Custodial recruitment process

Recruitment campaigns for Casual Correctional Officers and Trade Overseers 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 these roles.

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

Where an on-line application is received as part of a recruitment campaign and we think you are a good match for one of our roles we'll invite you to undertake an assessment process, including psychological testing. Following this you'll also undergo a criminal record check, medical assessment and attend an interview. This process can take up 10 weeks, depending on operational requirements.

The Self Assessment Checklist may give you an indication of whether the you are suited to the role of a correctional officer.

For further information regarding the recruitment process see below.

Screening and testing

Cognitive ability testing

Round One Testing is an on line assessment which measures cognitive ability, work reliability, work safety, emotional intelligence, mathematics, grammar and spelling. This evaluation is prepared for Corrective Services NSW by a contracted provider.

Applicants, whose aptitude (general ability) and psychological assessment results are not competitive, will be advised that their application will not be progressed.

Candidate suitability testing

Based on performance in stage one testing, selected candidates will be invited to undertake further cognitive ability assessment and psychological testing to determine suitability for a position as a Casual Correctional Officer/Overseer.

These assessments provide an opportunity for applicants to describe themselves. The time allowed for assessments is approximately 4 hours. For an example of the assessment click here. 

Applicants, whose aptitude (general ability) and psychological assessment results are not competitive, will be advised by letter and their application will not be progressed.

Selection panel assessment

Applicants who are considered competitive in the preceding assessment process will be invited to an interview.

Applicants invited to interview will be informed at least 3 days prior to their day of interview.

The selection panel will consist of a minimum 2 people. The panel will ask you a series of questions.

Your responses to these questions will enable the panel to gain a better understanding of your knowledge, skills, qualifications, abilities and personal qualities. The panel is looking for a match between these attributes and the requirements of the position.

Applicants will be given the opportunity to ask any relevant questions at the end of the interview.

Medical and physical assessment

A health assessment assists CSNSW and applicants by ensuring no person is placed in an environment or given tasks that will result in physical or psychological harm.

Applicants for Casual Correctional Officer, and trade Overseer positions are required to attend a pre-employment medical assessment and as such must:

• be reasonably fit and healthy.
  
• possess good eyesight and hearing.
• have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or less.

The medical assessment will be undertaken by a service provider nominated by CSNSW and will include a physical agility test, spirometry, hearing and vision tests and a general fitness and medical history review.

Employment checks

Various employment checks are undertaken to ensure that legislative obligations and departmental requirements are met and that the information a successful applicant provides is accurate.

If you are recommended for a job, any job offer will be subject to satisfying these checks including a criminal record check. You may be asked to provide documents such as a birth certificate, evidence of citizenship/resident status.

The outcome

If you are selected for the job you will be telephoned with a job offer. The job offer will be confirmed in writing which you will be required to formally accept. Arrangements will then be made for a starting date.