Senior Inspection Officer

Office of the Queensland Ombudsman; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of the Queensland Ombudsman – Brisbane QLD is seeking Senior Inspection Officers to support the Inspector of Detention Services under the Inspector of Detention Services Act. The role promotes humane treatment of detainees and involves inspections of detention venues, reporting to Parliament.

You will plan, conduct fieldwork and investigations, review large document volumes, interview stakeholders, and draft high-quality analyses and Reports within tight timeframes to improve detention

Responsibilities

• Work independently and be a constructive and positive member of a small team.
• Undertake planning, fieldwork and reporting for inspections of places of detention and reviews of detention services.
• Conduct reviews of large volumes of departmental documents, analyse and develop lines of enquiry to support fieldwork.
• Work collaboratively with inspection team members to share findings and identify relevant observations to be conducted during fieldwork.
• Conduct interviews with community stakeholders and service providers.
• Use advanced written and oral communication skills to communicate effectively with adult and child detainees, and detention services staff.
• Produce a high standard of analysis, using documentary evidence review, onsite observations and interviews conducted.
• Produce quality documentation to support conclusions and recommendations that are consistent with upholding humane treatment and preventing harm to detainees.
• Assist in drafting reports of inspections and reviews for tabling in parliament under tight timeframes.
• Contribute to future reviews of inspection standards for places of detention, inspection methods and reviews of policies and procedures.
• Maintain knowledge about detention services, including monitoring and reviewing policy developments, legislation changes and review interstate and international reports.
• Work with detainees in ways that are responsive to cultural background or vulnerability.
• Lead and project manage reviews and/or inspections of smaller places of detention, taking responsibility for planning, fieldwork and preparation of reports for tabling in parliament under tight timeframes.
• Work collaboratively with other team members, participating in meetings and training programs, and to improveme policy, procedure, process and administrative practice across the Office and stakeholder agencies.
• Work in accordance with the Office's Code of Conduct and values
• Take reasonable care for your own and others' health and safety
• Meet personal performance expectations and standards.
• Undertake other duties as directed by relevant senior officers.
• To visit youth detention centres, prisons and watch-houses. You may be subject to security procedures on entry.
• Vision: Prioritises projects and tasks efficiently, adapts to changing requirements.
• Results: Communicates clearly, adjusts messages for stakeholders.
• Accountability: Understands policy frameworks; analyses information to mitigate risks.
• Technical expertise: Written communication, research and analytical skills, including preparing complex reports.

Job description

Office of the Queensland Ombudsman - Brisbane QLD

Senior Inspection Officers support the Queensland Ombudsman and Inspector of Detention Services carry out functions under the Inspector of Detention Services Act to promote the improvement of detention services and places of detention. The work is focused on promoting and upholding the humane treatment of detainees, including humane conditions of their detention, and preventing detainees from being subject to harm, including torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Senior Inspection Officers work as part of a team conducting inspections of places of detention (including youth detention centres, prisons, and watch-houses), reviews of detention services, and reporting to the Queensland Parliament. Senior Inspection Officers may come from a variety of professional backgrounds and are required to have or be eligible for a Blue Card.

In this role you will:

• Work independently and be a constructive and positive member of a small team.
• Undertake planning, fieldwork and reporting for inspections of places of detention and reviews of detention services.
• Conduct reviews of large volumes of departmental documents, analyse and develop lines of enquiry to support fieldwork.
• Work collaboratively with inspection team members to share findings and identify relevant observations to be conducted during fieldwork.
• Conduct interviews with community stakeholders and service providers.
• Use advanced written and oral communication skills to communicate effectively with adult and child detainees, and detention services staff.
• Produce a high standard of analysis, using documentary evidence review, onsite observations and interviews conducted.
• Produce quality documentation to support conclusions and recommendations that are consistent with upholding humane treatment and preventing harm to detainees.
• Assist in drafting reports of inspections and reviews for tabling in parliament under tight timeframes.
• Contribute to future reviews of inspection standards for places of detention, inspection methods and reviews of policies and procedures.
• Maintain knowledge about detention services, including monitoring and reviewing policy developments, legislation changes and review interstate and international reports.
• Work with detainees in ways that are responsive to cultural background or vulnerability.

You may also be required to:

• Lead and project manage reviews and/or inspections of smaller places of detention, taking responsibility for planning, fieldwork and preparation of reports for tabling in parliament under tight timeframes.

You will be expected to:

• Work collaboratively with other team members, participating in meetings and training programs, and to improveme policy, procedure, process and administrative practice across the Office and stakeholder agencies.
• Work in accordance with the Office's Code of Conduct and values
• Take reasonable care for your own and others' health and safety
• Meet personal performance expectations and standards.
• Undertake other duties as directed by relevant senior officers.
• To visit youth detention centres, prisons and watch-houses. You may be subject to security procedures on entry.

The ideal applicant will be someone who:

• Vision: Prioritises projects and tasks efficiently, in line with team commitments. Demonstrates flexibility to changing expectations by proactively adapting own approach to reflect new requirements. Gains insight into issues by analysing the available information in a critical manner. Demonstrates judgement about when to upscale issues.
• Results: Communicates in a clear, succinct and deliberate manner, adjusting the message so that it resonates with different stakeholders. Welcomes challenges in the delivery of work and demonstrates persistence in working through obstacles. Demonstrates careful planning and organisation to achieve results.
• Accountability: Understands and works with legislative and policy frameworks. Analyses information, identify risks and evaluates possible solutions to mitigate risks. Evaluates possible solutions and takes appropriate steps to mitigate risks. Demonstrates a commitment to improving performance through feedback and learning.
• Technical expertise: Written communication, research and analytical skills, including preparing complex reports. Knowledge and experience of public administration and detention services. Ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders, including First Nations people and other relevant stakeholder groups.