Department of Corrective Services

CCOs use research-led, contemporary counselling and interventions to achieve positive behaviour change in adult offenders.  CCOs supervise adult offenders in the community and provide advice and reports to courts and releasing authorities, based on assessment and analysis of offending behaviour.  CCOs work in community based centres, program centres, prisons and the courts

Each CCO is allocated a number of offenders to work with. They meet these offenders on a regular basis to help them return to a law-abiding lifestyle. This may involve the CCO developing a rehabilitation program for the offender, linking them with other services for treatment programs, ensuring they comply with supervision orders from the courts, or checking to see they have completed any community work requirements. CCOs provide advice to the courts and releasing authorities regarding the sentencing of offenders, based on their views and analysis of the offender’s behaviour while under supervision.

• a highly-competitive starting salary
• a 37.5-hour working week
• non-contributory superannuation
• four weeks annual leave, 15 days personal leave and long service leave after seven years of service
• study assistance
• full on-the-job and off-site training
• opportunities to travel and to work in regional areas, with housing assistance.

Salary

$ 57,192 to $60,444 per annum

CCOs come from a variety of backgrounds – some are social work or psychology graduates while others come from experienced leadership roles in the community – and all bring personal strengths, skills and experience to the positions.

Effective CCOs have a broad range of skills and abilities to meet the demands of these diverse roles.  They are committed to helping people and have a resilient approach to the challenges that are associated with working with offenders.

Key qualities of a CCO include:

• cultural understanding and sensitivity
• ability to work in a challenging environment that requires face-to-face dealings with offenders
• strong communication skills to counsel and manage offenders
• problem-solving and analytical skills and ability to respond in high-pressure situations
• productive in a team or when working alone
• strong time management and organisational skills to effectively manage people, tasks and activities.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible to apply for the position of Community Corrections Officer you must:

• be prepared to undergo criminal history screening and possibly Departmental integrity checking for convictions or associations that may compromise your employment within the offender management industry.  There are certain offences and or associations that can disqualify your application.

Assessment and testing requirements

Applicants must successfully complete all assessments used in the selection process to be placed in the Appointment Pool and considered for employment. These assessments include:

• eligibility and identification checks
• Departmental application process and selection panel interview
• criminal history screening (this is undertaken by the Department following receipt of applications – applicants are not required to obtain a police clearance) and possibly integrity checking (in-house).

Appointment and offer of employment

Successful applicants will be placed in a Community Corrections Officer appointment pool and will be considered for employment as vacancies become available. 

Placement in the appointment pool does not guarantee an offer of employment.

Successful applicants offered employment   will complete a 12-week training course, normally held at the Corrective Services Training Academy located in Bentley, WA, during which the CCO is required to demonstrate specific skills, knowledge and performance requirements. This is followed by a nine-month, on-the-job practical and competency based qualification. Upon the successful completion of their training CCOs become eligible for permanent appointment.

The Department regularly conducts recruitment campaigns for CCO vacancies (usually around March and October).

Additional information is available in the Community Corrections Officer - You just can't ignore it, can you? recruitment brochure.

Community Justice Services
141 St Georges Terrace
PERTH WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 9264 1779
Facsimile: (08) 9264 6237
Contact Community and Juvenile Justice