Principal Inspection and Research Officer - Inspector of Custodial Services NSW

Location: Sydney CBD 

Employment Type: Ongoing full-time

Salary: $145,378 to $168,130 p.a. plus employer superannuation contribution and annual leave loading.

The Opportunity

Are you passionate about justice, oversight, and systemic reform? This is a rare opportunity to lead complex inspections and reviews of custodial centres across NSW. As Principal Inspection / Research Officer, you’ll play a key role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in the custodial system. Your work will directly inform reports to Parliament and influence positive change.

What you’ll do

As part of the Inspector of Custodial Services team, you will lead and manage complex inspections and thematic reviews of correctional and youth justice centres. You’ll work with a team of Inspection and Research Officers, ensuring the quality and integrity of reports and data analysis.

You will also:

• Provide high-level executive support and strategic advice to the Inspector of Custodial Services
• Oversee the collection and analysis of prisoner surveys
• Develop and implement policies and strategies to improve inspection quality and reporting
• Build professional relationships with stakeholders including Corrective Services NSW, Youth Justice NSW, and Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network.

You’ll work in a small, high-performing team committed to independence, professionalism, and evidence-based reporting, in a collaborative and purpose-driven environment.

What you’ll bring to the role

• Demonstrated experience leading complex inspections, reviews, or evaluations in a regulatory or oversight context
• Exceptional analytical and written communication skills, with the ability to critically assess and improve reports
• Strong leadership and stakeholder engagement capabilities
• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience, and the ability to travel within New South Wales

Download the Role Description

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now’ button.

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply - you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.

What We Offer

· A challenging and rewarding career

· Flexible, autonomous work environment

· Competitive pay and conditions

· Training and development opportunities

· Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters.

The Inspector of Custodial Services (ICS) is an independent statutory office in New South Wales that plays a vital role in promoting transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement within the custodial system.

Ready to join us?

Click Apply, attach a cover letter (max 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role, and an up-to-date resume (max 5 pages).

Appointments are subject to reference checks. Some roles may also require the following checks/ clearances:

• National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014
• Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012

Applications close 10th July 2025 at 11:59pm

Got a question?

Contact the hiring manager Fiona Rafter at fiona.rafter@justice.nsw.gov.au

If you’ve got a question about applying, or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process, please call Dean on (02) 9765 3526 or email the recruiter

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit.

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.