About the Role
The Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) is seeking a dedicated and community-minded Industry Officer to join our team in Victoria. This unique role offers the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of others by providing vocational training and supervision within a correctional environment. As an Industry Officer, you will be at the forefront of rehabilitative efforts, guiding prisoners through real-world work scenarios to help them develop the practical skills necessary for employment upon their release. This is a rewarding, hands-on position where your trade expertise and leadership will directly contribute to building safer communities and reducing recidivism.
Key ResponsibilitiesIn this multifaceted role, you will be responsible for the daily operations of prison industry work areas, ensuring that production targets are met while maintaining a high standard of safety and security. Your primary focus will be the mentorship and technical training of prisoners across various service and commercial industry settings.
- Lead and supervise prisoners in commercial work areas, ensuring all tasks are completed to industry standards.
- Provide comprehensive technical training and coaching to help participants build transferable work skills and improve their future employment prospects.
- Maintain a secure and safe workplace by strictly adhering to institutional security, safety, and operational protocols.
- Monitor and manage production workflows, inventory levels, record-keeping, and equipment maintenance to support efficient daily operations.
- Apply and promote Lean manufacturing principles to optimize processes and reduce waste within the industrial environment.
- Collaborate with the wider correctional team to complete administrative reporting, process improvements, and collective production goals.
To be successful in this role, you should possess a strong background in a trade or industrial setting, combined with a passion for teaching and social outcomes. We are looking for resilient communicators who can balance production needs with a supportive training approach.
- A recognized trade qualification or significant professional experience in cabinet making, joinery, timber, or metal fabrication is highly desirable.
- Proven experience working in a manufacturing or trade-based environment where meeting production targets was a key requirement.
- An understanding of Lean manufacturing principles and a commitment to rigorous Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to lead diverse groups and manage challenging situations with resilience.
- The ability to learn prison industry procedures quickly and adapt to a high-security environment.
- A current forklift license is preferred, and the successful candidate must undergo national police checks and misconduct screening.
Joining the Victorian Public Service offers a stable and rewarding career path with competitive remuneration and a focus on professional development. You will be part of a supportive team culture that values diversity and inclusion.
- Competitive annual salary ranging from $85,787 to $98,651, plus superannuation.
- The opportunity to perform meaningful work that has a lasting positive impact on the community and individual lives.
- Access to ongoing training and professional development opportunities within the Department of Justice and Community Safety.
- A stable, full-time, ongoing position with the Victorian State Government.
- A diverse and inclusive workplace that strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to being a child-safe organization. We have zero tolerance for child abuse and are dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. We foster a culturally safe environment where rights, identity, and culture are respected.