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Operations Manager - Victorian Fixated Threat Assessment Centre - Job Opportunity at Forensicare

Melbourne, Australia

Full-time

Senior

Posted: July 1, 2025

On-site

AUD 123,011 - 148,319 per year

Benefits

Comprehensive employee assistance program providing external confidential counseling and wellbeing support for personal and work-related matters, exceeding standard market offerings

Flexible salary packaging options including mortgage, rent, car expenses and general living costs, providing significant tax advantages and increased take-home pay

Specialized mental health and wellbeing program with psychological support, peer assistance, and critical incident response - particularly valuable given the high-stress nature of forensic mental health work

Structured career development pathways across multiple directorates with multi-disciplinary team integration, offering clear advancement opportunities

Enhanced workplace safety framework with strategic and individualized risk management support, crucial for forensic mental health environments

Performance recognition and reward systems that acknowledge contributions in challenging work environments

Comprehensive professional supervision and skill development investment, supporting continuous learning in specialized forensic mental health practice

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic development and maintenance of forensic mental health policies, procedures and guidelines for VFTAC, directly impacting public safety outcomes and organizational effectiveness

Provide executive-level advisory services to high-profile stakeholders including public office holders, mental health agencies, and law enforcement, influencing critical decision-making processes

Manage complex multi-agency stakeholder relationships with Department of Health and Specialist Service Enhancement Teams, ensuring coordinated service delivery and optimal consumer outcomes

Design and deliver specialized training programs for mental health services, police and referral agencies, building system-wide capacity in threat assessment and forensic mental health

Oversee operational delivery of forensic mental health services through leadership of specialized multi-disciplinary clinical teams, ensuring service quality and efficiency

Drive accurate reporting of key performance indicators and program evaluation, supporting evidence-based service improvement and organizational accountability

Lead complex case management involving collaboration between law enforcement and mental health agencies on sensitive matters affecting public safety

Requirements

Education

Masters or Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from APS accredited course, Doctorate in Forensic Psychology, relevant tertiary qualification for Social Workers/Occupational Therapists, or Post Graduate Diploma Mental Health Nursing

Experience

At least ten years of experience in providing clinical services in forensic mental health

Required Skills

Demonstrated ability to lead a multi-disciplinary team and manage a complex program effectively and efficiently Experience in and understanding of best practice methods in the specific field of threat assessment Ability to independently deliver associated clinical and risk-oriented services and supervision Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with law enforcement and mental health agencies on complex or sensitive cases Extensive knowledge of relevant legislation, the mental health system, and the criminal justice system Expertise in clinical/forensic program development and evaluation Proven administrative, negotiation and interpersonal skills Demonstrated experience conducting empirical research and engaging in other scholarly work Excellent written and verbal communication skills Ability to liaise and communicate effectively with stakeholders including external bodies, agencies and government authorities Ability to design, plan and deliver training and education with awareness of service and organisational needs

Certifications

Australian Citizenship required Registration with Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for applicable disciplines Membership eligibility to AASW for Social Workers Police Check clearance Influenza and Immunisation Evidence

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The forensic mental health sector is experiencing significant growth driven by increased recognition of the intersection between mental health and criminal justice systems. Government investments in specialized threat assessment capabilities reflect growing awareness of lone actor threats and the need for sophisticated multi-disciplinary approaches to public safety. This trend is accelerated by high-profile incidents globally and the recognition that traditional law enforcement approaches alone are insufficient for managing individuals with complex mental health needs who pose security risks. There is an increasing emphasis on preventive intervention models in threat assessment, moving away from purely reactive approaches. This shift requires professionals who can bridge clinical mental health practice with security and law enforcement perspectives, creating demand for specialized roles that combine therapeutic intervention with risk assessment capabilities. The integration of mental health services within law enforcement environments represents a growing trend toward co-location and embedded clinical support models. This approach recognizes that effective threat assessment requires real-time clinical input and ongoing case management rather than episodic consultation, driving demand for senior clinicians comfortable working in law enforcement settings.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range of AUD 123,011 - 148,319 is highly competitive for the Australian market, reflecting the specialized nature of forensic mental health combined with the security-sensitive environment. This range positions in the top quartile for mental health management roles and acknowledges the unique requirements including Australian citizenship, security clearances, and the intersection of clinical and public safety responsibilities. The salary appropriately reflects the 10+ years experience requirement and the executive-level stakeholder engagement responsibilities.

Role Significance

The role involves leading a multi-disciplinary clinical team typically comprising 8-15 professionals including psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, and occupational therapists. Additionally, the position requires coordination with broader VFTAC teams including law enforcement personnel, administrative staff, and external partner organizations, suggesting indirect influence over 20-30 professionals across the collaborative network.

This is a senior executive-level position with significant organizational and public safety impact. The role holder operates as a strategic leader responsible for program development, stakeholder management at the highest levels including government officials, and oversight of complex multi-disciplinary teams. The requirement to provide high-level advice to public office holders and manage key relationships with Department of Health positions this role as having substantial influence on policy and service delivery across the mental health and criminal justice interface.

Key Projects

Development and implementation of threat assessment protocols integrating mental health clinical practice with law enforcement intelligence gathering and risk management frameworks Design and delivery of inter-agency training programs that build capacity across mental health services, police, and other referral agencies in recognizing and managing fixated individuals and grievance-fueled lone actors Establishment of evaluation frameworks for measuring the effectiveness of preventive intervention strategies in reducing both recidivism and escalation of threatening behaviors Creation of policy frameworks that balance public safety requirements with therapeutic intervention principles, ensuring compliance with mental health legislation while supporting law enforcement objectives

Success Factors

Exceptional ability to navigate complex political and organizational environments while maintaining clinical integrity and therapeutic relationships. Success requires balancing the often competing demands of public safety imperatives with patient-centered care principles, requiring sophisticated judgment and diplomatic skills in high-stakes situations. Deep expertise in both clinical mental health practice and threat assessment methodologies, with the ability to translate complex clinical concepts into actionable intelligence for law enforcement colleagues. This includes staying current with evolving research in radicalization, fixation, and lone actor threat assessment while maintaining clinical competencies. Strong leadership capabilities in managing multi-disciplinary teams operating under significant pressure and scrutiny. The role requires creating a supportive clinical environment within a law enforcement setting, managing competing professional cultures, and ensuring high performance standards across diverse professional backgrounds. Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to build trust and credibility with senior government officials, law enforcement leadership, and clinical colleagues simultaneously. Success depends on establishing the role as a trusted advisor across multiple domains while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality requirements.

Market Demand

High demand exists for professionals with this specific combination of forensic mental health expertise and threat assessment capabilities. The niche nature of this field, combined with strict eligibility requirements including citizenship and security clearances, creates a limited talent pool. Government investments in public safety infrastructure and growing recognition of mental health factors in security threats are driving sustained demand for these specialized roles across Australia and internationally.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Threat assessment expertise is absolutely essential as this represents the core technical competency distinguishing this role from general forensic mental health positions. The ability to conduct comprehensive risk assessments for individuals who may pose threats to public figures or engage in lone actor violence requires specialized training and experience that cannot be developed quickly. This skill set is rare and highly valued given increasing global focus on preventing targeted violence. Multi-disciplinary team leadership capabilities are critical given the complex professional dynamics involved in managing clinical staff within a law enforcement environment. Success requires the ability to maintain clinical standards and therapeutic relationships while supporting security objectives, managing competing professional cultures, and ensuring effective communication across disciplines with different training backgrounds and professional priorities. High-level stakeholder management skills are essential given the role's requirement to provide advice to public office holders and manage relationships with senior government officials. The ability to communicate complex clinical concepts to non-clinical decision-makers while maintaining credibility with both clinical colleagues and law enforcement personnel requires exceptional interpersonal skills and political acumen that are developed over many years of senior-level experience.

Beneficial Skills

Research and evaluation capabilities would significantly enhance effectiveness in this role, particularly given the emerging nature of threat assessment science and the need to contribute to evidence-based practice development. The ability to design and conduct program evaluations, publish findings, and contribute to professional literature would position the role holder as a thought leader in this developing field. International experience or knowledge of threat assessment models used in other jurisdictions would be valuable given the global nature of security threats and the opportunity to learn from international best practices. Understanding of different legal frameworks, clinical approaches, and organizational models could inform program development and enhance Victoria's capabilities. Training and education expertise beyond the basic requirements would be beneficial given the role's responsibility for building capacity across multiple agencies. Advanced skills in curriculum development, adult learning principles, and inter-agency training delivery would enhance the effectiveness of capacity-building efforts and potentially create additional career opportunities in professional education.

Unique Aspects

This role represents one of the few positions globally that combines senior clinical mental health leadership with direct integration into law enforcement threat assessment operations, offering unique professional development opportunities at the intersection of clinical practice and national security

The fixed-term nature (10 months) may reflect program evaluation periods or funding cycles, potentially leading to permanent establishment based on program success, making this an opportunity to shape a developing field

Co-location with Victoria Police at the Victoria Police Centre creates an unusual professional environment where clinical staff work alongside law enforcement personnel, requiring cultural adaptability and the ability to maintain clinical independence within a security-focused setting

The role involves direct access to high-level government decision-makers and the opportunity to influence policy development at state and potentially national levels, offering significant professional impact beyond typical clinical management positions

Career Growth

Career progression to director-level roles typically occurs within 3-5 years given the specialized expertise and demonstrated leadership capabilities required for this position. Transition to senior government policy roles may occur within 2-4 years, while academic leadership positions often require additional research output and may take 5-7 years to achieve.

Potential Next Roles

Director of Forensic Mental Health Services overseeing multiple specialized programs across the state, with responsibility for strategic planning, budget management, and policy development at the state level Senior Policy Advisor or Assistant Secretary roles within state or federal health departments, focusing on the intersection of mental health, criminal justice, and public safety policy development Chief Clinical Officer positions within large forensic mental health organizations or correctional health services, providing clinical leadership across institutional and community-based programs Academic leadership roles such as Professor of Forensic Mental Health or Director of Forensic Psychology programs, combining clinical expertise with research leadership and training of the next generation of forensic mental health professionals

Company Overview

Forensicare

Forensicare operates as Victoria's statutory agency responsible for adult forensic mental health services, providing specialized care across community, hospital, and correctional settings. The organization serves individuals with complex mental health needs who have been involved with the criminal justice system, operating at the critical intersection of mental health care and public safety. Forensicare manages some of Australia's most challenging cases, requiring sophisticated clinical expertise combined with robust risk management capabilities.

Forensicare holds a unique position as the primary provider of forensic mental health services in Victoria, operating as a statutory authority with specialized expertise that is recognized nationally and internationally. The organization is considered a leader in forensic mental health innovation, particularly in community-based treatment models and threat assessment capabilities. Its partnership with Victoria Police in the VFTAC represents a cutting-edge approach to managing complex security and mental health challenges.

As Victoria's designated forensic mental health provider, Forensicare operates across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, with significant influence on service delivery models adopted in other Australian states. The organization's work in threat assessment and prevention has national significance, with other jurisdictions looking to Victoria's model for guidance in developing their own capabilities. The VFTAC partnership positions Forensicare at the forefront of Australian efforts to address lone actor threats and fixated individuals.

The organization fosters a culture that balances clinical excellence with public safety responsibilities, emphasizing evidence-based practice, continuous learning, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Working environments are characterized by high professional standards, significant autonomy for senior clinicians, and strong support systems recognizing the challenging nature of forensic mental health work. The culture emphasizes innovation, research engagement, and commitment to reducing stigma associated with mental illness and offending behaviors.

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Operations Manager - Victorian Fixated Threat Assessment Centre - Job Opportunity at Forensicare

Benefits

Key Responsibilities

Requirements

Education

Experience

Required Skills

Certifications

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Salary Evaluation

Role Significance

Key Projects

Success Factors

Market Demand

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Beneficial Skills

Unique Aspects

Career Growth

Potential Next Roles

Company Overview

Forensicare

Data Sources & Analysis Information

Job Listings Data

Sauge AI Market Intelligence