Program Coach

Job Description

The Griffith Criminology Institute (GCI) is a large, diverse, and high-performing group of scholars focused on crime and justice issues. Through collaboration and innovation our research is helping find solutions to universal problems. GCI hosts the Transforming Corrections to Transform Lives Centre. The Centre’s vision is to support mothers and their children to have safe, dignified, and fulfilling lives, breaking down intergenerational cycles of disadvantage and incarceration, by transforming systems and generating new knowledge for evidence-based programs.

The Transforming Corrections to Transform Lives (TCTL) Centre is seeking to appoint a Program Coach (Identified) for the North Queensland area (Townsville based). TCTL acknowledges that in Australia, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are overrepresented in prison populations. The Program Coach will deliver a new model of care that provides mothers, including First Nations’ mothers and children, with support during their prison sentence and post-release. The Program aspires to ensure that mothers are provided with continuity of care until they have sufficient stability and are sufficiently empowered to continue meeting their needs, improving their own lives, and supporting the positive development of their children. The program is:

1. Multimodal in its approach (addressing not just parenting skills but also mental health needs, substance use problems, housing needs, etc);
2. Multisystemic, working across the multiple developmental systems that parents and children have contact with (e.g., prisons, family, schools, community, employment, multiple agencies, and service providers), and
3. Family focused, working with parents and their children during the custody period and for a substantial period after release.
4. Being rigorously evaluated by TCTL Centre researchers.

Key responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• •  
• Implementing the trial of the Transform Lives Program in Queensland women’s correctional centres and in the community, including the implementation of individual and ongoing case planning and support for mothers and their children
• Drawing on emerging best practice in working with families impacted by incarceration, families with complex needs, and First Nations families, to provide mothers and their children with continuity of support, during custody and for up to three years after the mother returns to the community.
• Preparing high quality initial and progressive assessment documents, identifying and responding appropriately to the needs of mothers and their children.
• Developing and maintaining strong and productive relationships with key stakeholders and service providers in the community to support the work of the Transform Lives Program.
• Supporting the collection of relevant research and evaluation data required to establish the effectiveness of the Transform Lives Program.

This is a full-time, fixed term position to 30 June 2027, with a potential for extension, based at the Griffith University offices in South Townsville. It is expected that the successful candidate will undertake regular travel within North Queensland, meeting with stakeholders, partners, Program Managers and mothers and their children in the Program. A vehicle (or expense provision) will be provided to support the successful candidate in carrying out their duties.

About You

You will be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person. You will have the ability to work effectively with First Nations women and children and to understand and respect First Nations ways of knowing, being and doing, and knowledge of the issues that may impact First Nations people in contemporary society and in a criminal justice context. You will have demonstrated experience working cross culturally with a solid understanding of cultural competency.

You will demonstrate a breadth and depth of professional skills and knowledge in the human services/social work/community service/youth work field with excellent knowledge of the issues affecting incarcerated women and their children.

The occupant of this position will hold a certificate and/or diploma in community services (or a related discipline), and/or have experience in providing case management support and interventions with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and/or communities.

You will also have:

Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and effectively with government and non-government agencies and with clients and their families through the use of well-developed communication, consultation and conflict resolution skills.

Knowledge of ethical and legal principles involved in working with mothers in prison or on community correctional orders and working with minors.

Knowledge of (or the ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of) social ecological, multisystemic and multi-agency case conceptualisation, intervention and support.

High-level interpersonal skills and good verbal and written communication skills as well as strong organisational skills. You will be self-motivated and able to demonstrate a high level of individual initiative, discretion, attention to detail and judgement. You will have demonstrated ability to work independently and with minimal supervision to meet competing deadlines and work effectively as a team member.

You must hold a valid driver’s licence for Queensland. Applicants must undertake and pass, on an annual basis, a Criminal History Check for the purposes of entering correctional centres. You must hold a valid blue card in Queensland or be eligible to obtain one upon appointment.

The TCTL Centre is committed to ensuring that program delivery and evaluation recognises, respects, and is inclusive of, Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing. This position is reserved exclusively for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicant.

Salary Range

The base salary for a Program Coach will be a Clinician Level 1 or 2.

Clinician 1 is in the range $102,748 - $112,231 per annum plus 17% employer superannuation. The total FTE package will be in the range $120,257 - $131,311 per annum.

Clinician 2 is in the range $119,481 - $128,718 per annum, plus 17% employer superannuation. The total FTE package will be in the range $139,792 - $150,600 per annum.

Qualifications

Additional Information

Why Griffith? 
As a values-led organisation, at Griffith University, we've worked hard to create a dynamic and strong organisational culture. We offer: 

• Wide range of Learning and Development opportunities 
• Salary packaging options and corporate health discounts 
• Generous leave entitlements including paid parental leave and leave loading 
• Support with future learning opportunities through our educational staff assistance scheme 

How to Apply 
At Griffith, we’re committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all - whoever you are and wherever you’re from. If you require any accommodations, we welcome you to let us know so we can work with you to participate fully in our recruitment experience. 

Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. For more information please visit our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page. Our University is committed to fostering a safe, respectful and inclusive community for all. In alignment with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence (2025), Griffith University includes a declaration as part of the recruitment journey to uphold the values and standards of our community. Griffith University also maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against all forms of modern slavery. For more information, please refer to Griffith’s Modern Slavery Policy.

Please submit your application online and ensure it includes the following: 

• A covering letter outlining your suitability for the role (please refer to the About you section above and the position description)
• Current curriculum vitae/resume including full contact details 

Applicants must have unrestricted work rights. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Successful candidates will be subject to a criminal history check.

For further information specifically about this role, please contact Professor Susan Dennison, TCTL Director at [email protected].

For further application and recruitment advice, please contact Theresa Burke, Talent Acquisition Partner on [email protected].

Closing date: Wednesday 2 September 2026 at 11:59pm AEST. All applications must be submitted online.

Please allow at least 1 – 2 weeks from the closing date to expect an application update.