Wellington correctional centre is among three jails at the centre of a new recruitment drive by Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW).
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More than 1,400 custodial officer roles will need to be filled as part of the largest recruitment drive in CSNSW history, as well as more than 100 community corrections officer roles.
Casual and full-time opportunities are available with a focus on the correctional centre at Wellington, as well as in the state’s central west, Cessnock in the state’s Hunter region and Long Bay in Sydney’s east.
“With a rapid build prison set to open at Wellington next year, there will be plenty of opportunities for custodial officers, programs and administrative staff,” CSNSW Commissioner Peter Severin said.
“Wellington has a rich history, being the second-oldest town west of the Blue Mountains.
“There’s affordable housing, a strong community feel and a range of businesses and services. It’s a great place to bring up a family.”
There are around 4,400 custodial officers currently employed within CSNSW, an increase of more than 430 in the past two years.
Mr Severin said new custodial officers undertake ten weeks of paid training at the Brush Farm Corrective Services Academy, which provides some of the world’s finest operational corrective services training.
On completion of training, recruits receive a nationally-recognised Certificate III in Correctional Practice and, once in the workplace, staff receive ongoing development and mentoring.
Mr Severin said working in the correctional system was challenging and rewarding.
“Supervising and interacting with offenders is not for everyone, however correctional staff play a vital role in the justice system and make an enormous contribution to the safety of the NSW community,” he said.
“Corrections welcomes people from different walks of life and age groups, which has helped build a diverse workforce.”
CSNSW is hoping to build on this diversity and in particular to attract more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to take up available opportunities.
Assistant Commissioner (Community Corrections) Rosemary Caruana said the organisation is also on the lookout for people interested in making a difference in the criminal justice system by becoming a community corrections officer at one of the 58 offices across the state.
“We manage offenders on a range of court orders, including parole,” Ms Caruana said.
“Our strategies and services are targeted at reducing re-offending and enhancing community safety. This is both a challenging and rewarding role.
“Our officers prepare reports for courts and the State Parole Authority, and develop individual case plans that address offending behaviour, which is paramount to reducing the risk of reoffending.”
Community corrections trainees complete eight weeks of paid training and a four week placement at one of the 58 offices. Further on the job training is provided over nine months resulting in a Certificate IV in Correctional Practice.
