Communication Partner / Senior Communication Partner

• Two (2) Permanent Level 2SC Positions; and
• Two (2) Permanent Level 3SC Positions.

Are you passionate about making a difference in the Western Australian justice system?

We want to hear from you.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Are you a dedicated and compassionate speech pathologist, social worker, psychologist, or similar specialist, looking to make a meaningful impact in the criminal justice setting?

Join our Communication Partner Program team and be a part of a ground-breaking, first of its kind initiative in Western Australia. We are seeking enthusiastic professionals to join us as Communication Partners, specialising in supporting vulnerable persons, throughout the court process.

As a Communication Partner you will be an independent and impartial communication specialist who is trained, accredited and will be responsible for assessing the communication needs of mentally impaired accused or supervised persons who come before the court.

Becoming a Communication Partner is an exciting opportunity to be part of one of the most substantial changes to the way mental illness and mental impairment is dealt with in the Western Australian criminal justice system. The role will align with the commencement of the substantive provisions of the Criminal Law (Mental Impairment Act) 2023 and the establishment of the new Mental Impairment Review Tribunal on 1 September 2024.

Similar roles and programs, often referred to as intermediaries or witness intermediaries, currently exist with great success in other jurisdictions around Australia, and the world… These exciting new roles will be the first of their kind in WA and will provide an opportunity to be part of the beginning of a new era.

The Communication Partner Program will be based in the Court Counselling and Support Services team within the Department of Justice. As part of our team, you will play a crucial role in ensuring that vulnerable persons receive fair and equitable treatment within the WA criminal justice system.

The Communication Partner Level 2SC, is responsible for providing advice to the courts and the Tribunal relating to communication with an accused or supervised person through an assessment of their cognitive and communication abilities. This position also provides specialist communication assistance to an accused or supervised person as they engage in the justice process.

The Senior Communication Partner Level 3SC, is responsible for providing advice to the courts and the Tribunal relating to communication with an accused or supervised person through an assessment of their cognitive and communication abilities. The position also mentors and contributes to the development of other Communication Partners and contributes to the education and training of various stakeholders on best practices for supporting individuals with communication challenges in legal contexts.

BENEFITS AND OPPORTUNITIES

• Flexible working arrangements.
• Competitive salary.
• 11.5% superannuation increasing to 12% by 1 July 2025.
• Career pathway opportunities.
• Learning and development opportunity programs.
• Great leave arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance.
• Offices are based in the Perth CBD close to public transport, shopping and restaurants.
• Extensive on-job training
• Enjoy secure employment within the WA Public Service

Check out the attached Applicant Information Pack to find out other benefits of working for Justice

ABOUT JUSTICE

When you join the Department of Justice, you become part of a people-focused organisation, working hard to make our community a fairer and safer place to live. We offer many different employment opportunities in locations around Western Australia. You will have a chance to make a real difference to your local communities and to the lives of those you work with.

APPLICATION PROCESS

How to apply

Please ensure you review the attached Job Description Form (JDF) for further information about the requirements of the position. This information will assist you with the preparation of your application.

For more information about the recruitment and selection process and other benefits, please refer to the Applicant Information Pack.

We require you to submit:

1. A one page covering letter detailing which position you are applying for: the Communication Partner position, the Senior Communication Partner position, or both, highlighting your experience skills and capabilities as they relate to the role.
2. A current and comprehensive Curriculum Vitae / Resume that clearly highlights your employment history and suitability for this position in the context of all the role specific criteria and/or that demonstrates your skillsets contained in the JDF.
3. Contact details of two referees with one preferably being your current line manager/supervisor.

As part of the recruitment process, applicants may need to attend an interview and half day assessment in person, in Perth CBD.

Please indicate which positions you are applying for in your application. The panel will take your preference into consideration however, the selection panel will make the final decision.

Please ensure you allow sufficient time to submit your application, as we are unable to consider late or incomplete applications.

Pool Recruitment

This pool will be open for a period of 12 months from the day after the breach of standard claim period closes. Permanent, full time appointments may be offered as vacancies arise; however, an appointment is not guaranteed.

The Department of Justice uses recruitment pools to build a bank of talent for future opportunities. Applicants found suitable in this pool, may be considered for subsequent, similar vacancies at similar locations, with the Department of Justice for the duration of the pool.

EQUITY AND DIVERSITY

The Department of Justice is committed in building a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion. We actively promote the employment of Aboriginal Australians, people with disability, youth, and other diversity groups. People with disability will be provided with reasonable adjustments in our recruitment processes and in the workplace.

Aboriginal job seekers may contact the Aboriginal Workforce Development Team on aboriginalworkforcedevelopment@justice.wa.gov.au or call (08) 9264 1700 for culturally appropriate application advice.

Applicants with disability requiring adjustment or accessibility requirements at any stage of the selection process can contact the hiring manager as listed under the ‘Further Information’ section or contact WorkforceDiversity@justice.wa.gov.au or call (08) 9264 1700 to for a confidential discussion.

ELIGIBILITY

• To be eligible for a permanent appointment to the Western Australian public sector it is essential that you are an Australian citizen or have permanent residency status in Australia.
• Possession of a current WA Motor Vehicle Driver’s Licence.
• Applicants must meet the essential criteria relating to tertiary qualification, as outlined in the relevant JDF’s.
• This position is identified under section 6 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 as Child Related Work. Applicants must have a current Working with Children Check to be eligible for appointment to this position.
• All employees are required to undergo employment screening, which includes a National Criminal History Check and other checks that may be relevant to the position requirements.

FOR FURTHER JOB-RELATED INFORMATION

If you would like further information regarding the vacancy please contact Terry McAdam, Principal Project Officer at CLMITeam@justice.wa.gov.au for a confidential discussion.

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

Applicants are requested to apply online. To submit your application, click the “Apply for Job” button at the bottom of this advertisement.

Please ensure you allow sufficient time to submit your application, as late applications will not be accepted.

If you are having difficulty submitting your online application, please telephone RAMS Helpdesk on 1300 733 056 for assistance.

To keep you up to date on what is happening in Department of Justice and job opportunities you can go directly to the departments website or follow us on social media.