Services and Programs Officer - Wellington
Closes: Feb 19, 2026
Department: Corrective Services NSW
Location: Wellington, NSW, AU, 2820
Req ID: 78610
Services and Programs Officer
Corrective Services NSW
Location: Macquarie Correctional Centre (Wellington)
Employment type: Ongoing, Full time
Salary: $99,938 - $110,270 pa plus superannuation and leave loading
Your role
Macquarie Correctional Centre is a dormitory-style prison and houses maximum-security sentenced and unsentenced male inmates and is located adjacent to the Wellington Correctional Centre (345km northwest of Sydney). The staff culture is positive, and all disciplines are committed to inmate rehabilitation and well-being. Macquarie Correctional Centre structured day model ensures maximum time out-of-cells, enabling inmates to spend half a day working and half a day undertaking education/programs.
As a Services and Programs Officer (SAPO) you will make a real impact by delivering criminogenic programs, services and critical support to ensure the safe and humane management of offenders, inspire positive change and help individuals prepare for life beyond custody.
What you’ll do
As a Services and Programs Officer, you’ll play a vital role in transforming lives and creating safer communities. Your day-to-day work will be dynamic and impactful, including:
- Empowering change – Deliver accredited group programs that inspire positive behaviour and personal growth.
- Promoting wellbeing – Champion health promotion and harm reduction strategies that make a real difference.
- Making it personal – Provide tailored one-on-one interventions to support individual needs.
- Being the calm in the storm – Respond to critical situations with expertise, compassion, and practical solutions.
- Planning for success – Help offenders prepare for life beyond custody with pre-release planning and community referrals.
- Keeping it professional – Maintain accurate case notes and documentation using the Offender Integrated Management System (OIMS).
What we’re looking for
Key Knowledge and Experience
- Deep understanding of the transitional challenges faced by offenders and their families.
- Proven ability in delivering interventions for clients with complex welfare needs, including alcohol and drug-related issues.
- Experience in facilitating group-based programs that drive positive behavioural change.
- Strong knowledge of alcohol and other drug dependence, along with evidence-based intervention strategies.
Essential Requirements
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in social work, psychology, mental health, or other human services fields; OR equivalent experience working with family, social, and/or drug and alcohol-related issues.
- Certificate IV in Correctional Practice (or willingness to complete within CSNSW timeframes).
- A current driver licence and the flexibility to travel across NSW.
Download the role description.
To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now’ button.
We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply – you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.
What We Offer
We offer a variety of benefits, including:
- A challenging and rewarding career
- Flexible, autonomous work environment
- Competitive pay and conditions
- Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
- Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.
Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.
We do work that really matters
Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.
Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!
Are you ready to join us?
Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).
Applications close Monday, 9 February 2025 at 11:59pm AEST.
Got a question?
For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Rachel Bates via email Rachel.Bates@correctiveservices.nsw.gov.au
If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please email Aeron Santos on Aeron.Santos@dcj.nsw.gov.au
Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.
Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit
We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.
To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.
Other Information
A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.
For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website.
Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.
To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/
The Welcome Experience
Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience
Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience
The careers site currently promotes this service on the ‘Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW’ page.
