Job Type: Ongoing - full time Category: Location: Geelong - Barwon area Date Advertised: 28-MAY-25 Job Reference: VG/1862968 Job Title: Operations Manager Business Unit: Division: Summary: At the Department of Justice and Community Safety, we’re looking for people who want to make a difference. People who take pride in their work. People who get things done. People who are committed to making Victoria a safer place. We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We’re all about recruiting the best people, regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or cultural background. If you think you can do the job and would be a good fit for our department, we’d love to hear from you. The department is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and recognises that children’s rights need to be respected, their views welcomed and valued, and their concerns taken seriously and acted upon. If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad. For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit justice.vic.gov.au/careers We’re proud of the important work we do across Victoria. Want to be part of it? Join Victoria's brand-new correctional facility in an Operations Manager (COG4) role Contribute to the ongoing strategic planning, implementation, and improvement of prison operations. Ongoing, full-time opportunity to work with a high-performing and passionate team in the Victorian Public Service COG 4 Salary: $107,737 - $131,457 plus superannuation. The Department of Justice and Community Safety is seeking an Operations Manager to provide a critical role at Western Plains Correctional Centre. About the Business Unit Western Plains Correctional Centre (Western Plains) is Victoria's newest maximum-security correctional facility, designed to house up to 1,248 people in custody. Western Plains is a multi-purpose facility that adapts to the evolving needs of Corrections Victoria. It features purpose-built modern amenities including medical wards, a cultural centre and vocational training facilities. It utilises cutting-edge technology to keep the facility secure, allowing staff to focus on supporting the rehabilitation of people in custody. Western Plains will open mid-2025 and Corrections Victoria are now recruiting key roles to help shape the future operations of the facility. The Operations Manager has responsibility for overseeing all aspects of day-to-day management of the prison whilst ensuring that all policies and procedures are followed. The Operations Manager will also be responsible for managing a team of custodial and non-custodial officers delivering a range of correctional services for which the incumbent will require superior leadership skills. The role also involves the coordination of information and services to the various areas within the prison, and the ability to develop and implement new policies and procedures. The Operations Manager will also be required to identify and address issues concerning the prison, prisoners, and staff. Some of your duties will include: Implement the development and delivery of services in new ways, using technology and innovation to shape the way the facility functions. Recruit and provide leadership and guidance to a new team, developing and maintaining a culture that supports rehabilitation and reflects the department's values and behaviours. Use operational knowledge to provide high level analysis and recommendations on emerging operational issues and trends. To learn more about this role before applying, please read the attached position description. To be successful in this role, you will have: Demonstrated commitment to working with staff, prisoners, and other service providers in the delivery of an integrated, whole of prison program approach to reducing re-offending. Experience at a senior level, including successfully managing teams, demonstrating leadership in collaborative environments, and working across teams and organisations to achieve outcomes. Knowledge of current legislative requirements pertaining to a correctional environment. Computer literate with a working knowledge of the full range of Microsoft Windows and MS Office application suite software.  An understanding of contemporary prisoner management and offender services practices.   A relevant qualification in social work, related human services discipline, criminal justice, criminology or with work experience in a related field is highly desirable.  A full and current Victorian driver's licence or a minimum P2 driver's licence.  The Operations Manager position is uniformed, and it is a requirement of the role to work daytime rosters and participate in Office in Charge Duty and on-call arrangements. Rosters will attract shift allowances in accordance with the provisions of the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024. Applicants seeking part-time or flexible employment will be considered. There is a total smoking ban for all Victorian prisons; staff and prisoners cannot smoke or have tobacco-related products or e-cigarettes in any area of the prisons. Facial Hair Policy: All custodial officers will be required (subject to a small number of exemptions) to be clean shaven for the purposes of wearing, if required in an emergency, the donning of a breathing apparatus.  Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats. The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include national police checks and misconduct screening. If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT: The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.