Assessment Clinician

Department for Correctional Services
Job reference: 857174
Location: 5085 - NORTHFIELD
Job status: Ongoing
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

About the Department for Correctional Services

The Department employs approximately 2,000 staff and has responsibility for nine prisons and fifteen Community Correctional offices across the state. Our vision is for a safer community by protecting the public and reducing re-offending. We work towards this through the contribution of staff who are employed in a wide variety of fields, from correctional officers and teachers, to social workers, psychologists and supervisors of court orders. Their commitment ensures we deliver quality services to prisoners, offenders and victims of crime. We strongly promote diversity and equity in our workforce, which directly contributes to greater effectiveness and better outcomes. In a supportive and collaborative environment, you will encounter interesting professional challenges and you will work alongside dedicated and passionate people who help to turn around the lives of offenders and rebuild lives affected by crime.

Duties

The overall purpose of the position is to provide comprehensive prisoner assessments which fulfil Departmental policies, procedures and legislative requirements. The position of Assessment Clinician is required to conduct scientifically based criminogenic risk/needs assessments focusing on the factors that contribute to criminal offending. The position will conduct case formulations and develop suitable rehabilitation plans for individual offenders.

This position of Assessment Clinician is responsible for providing comprehensive assessments of prisoners across all custodial institutions. The client group consists of both male and female offenders, including sex offenders, violent offenders, and offenders with substance abuse and mental health issues. Due to the over-representation of Aboriginal prisoners within the Department for Correctional Services (DCS), there is an expectation that the client work load will include a significant number of Aboriginal offenders.

Special Conditions

• Section 47 of the Public Sector Act 2009 applies in conjunction with other provisions of the act and other applicable industrial entitlements.
• The incumbent is required to satisfactorily complete a National Criminal History Check;
• A current South Australian Driver’s Licence is essential;
• A flexible approach to working hours is required;
• Some interstate and intrastate travel will be required which may necessitate overnight absences.
• Some out of hours travel may be required for which time off in lieu can be negotiated.

Requirements

Essential:

AHP2: A degree level qualification in either social work or psychology giving eligibility to membership with the relevant professional association.

PO2: Appropriate tertiary degree level qualifications in community services, sociology, criminology, justice, correctional practice, social sciences, human services, health or related field.

Desirable: Nil

Remuneration

AHP2 ($94,997 - $110,052 pa)

PO2 ($94,769 - $109,787 pa)

Enquiries

Ms Sharna Plummer

A/Manager of Assessment and Sentence Planning

0456 495 199

Sharna.Plummer@sa.gov.au

Application Instructions

All applications must be submitted online via I Work for SA.

All written applications are required to include a cover letter of no more than 2 pages quoting the vacancy number and outlining your skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the role you are applying.

Applicants are also required to submit a CV, including three referees.

Refer to the Advice to Applicants for information on how to apply.

Applicants are required to complete the Employment Declaration if not currently employed by the Department for Correctional Services.

Additional Information 

This is an ongoing vacancy with multiple contract positions available.

The successful applicant will be appointed at either classification depending on the qualification and experience held.

DCS is an equal opportunities employer, and our workplace reflects the diverse communities that we serve. Safety at Work is central to our mission — emphasising respectful relationships, psychological wellbeing, and the physical and cultural safety of all employees.

We welcome and encourage applications from women, Aboriginal people, people of African heritage, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, LGBTIQA+, neurodivergent people, people living with disability, people of all ages, and other diversity groups. We support flexible ways of working including part-time working arrangements, wherever reasonably possible, and strive to ensure a fair, accessible, and barrier-free recruitment process. We encourage you to share any support or access needs when you apply.

Applications close: 25/09/2026 11:00 PM

Attachments:
- Advice to Applicants CV Cover Letter Only.pdf
- J&P_Assessment Clinician (AHP)_20230926.pdf
- DCS Pre-Employment Declaration - V8.3 August 2026 (Fillable).pdf

Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.