Kanton Zürich
Zürich
Deputy Head of Department & Specialist Head of Penal System 80 - 100%
- 03 July 2026
- 80 – 100%
- Zürich
Job summary
Join the Justizvollzug und Wiedereingliederung team in Zürich! This role offers a chance to impact social reintegration positively.
Tasks
- Support case managers in making relevant decisions for enforcement.
- Ensure quality and legal compliance of decisions in a four-eye principle.
- Act as a legal advisor for short sentences and alternative penalties.
Skills
- Law degree with significant experience in administration or courts required.
- Strong writing and editing skills in legal contexts are essential.
- Team-oriented with a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration.
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About the job
Deputy Head of Department & Specialist Head of Penal System 80 - 100%The Correctional Services and Reintegration (JuWe) is part of the Directorate of Justice and the Interior of the Canton of Zurich and is responsible for the execution of sentences and measures as well as the implementation of various types of detention. For our 1,400 employees from around 40 professions, the successful social reintegration of offenders and the prevention of recidivism are of particular importance.
The Probation and Enforcement Services (BVD) - one of the seven main departments of JuWe - are responsible for the execution of custodial sentences and court-ordered measures as well as probation assistance. They make an important contribution to crime prevention and the social integration of offenders.
The Penal System Department regulates, coordinates and plans the execution of custodial sentences in penal institutions. Furthermore, essential decisions regarding enforcement actions (placement, leave, conditional release, reversion, etc.) are made. In addition, applications for serving custodial sentences in special enforcement forms such as Electronic Monitoring and semi-imprisonment are examined and decided.
We are looking for an empathetic, integrative and communicative personality from 01.10.2026 or by arrangement
This is your field of activity
- You support the case managers in making enforcement-relevant decisions (e.g. examination of enforcement releases and conditional releases) and in drafting statements in appeal procedures
- In a four-eyes principle, you ensure the quality and legal conformity of decisions and ensure equal legal decision-making and practice development
- In the area of enforcement of short custodial sentences and substitute custodial sentences, you assist the head of department as a legal contact person for legal questions. You advise the department on legal issues, support complex procedures and appeal procedures, and contribute your legal expertise to the further development of the department
- You maintain contact with both internal and external partners as well as exchange with social workers, lawyers and experts in forensic psychiatry and psychology
- In the absence of the head of department, you take over the organisational and professional management of the department in close and coordinated cooperation with the second deputy. By participating in management meetings and contributing to the leadership body, you actively shape cross-departmental topics
What you bring with you
- Degree in law (licentiate or master) with several years of professional experience in administration and/or at a court. You have an interest in forensic issues and case management and are motivated to further educate yourself in these interdisciplinary fields
- You have experience in writing and editing orders and submissions in appeal procedures and precision in oral and written expression is a matter of course for you. Making and enforcing decisions is no problem for you
- Interdisciplinary collaboration is important to you. You consider issues from different perspectives, recognise connections and derive pragmatic and solution-oriented approaches. You communicate fluently, clearly and appropriately for the target audience
- You are digitally proficient and use new technologies with openness and curiosity
- You have an impeccable reputation
What is special about this position
- A multifaceted, interesting and demanding activity in an innovative and socially relevant interdisciplinary environment awaits you
- After a thorough introduction, you will join a committed team of 13 employees. You will take on a versatile role in which you can contribute your legal expertise across departments and actively shape the short custodial sentence enforcement with your specialist knowledge
- We value personnel development and support your further training intentions through internal and external offers
- Your workplace is located in the immediate vicinity of Zurich Altstetten station
- The employment conditions are based on cantonal guidelines
Your application
Take the next step in your professional career with us and send us your application via our online tool. We look forward to receiving your dossier!
Do you have any questions? Isabel Kramer, Head of Penal System, at 043 258 36 51, and Alexander Hasler, Deputy Head of Penal System, at 043 258 36 57 are happy to assist you. Questions about the application process will be answered by the Recruitment & Assessment team at 043 258 34 28.
JuWe uses an online assessment as part of the application process. Further information about our recruitment process and employment at JuWe can be found at Working at JuWe | Canton Zurich (zh.ch).
