and support, and First People cultures and the issues that may impact upon them in contemporary society and in a forensic context.
• High-level interpersonal skills and highly developed verbal and written communication skills as well as strong organisational skills. You will be self-motivated and able to demonstrate a high level of individual initiative, discretion, attention to detail and judgement. You will have demonstrated ability to work independently and with minimal supervision to meet competing deadlines and work effectively as a team member.

You must hold a valid driver’s licence for Queensland. Applicants must undertake and pass, on an annual basis, a Criminal History Check for the purposes of entering correctional centres. You must hold a valid blue card in Queensland or be eligible to obtain one upon appointment.

The TCTL Centre is committed to ensuring that program delivery and evaluation recognises, respects, and is inclusive of, Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Salary Range
The base salary for a Program Coach will be a Clinician Level 1 or 2. Clinician 1 is in the range $87,913 - $95,994 per annum and Clinician 2 is in the range $102,194 - $110,095 per annum, plus 17% employer superannuation.

Why join Griffith?
As a values-led organisation, at Griffith University, we've worked hard to create a dynamic and strong organisational culture. We support the professional and personal development of all our employees and invest in the skills of our people. We offer:

• mix of on campus and work from home flexibility available and a supportive work environment.
• salary packaging options and corporate health discounts.
• generous leave entitlements including paid parental leave and leave loading.
• support with future learning opportunities through our educational staff assistance scheme.

Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. For more information please visit our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page.

How to Apply
Please submit your application online and ensure your application includes the following: 

• A covering letter outlining your suitability for the role, in particular addressing the key criteria as listed in the 'About You' section (above)
• Current curriculum vitae/resume which should include: 
  • Full name, address, telephone number and email address; 
  • Details of education, professional training and qualifications; 
  • Employment history, including present position and details of relevant professional experience;
  • If applicable, registration with, or membership of, professional bodies;
  • Any other relevant information, such as offices held in professional bodies, experience with relevant client groups, community services etc. 
  • At least three referees

Click here to view the Position Description.

Applicants must have unrestricted work rights for the duration of this appointment. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Successful candidates will be subject to a criminal history check and will be required to hold a valid blue card in Queensland.

Further Information
For further information specifically about this role, please contact Jaime O’Donovan, Program Manager at [email protected]

For further application and recruitment advice, please contact Theresa Burke, Talent Acquisition Partner on [email protected]

Closing date:  Monday, 31 July 2023 at 5:00pm AEST. All applications must be submitted online.