Careers

Our recruitment decisions are based on merit. Using a competitive selection process, we make an overall assessment of each candidate’s skills, experience, qualifications and personal qualities against the requirements of the role.

Selection processes and decisions are free of bias and unlawful discrimination.

Our selection process is designed to ensure the most suitable candidate is appointed to the position.

How to apply

All available vacancies are advertised on the Department of Justice and Community Safety's Careers website (External link).

The advertisement will contain a Position Description which provides information about the role’s duties and responsibilities. It also outlines the skills, experience, qualifications and personal qualities we are looking for in the successful candidate.

To apply, simply click on the “Apply Now” button at the bottom of the job advertisement, then either log in if you are an existing user or register as a new user.

What to include in your application

To help us in assessing your potential suitability for the position, you are asked to submit a résumé and covering letter. The job advertisement will mention if you need to supply any additional information.

You should ensure that your résumé and covering letter highlight your skills and experience relevant to all aspects of the position for which you are applying.

Please ensure all attachments uploaded are in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf format.

Short-listing

After the closing date for applications, the selection panel will review and assess each of the applications received against the requirements of the position.

The selection panel will then determine which candidates will progress to the next stage in the selection process.

Interview

The next step in the selection process is usually an interview between the short-listed candidates and the selection panel. If you are short-listed for interview, you will be contacted to arrange a suitable day and time to attend the interview.

During the interview, the selection panel will ask you a series of questions to help them further assess your potential suitability for the position.

The questions will focus on the requirements of the position and are likely to ask you to draw upon your experience and talk about specific situations that you have encountered in the past. In your responses, you are encouraged to adopt the ‘STAR’ approach:

• Situation - What was the situation and how did it arise?
• Task - What was the outcome you needed to achieve and what were your responsibilities?
• Action - What did you actually do, why did you do it and what alternatives did you consider?
• Result - What was the outcome, what did you learn and is there anything you should have done differently?

Not only is the interview used to assess your potential suitability for the position, it is also an opportunity for you to ask questions of the selection panel to help you decide if this is the right role for you.

In addition to interview questions, you may be asked to complete one or more practical exercises to help assess your potential suitability for the position.

Reference checks, further interviews and testing

If you successfully progress through the interview stage of the selection process, you will usually be asked to provide the names and contact details of at least two professional, work-related referees who can be contacted to discuss your skills, experience and performance.

It is expected that at least one of these referees will be your current or previous manager.

All appointments to the department are subject to reference checks, misconduct screening and criminal records checks. Some positions may also be subject to a medical check and/or 'Working with Children Check'.

All staff must comply with departmental policies and procedures, the 'One Justice' values and the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector employees.

Pre-employment misconduct screening applies to all proposed appointments within the department and its statutory authorities.

All applicants must disclose any current or previous Victorian Public Service employment history as well as any other relevant interstate or privately managed corrections agencies.

As per the Code of Conduct, public sector employees should advise their manager if they have been or become charged with any criminal offences that could reasonably be seen to affect their ability to meet the inherent requirements of the work they are engaged to perform.

Employees are also required to declare any conflicts of interests such as outside employment, business or volunteer activities and any associations with individuals who you know or suspect to be engaged in any unlawful activity.

If the position is based in a prison, custodial centre or community corrections location or has offender management responsibilities, employment will be subject to a number of additional pre-employment security and safety checks, including: 

• Pre-Employment Security Check (Declaration Form)
• Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks (NCCHC) and Fingerprints Check and International Police Clearance (where applicable)
• VicRoads Information Check and Interstate Drivers Licence Check (if applicable).

Advising outcomes

If you are the recommended candidate for the position, you will be contacted to discuss the conditions of your proposed appointment.

Department policy stipulates that salary upon commencement is paid at the base of the salary range for the relevant grade. Any above base requests require sign off by an executive delegate and will be by exception only or where required to match the current salary of Victorian Public Service staff transferring at level.

Unsuccessful candidates will be advised via email. Please note that due to the high number of applications the department receives, feedback is generally only available to those candidates who reach the interview stage of the selection process.

Eligibility for employment

To be eligible for employment with us, you must be:

• an Australian citizen, or
• an Australian permanent resident, or
• a New Zealand citizen.

If you do not meet the above criteria, but hold a valid visa which enables you to work in Australia and at the department, you should contact the nominated contact person for the position to discuss your eligibility for the role.

For further information

All advertised vacancies will have the name and contact details of the appropriate person for you to contact if you have any questions about the vacancy.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are also welcome to contact our Aboriginal Workforce Unit via aboriginalworkforce@justice.vic.gov.au (External link)