Services and Programs Officer
Corrective Services NSW
Location – Bathurst, Lithgow, Kirkconnell Correctional Centres
Employment type – Ongoing, Full time and creation of Talent Pool for ongoing and temporary roles
Salary – $99,938-$110,271 Plus Superannuation and Annual Leave Loading
Grade – Clerk Grade 5/6
Your role
As a Services and Programs Officer (SAPO), you provide assessment, case management, and intervention services to offenders and remandees to support their safe, secure, and humane management within correctional settings. The role focuses on delivering evidence-based programs and targeted interventions that address individual risks and needs, promote behavioural change, and reduce reoffending.
What you’ll do
Key Responsibilities
Assessment & Case Management
- Contribute to intake screening, induction, and comprehensive assessment of offenders, identifying criminogenic needs and risks.
- Support the development, implementation, and review of individualised case plans aligned with offender needs and rehabilitation goals.
- Provide ongoing case management and fundamental support to offenders with complex issues, including substance use, mental health, and social challenges.
- Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation and case notes within the Offender Integrated Management System (OIMS).
Program Delivery
- Facilitate accredited and approved group-based programs within correctional centres and community settings.
- Deliver structured interventions targeting behavioural change, substance misuse, and reintegration readiness.
- Apply evidence-based approaches to engage offenders and encourage participation in programs.
- Support health promotion and harm reduction initiatives to improve offender wellbeing.
Crisis Intervention & Support
- Respond to and manage critical incidents and crisis situations involving offenders, providing immediate support and intervention.
- Assist offenders experiencing acute distress or behavioural issues through appropriate intervention strategies and referrals.
- Work collaboratively with custodial staff and external services to resolve complex situations safely and effectively.
Pre-release & Reintegration Support
- Assist with pre-release planning, including identifying supports and facilitating referrals to community-based services.
- Engage with families, community organisations, and stakeholders to support successful reintegration outcomes.
Key Challenges
- Effectively engaging offenders who may demonstrate low motivation or resistance to change.
- Managing a diverse caseload with complex and competing needs in a custodial or community environment.
- Building and maintaining effective working relationships with internal teams, families, and external service providers.
What we’re looking for
Capabilities & Experience
- Strong understanding of offender rehabilitation, behaviour change principles, and factors influencing recidivism.
- Demonstrated experience in assessment, case management, and intervention with clients presenting complex welfare, alcohol, and drug-related needs.
- Experience facilitating group-based programs and engaging diverse participant groups.
- Knowledge of alcohol and other drug dependence, including evidence-based intervention strategies.
- Effective communication, interpersonal, and report-writing skills.
Essential Requirements
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in social work, psychology, mental health, or related human services field, or equivalent experience.
- Completion of, or willingness to undertake, Certificate IV in Correctional Practice within required timeframes.
- Current driver licence with the ability to travel across NSW as required.
Download the role description.
To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now’ button.
We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply – you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.
What We Offer
We offer a variety of benefits, including:
- A challenging and rewarding career
- Flexible, autonomous work environment
- Competitive pay and conditions
- Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
- Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.
Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.
We do work that really matters
Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.
Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!
Are you ready to join us?
Click apply, attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 3 pages) addressing the 2 targeted questions below with a brief outline on how you meet the requirements of the role:
- Describe a time when you had to manage an ethical dilemma while working with a vulnerable or resistant client. How did you ensure your actions remained professional, ethical, and aligned with policy, and how did you communicate your approach to others? 200-400 words
- Tell us about a time when you were responsible for managing multiple clients or cases with competing priorities. How did you plan your work, maintain accurate documentation or records, and stay motivated while adapting to changing demands? 200-400 words
Applications close Friday 19 June 2026 at 11:59pm AEST.
Got a question?
For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Mareya Butcher via email
[email protected]
If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please contact Aeron Santos via email on
[email protected]
Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.
Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit
We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.
To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.
Other Information
A talent pool will be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months. Priority will be given to filling the role at Bathurst, Kirkconnell and Lithgow.
For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website.
Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.
To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/
The Welcome Experience
Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience
The careers site currently promotes this service on the ‘Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW’ page.
