Lockyer Valley – unlock a new career in community safety
Southern Queensland Correctional Centre is actively recruiting for 26 new custodial correctional officers to fill positions in the Lockyer Valley.
Applications are now open with visiting recruitment specialists conducting assessments and interviews in Gatton on 15-16 June 2022.
Southern Queensland Correctional Centre, Acting Chief Superintendent Colin Poole encouraged locals to apply to join the top tier public safety agency and make a real difference to the safety of the Lockyer Valley community.
“Queensland Corrective Services’ officers work hard to improve public safety, striving to ensure prisoners and offenders are less likely to return to crime,” A/g Ch Supt Poole said.
“Working at the frontline is deeply meaningful work – we transform lives, and communities, every single day.
“Our officers are highly valued, they come from a range of different backgrounds to create a strong, diverse and empowered workforce and we equip them with the highest level of training, skills and support to perform their roles safely and effectively,” A/g Ch Supt Poole said.
Queensland Corrective Services offers a progressive career path across a range of exciting roles in prisoner management and rehabilitation, including:
- custodial correctional officers in prisons, courts and escort security vehicles
- trade instructors
- dog squad officers
- psychologists and social workers
- cultural liaison officers
- administrative officers.
Gaibree-Elle Nevin (Gabby) swapped an Air New Zealand uniform for a Queensland Corrective Services’ uniform when the COVID-19 pandemic ended her five-year career as a long-haul flight attendant.
“I had heard of Queensland Corrective Services so when I saw a job advertisement for a custodial correctional officer, I was very interested,” Gabby said.
“The qualities and attributes needed to become a custodial correctional officer were similar to my skills in the airline industry and I was looking to join the public sector for job security, work life balance and endless career opportunities.”
Gabby has been with QCS for 12 months and works as a custodial correctional officer (SQCC).
“My role in the secure unit at Southern Queensland Correctional Centre involves working face-to-face with prisoners and making life inside prison safe and secure, while ensuring prisoners are following unit and centre rules.
“I get to know the prisoners and build respect so they listen to advice which I hope will have a positive impact on their behaviour change and their future back in the community.
“I also support their rehabilitation by making them accountable for their actions, even if it’s a small action such as forgetting their towel for the gym.
“Accountability is something they may not have had in childhood, so the small and mundane actions are actually quite significant for them.”
Gabby suggests confidence in yourself to do the job well is key to being a successful corrections officer and urges anyone interested in joining QCS to give it a go.
For information on how to apply to join Queensland Corrective Services, visit corrections.qld.gov.au/careers
Successful applicants will complete a paid 10-week Custodial Officer Entry Program to prepare for the challenges of working in a correctional centre, and relocation reimbursement payments are available for those who move to the region to take up a position.
A Queensland Corrective Services’ Assessment Centre involves a half-day session to consider the suitability of applicants using panel interviews, group and computer assessments.
The Gatton Assessment Centre will be held at the Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre, 34 Lake Apex Drive, Gatton on 15-16 June.