Department for Correctional Services
Job reference: 852586
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
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 Senior Advisor, Aboriginal Employment, Training and Staff Support is responsible for providing leadership and management of Aboriginal projects, programs and initiatives in relation to employment, training and staff support. The incumbent is responsible for the delivery of Aboriginal emplpyment and training strategies throughout the department with a strong focus on contributing to the overall support of all Aboriginal staff. This includes the promotion, recruitement and retention of Aboriginal staff in the department. 

 

Special Conditions

• Section 47 of the Public Sector Act 2009 applies in conujnction 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 License is essential. 
• A flexible approach to working hours is required. 
• Some interstate and intrastate travel will be required which may necessitate overnight absences. 

 

Requirements

• Proven experience to communicate and work with Aboriginal people and cpmmunities in a way which displays empathy and cultural sensitivity and an ability to listen attentively.
• Demonstrated ability to think flexibly, innovatively and creatively in the development of projects, programs and initiatives targeted at Aboriginal staff and prospective employee's. 
  
  
• Significant experience in providing expert advisory and specialist consultancy services to senior management relating to the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal staff including the ability to develop culturally appropriate strategies for attracting suitable Aboriginal staff to DCS. 
  
  
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and to develop and maintain networks, partnerships and working allliances with community agencies. 
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to work with a minimum of direction to meet deadlines and to effectively communicate in a clear and succinct manner both orally, and in writing to all levels of the Department and across State Government. 
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to produce reports, recommendations and other departmental correspondence to DCS Executive and Senior Managers, on Aboriginal employment outcomes and other recruitement programs. 
  
  
• Experience in identifiying and analysing problems and implementing solutions. 
  
  
• Proven ability to provide leadership when required including mentoring to staff at all levels and to support a roader departmental team-oriented approach. 
  
  
• Experience in co-ordinating and managing employment initiative programs such as Graduate, Cadetship and Traineeship programs or similar. 
  
  
• Knowledge of the issues faced by Aboriginal offenders and the Aboriginal community within the context of the Criminal Justice System. 
  
  
• Experience working in human service organisations. 
  
  
• General knowledge of the DCS organisational structure ad the South Australian Justice portfolio. 
  
  
• General knowledge of personnel management principles under the Public Sector Act, Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act, and the Equal Oppourtunity Act. 

 

Remuneration

ASO6 ($105,747 - $111,854)

 

Enquiries

Mr Lachlan Mills 

Manager, Aboriginal Strategy, Policy & Government Relations 

(08) 8218 2066

Lachlan.Mills@sa.gov.au

 

Application Instructions

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

All written applications must provide a covering letter, all written applications are required to include additional information that specifically addresses the selection criteria outlined in the Job and Person Specification. Your response to each key selection criteria should not exceed one page in length.

Please note: Applicants that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered for shortlisting. 

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 a temporary vacancy for up to 12 months.

There is one position available.

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

This position is only open to applicants of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent pursuant to Section 56 (2) of the Equal Opportunity Act, 1984.

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.

 

Applications close: 08/08/2026 11:00 PM

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.