Recruiting now! Use your life skills to make a difference at QCS (with audio grabs)
- New QCS billboards up around the state
- Face of billboards, John, recently received National Medal for 15 years’ service
- Former tradespersons, miners, teachers and retail workers bring useful skills
Former tradespersons, retail assistants, teachers, miners and health care workers are some of the people being sought by Queensland Corrective Services for Custodial Correctional Officer (CCO) roles across the state.
New billboards encouraging locals and visitors to consider a career with QCS will be a feature for passing motorists for the next few months at:
– Kennedy Highway, Mareeba East (Emerald Creek)
– the corner of Queen Elizabeth Drive and Edwin Street, Rockhampton,
– opposite Country Bank Stadium on Saunders Street, Townsville
One of the billboard faces, Correctional Supervisor John, was recently awarded the National Medal for 15 years of diligent service to the front line of public safety. John exemplifies a common path into the CCO role, having previously been a self-employed cabinet maker and shopfitter and bringing those trade skills into the correctional environment.
QCS Custodial Correctional Officers play a vital role in keeping Queensland communities safe by managing and rehabilitating prisoners in low and high-security settings, using a variety of skills and experience coming from all walks of life.
The role of a CCO is dynamic and varied, managing prisoner movements one day to assisting them through their rehabilitation pathway the next. There are also opportunities to work in different specialist areas including cultural liaison officers and trade instructors.
QCS maintains an ongoing recruitment campaign for roles throughout Queensland. Eligible candidates who relocate from South East Queensland or interstate to Rockhampton or Townsville may be eligible for relocation assistance package of up to $7000.
Quotes attributable to Eloise Hamlett ACM, Assistant Commissioner, Northern and Central Command, QCS:
“Working in corrective services is a rewarding career as you can contribute to the safety of Queensland communities, work in a collaborative, supportive team environment and make a positive difference to the lives of others.
“We welcome people who have real world experience behind them and are looking for a change, as well as young people about to embark on a lifelong, secure career.
“Our new billboards feature real correctional officers who are proud of the work they do.
“QCS is looking for people who want to make a real difference and have skills that come from a variety of experience, be it in mining, retail, teaching, hospitality, or even civil construction.
“Problem solving, listening and helping people to change their behaviour are all attributes that would make a fantastic QCS officer.
“My advice to anyone considering a career in corrections is to get in touch and we can talk you through the process.”
Quotes attributable to Custodial Correctional Supervisor John, face of the billboard in Rockhampton and Mareeba:
“Being the face of our new billboard makes me very proud.
“I joined QCS in 2004 and have never looked back. I was previously a cabinet maker/shopfitter and had a farming background while growing up. At QCS I have had the opportunity to use that background and be a trade instructor helping offenders learn new skills and set themselves on a better path.
“I’m now a Supervisor and get to work closely with many varied areas in the correctional system, including the intelligence team, dog squad, sentence management and also externally with the police, ambulance and fire departments. There are always opportunities to do some new and interesting at QCS.
“You don’t need to come from a specific background to be a correctional officer, all you need is a great attitude and ability to learn.
“You really can be in control of your future, so if you want to be an officer, supervisor or manager you will get the support to achieve that. With the work/life balance you also get the flexibility to spend time with family and friends doing other things you love.
“I have recommended this job to many people from all walks of life because it is that diversity that helps us to manage offenders in our care and contribute to keeping Queensland communities safe.”
Further information:
• Other digital billboards are located in Maryborough as well as Enoggera and Milton in South East Queensland.
• Custodial Correctional Supervisor John is a recipient of the National Medal for more than 15 years’ service with QCS.
• QCS has a new careers page online. For more information and to find out how to join, head to Careers | Queensland Corrective Services (corrections.qld.gov.au).
• The total remuneration package for a QCS Custodial Correctional Officer ranges from $81,645 to $117,152 which includes base salary plus allowances and employer superannuation contributions. CCOs work a compressed seven-day fortnight.
• Eligible candidates who relocate from interstate or South East Queensland to Capricornia (Rockhampton), Townsville or Lotus Glen (Mareeba) Correctional Centres may also be eligible for a relocation assistance package up to the value of $7000.
Audio grabs below from Custodial Correctional Supervisor John:
I joined Queensland Corrective Services in…
I am now a Correctional Supervisor…
At Queensland Corrective Services…
You don’t need to come from a specific background…
I’ve recommended this job to many people…