Based in the metropolitan area at the Hakea Prison Complex in Canning Vale, the SOG is the major provider of emergency support to all prisons within the State and Banksia Hill Detention Centre.
Services include:
- responding to major incidents
- security/auditing evaluation
- high security escorts
- searching
- perimeter security
- control room operations
- operational and emergency management training.
If you have been previously employed as a Special Operations Group (Prison Officer) with Department of Justice, Western Australia within the last two years and have completed your probation, complete the custodial staff re-engagement online form.
Do you have what it takes to join the Special Operations Group (SOG)?
Based in Perth, SOG delivers emergency response and security support to correctional facilities across WA.
We’re looking for people who are physically capable, mentally tough, agile and disciplined. Watch four candidates undergo some of the mental and physical testing – and see if they make it! Apply now!.
The role
Show moreThe SOG operates 24 hours a day in order to provide a state-wide response to emergency situations as required. A typical day will include operational duties such as high security escorts, search operations, security systems testing and high visibility patrols of prisons. With a commitment to ongoing learning and development, SOG Officers participate in various training programs to maintain and upgrade their work skills.
On occasion, operational duties or emergency responses will require intrastate, interstate and international air travel. Time is also allocated for strength and fitness training, to ensure our SOG Officers can provide the highest standard of response.
What it takes
Show moreSOG Officers exemplify behaviours which demonstrate respect, integrity, good judgement, self-discipline and initiative.
SOG Officers are able to work effectively as team members, respond to directions and instructions, while building positive working relationships. Being able to operate within a structured environment with limited supervision, they are able to demonstrate sound reasoning and analytical skills to resolve problems, make decisions, and carry out tasks to completion.
Working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, SOG Officers are able to recognise, respect and work with gender, social and cultural differences, including with Aboriginal people.
Physical health and fitness
Show moreSOG Officers naturally prioritise their personal health and fitness, understanding that sound body and mind are critical to providing an effective and safe emergency response service. Some scenarios can involve lengthy periods of strenuous activity (eg cell extraction, non-compliant prisoner restraint, riot control). Officers may also be required to run, walk, bend, lift and carry objects whilst dressed in restrictive clothing, such as personal protective equipment and Breathing Apparatus.
The most suitable candidates for the SOG Officer therefore view physical fitness as a lifestyle choice and partake in regular exercise and physical training, and regularly participate in team or individual sports, fitness activities, outdoors pursuits and/or arduous work.
The benefits
Show moreDuring the initial training program, we will pay you a training salary of $66,658 per annum. Upon successful completion of the training course, the salary increases to $86,156 per annum, with increments up to $98,107 per annum plus superannuation.
Additional allowances specific to SOG Officers, up to $6,520 per annum, also apply.
Flexible working conditions / Shift work
SOG Officers work in a 24/7 environment. Shift arrangements could entail 8 and/or 12hr shifts, including days, nights, weekends and public holidays. Rosters are prepared and posted several weeks in advance. There is also a requirements for occasional intrastate, interstate and international travel by airplane.
Generous leave entitlements
- 6 weeks of annual leave for SOG Officers working shifts
- Personal leave
- Parental leave (paid and unpaid)
- Purchased leave (ability to purchase additional annual leave on a pro-rata basis)
- Long service leave upon completion of 7 years continuous service
Other benefits
- Uniform supplied (including boots, socks, jackets and hats)
- Job security
- Promotional and career development opportunities
- A rewarding and challenging career.
Eligibility
Show moreTo be eligible for employment as a SOG Officer, you must:
- Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or have permanent residency status within Australia.
- Possess a current C-Class driver's licence.
- Possess a “Provide First Aid” qualification, which at the time of appointment must have 9 months validity remaining.
- Obtain clearance through the Department’s criminal history and integrity screening assessment process.
Recruitment and selection process
Show moreThe SOG selection process is typically conducted over a series of stages and includes a number of assessments tailored to assess your skills, knowledge, experience and abilities in the context of the SOG Officer role. These may include:
- Written application
- Psychometric testing
- Various physical fitness tests and exercises
- Interview
- Medical and psychological assessments
- Reference checks, criminal history and integrity screening
Training
Show moreIf you are successful and selected to fill a vacancy, you will initially commence your training and employment as a Probationary SOG Officer for a period of 9 months. Starting at the Department’s Corrective Services Academy, you will complete an 12-week Prison Officer Entry Level Training Program (ELTP), which will be followed by a 4-week Specialist Selection course with the SOG, covering topics and skills such as riot control, firearms, perimeter response, high security escorts, TASER, cell extractions, roof operations and chemical agents.
During your probation you will be required to demonstrate various competencies through the completion of exercises, tasks and assessments, which will culminate in being awarded a CSC30122 Certificate III in Correctional Practice (Custodial). A portion of your probationary period will also be spent working and learning at one of the Department’s prisons.
