It is understood a preferred candidate has already been selected.

Creating the $200,000 position was a key recommendation of the Palmer report, tabled in Parliament on June 15, which exposed serious flaws in the state's prison system that would lead to ``serious riot and disorder''.

The position was advertised more than four months ago.

Meanwhile, Attorney-General Brian Wightman said this week he was planning to announce a new ombudsman for Tasmania soon.

Simon Allston retired on Tuesday after six years in the role, and arrangements are being made for Ombudsman Office director Richard Connock to act in the position until a replacement is found.

In the meantime, applications for a new department secretary closed a week ago.

Secretary Lisa Hutton plans to step down on March 30.

Tasmania's Corrective Services is also without a permanent director after Graeme Barber retired in November.

Greg Patridge has been acting in the position since.

Finally, the formal search for a new Integrity Commission chief executive is yet to begin.

Barbara Etter resigned from the position in October, only 15 months into a five-year contract.

She has since sued the government claiming she was forced to resign and that her authority had been undermined by the commission's board.

The government denies all allegations and has lodged a counterclaim with a directions hearing scheduled for Tuesday.