Trade overseers

Corrective Services NSW employs trade overseers in commercial Corrective Services Industries (CSI) providing inmates in correctional centres with vocational training to improve their employment opportunities when they are released from custody. Employment is a proven factor in reducing the risk of re-offending.

CSI provides products and services such as food preparation, agriculture and forestry, engineering, furniture and textile production, ground maintenance, laundry, packing and assembly, telemarketing and a range of community projects.

Recruitment campaigns for trade overseer will be conducted from time to time and will be advertised on the I work for NSW site. There are currently no recruitment campaigns for this role.

If you have missed out on previous campaigns why not set up an applicant profile on I work for NSW.

You can find further information about being a trade overseer below.

The role of a trade overseer

A variety of trade overseer positions are available across the state, in metropolitan and regional correctional centres.

As an overseer, you will be providing services to Corrective Services Industries. You will be responsible for the management, supervision and training of inmates whilst they are at work. This will involve managing, coaching, instructing and encouraging inmates as members of a team to develop their work skills to contribute to the productivity outcomes of the business unit.

The role also helps to enhance inmate employment prospects to prepare for the release of inmates into the community. This contribution is directly aligned to the management of inmates in CSNSW.

Overseers are critical in providing a positive role model by demonstrating personal values; for example, ethical personal and work practices, honesty and integrity, to those inmates in their care.

What type of person are we looking for?

We are looking for highly motivated individuals who are able to work within a competitive business environment and who can work effectively with the challenges and constraints of the correctional centre environment and inmate population.

In addition to a relevant trade qualification and experience, successful applicants will need to demonstrate the following skills and abilities:

• Supervisory skills to ensure that inmates are properly trained and supervised.
  
• Vocational coaching and training skills to motivate and develop inmates' employment skills.
• Successfully manage businesses fulfilling program and commercial expectations.
• Assertiveness and well developed interpersonal skills to deal with challenging inmate behaviours.
• A strong commitment to customer service and quality management practices.
• The ability to meet deadlines within cost and operational constraints.
• Strong awareness of safety and security issues.

A variety of trade overseer positions are available across the state, in metropolitan and regional correctional centres.

Training – what is involved?

If you are offered a job as a Trainee Overseer, you must meet the training requirements relevant for this role. Your training begins with an 11 week full-time paid course at the Brush Farm Corrective Services Academy at Eastwood. The course is designed to equip you to function in the various fields of correctional duties and to meet the needs and demands of correctional centre management.

The Corrective Services Academy is recognised as an industry leader and one of the finest training institutions of its type. Some limited accommodation may be available at the Academy for those from outside the Sydney Metropolitan Area whilst in training.

The training is intensive and very demanding. It involves face-to-face program delivery, weapons training and survival training. Subjects covered will include:

Case Management and counselling, correctional centre procedures, managing inmates from minority or special needs groups, weapons use, social issues and human relations and understanding the law and its applications in correctional facilities.

As an overseer you must meet all training requirements in order to effectively manage inmates and maintain security. This involves the completion of Certificate III in Correctional Practice within your first year of employment on probation. The completion of this Certificate will equip you with the relevant knowledge and technical skills required for work in a custodial role.

Overseer applicants are required to:

• be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
  
• have vocational coaching and training skills
• have experience in supervising work in a production or service-related industry
• possess a current New South Wales driver licence (not a Learner's permit) for positions which identify the driving of a vehicle as an inherent job requirement
• be a person of good character
• undertake general ability and psychological suitability testing, and be competitive in that process in order to be progressed to interview
• undertake an interview and be competitive in that process in order to be considered for employment
• possess or have the willingness to obtain a current First Aid Certificate (issued by a WorkCover accredited provider) prior to commencing duty
• have proven experience to motivate, supervise and instruct unskilled and skilled workers
• be able to demonstrate how to achieve high levels of productivity whilst maintaining effective cost and quality control in a safe working environment
• have sound communication, inter-personal and organisational skills
• have demonstrated success in achieving quality standards in an industrial setting and proven skills in customer service and meeting operational targets, budgets and plans
• address and meet industry specific job requirements and include certified copies of trade/industry qualifications in your application
• meet the medical standards
• meet the probity standards, including a criminal record check; and have satisfactory referee and employment checks.