School Psychologist

About the Role

Want to Kick Start your psychology career?

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Full time employment.

Have you considered a career as a School Psychologist? If so, apply for the KickStart School Psychology Program today.

This exciting new graduate program offers psychology graduates access to a tailored comprehensive training and supervision program to become registered psychologists and join the School Counselling Service with the NSW Department of Education.

As a KickStart participant you will work collaboratively with a team of dedicated professionals to make a positive impact on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in NSW Public Schools.

If you are a psychology graduate who has successfully completed a 4-year psychology degree and have started your 4+2 registration pathway or the internship year of your 5+1 psychology registration pathway, then this opportunity is for you.

Working with Australia's largest provider of public education and one of the largest employers of psychologists in NSW, the NSW Department of Education will provide opportunities for you to engage with diverse school and student communities like no other child/adolescent psychologist role can. This is a chance to develop and use your skills to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people when it matters most.

What we offer you

As a participant of the KickStart program you receive:

• temporary employment as a provisionally registered School Psychologist
• professional support and supervision to complete your provisional psychology registration program with the Psychology Board of Australia
• a comprehensive on-site tailored training program to equip you with the necessary skills to work full-time within the NSW Public School Counselling Service
• upon successful completion of the Program and competency assessment, you will then be eligible to apply for ongoing School Psychologist roles within the NSW Department of Education.

What we are looking for

Successful KickStart participants will be:

• passionate and driven professionals who are committed to making a difference, supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people
• psychology graduates who have successfully completed a 4-year psychology degree and started their 4+2 registration, or the internship year of the 5+1 psychology registration pathway
• flexible, resilient and enjoy working as part of a team
• open and willing to learn, with an ability to be reflective and committed to continuous development

Locations

Opportunities are available in a range of locations state-wide. Applicants must nominate at least three areas in which they are willing to work.

Priority will be given to applicants who nominate the following staffing areas: Queanbeyan, Deniliquin, Griffith, Armidale, Lismore, Orange, Taree, Bourke

Locations are:

Albury, Armidale, Bankstown, Batemans Bay, Bathurst, Blacktown, Bondi, Bourke, Broken Hill, Campbelltown, Central Coast, Clarence/Coffs Harbour, Deniliquin, Dubbo, Fairfield, Granville, Griffith, Hornsby, Lake Macquarie, Lismore, Liverpool, Maitland, Moree, Mount Druitt, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Northern Beaches, Orange, Parramatta, Penrith, Port Jackson, Port Macquarie, Queanbeyan, Ryde, Shellharbour, St George, Sutherland, Tamworth, Taree, Tweed Heads/Ballina, Wagga Wagga, Windsor, Wollongong

Successful applicants will be placed in a base school within their selected area and may also work in other schools within that area, or neighbouring areas. To view a list of the staffing areas please Click here

The Department of Education is the largest provider of public education in Australia with responsibility for delivering high-quality public education to two-thirds of the NSW student population. We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees, and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team ) or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion.

Total Remuneration Package

Package valued up to $182,461 + incentives (where applicable). Base salary ranges from $101,122 - $160,983* plus leave loading and employer's contribution to superannuation. Base salary rates above the minimum are available dependent on professional experience.

• Note there is no automatic progression to the $160,983 SPAC salary level. Access to SPAC is available once a school psychologist has progressed through all salary steps and upon successful application for Advanced Certification level against the NSW School Counselling Service Professional Practice Framework.

Please note: A School Psychologist with Provisional Registration with the Psychology Board will commence on SP1 ($101,122)

Additional Information

• Key Accountabilities
• Provides counselling and psychological services to students, individually and in groups, including appropriate short term therapeutic interventions undertaken within the constraints of their training, experience and supervision
• Engages with and implements the procedures of the Professional Practice Framework for the NSW School Counselling Service
• Works in consultation with the principal, school executive, staff and student support services to improve student learning and wellbeing outcomes and implement current departmental priorities
• Contributes to the social, emotional, and academic development of students, and supports schools and students with complex behavioural needs
• Administers cognitive, social, emotional and behavioural assessment of students, reports on the results of assessments and interventions and collaborates to improve learning, wellbeing and mental health outcomes
• Works collaboratively with learning and support teams, parents and carers, and other agencies, to develop appropriate school based support for students
• Responds as part of a team to assist schools experiencing serious incidents
• Refers students and/or their families and carers to other agencies that will support the development of student health and wellbeing outcome

Essential Requirements

1. Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department's Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department's Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people

2. General or Provisional Psychology Registration with active internship with the Psychology Board of Australia

3. Valid and current Working with Children Check clearance

4. Current and valid driver's licence and ability and willingness to travel between work sites

5. Australian citizenship or permanent residency

How to Apply

If you are interested in this role, please apply online and include:

• A cover letter (maximum of 2 pages) that addresses the key accountabilities and challenges of this role as outlined in the Role Description
• Your resumé (maximum of 4 pages) which clearly details how your capabilities, knowledge and experience can contribute to support students' wellbeing
• Names and contact details of two recent professional referees. Referees are to be professional referees from the last 3 years, who have known you for a minimum period of 6 months in a professional cont ext. At least one referee is to be a current or recent line manager within the last 2 years
• Expected start date: 27 January 2025

Documents

Role Description

Aboriginal Education Policy

As this is a child-related position, you will also be required to obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number as a condition of employment (if you do not already have this). For more information, please visit the Office of the Children's Guardian.

In addition, your employment may be subject to the Department's National Criminal Records Check to determine your suitability for employment.

Note: The selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Applications must be lodged electronically. No paper-based application will be accepted.

Targeted Question 1

Provide details of relevant experience that you believe demonstrates your suitability to work as part of the NSW School Counselling Service as a school psychologist, (half an A4 page)

Targeted Question 2

School psychologists must work collaboratively with teachers, support staff and other professionals as well as with parents/carers and families. Describe a time during your training (e.g., practicum, internship, or previous work experience) when you worked with others to support a client. How did you build rapport and collaborate meaningfully with others? (half an A4 page)

Targeted Question 3

As a beginning school psychologist, how do you plan to continue learning and growing in your capabilities? Provide examples of strategies you have used in the past to deliberately grow your knowledge and skills as an early career psychologist, (half an A4 page)