Advertised Vacancy Number: DOE612397
Please note the closing date for this advert has been extended as shown below.
This is a permanent, part-time (0.5FTE) position commencing January 2020.
The Department of Education is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic leader to the position of Lead School Psychologist in the Kimberley Education Region.
Key points about this leadership position:
- This 0.5 FTE permanent position will commence in Term 1, 2020.
- A guaranteed 0.5 FTE school psychologist FTE is available to bring the work fraction to full-time, with regional project work to be negotiated.
- The location is the picturesque town of Kununurra.
- Eligible for subsidised housing (GROH) and relocation expenses.
- The possibility of an attractive and retention incentive of up to $13,730 p.a. (pro rata for part-time)
- Some travel within and external to the region will be required, including overnight stays.
- Advanced Skills School Psychologist (ASSP) status is required for permanent appointment to a lead school psychologist position. Candidates with and without ASSP status are encouraged to apply to this positions – if there is no suitable candidate with ASSP status identified, a candidate without ASSP status will be appointed for a 12 month fixed-term period only. If a candidate without ASSP status is appointed for the initial 12 month fixed term appointment, the possibility of permanency can only be utilised if ASSP status is gained during this 12-month appointment.
As a lead school psychologist, you will provide professional leadership and support to a small team of dedicated and dynamic school psychologists in the region. The team comprises school psychology graduates through to experienced officers.
You will be directly accountable to the Regional Executive Director and professionally accountable to the Chief Psychologist, School Psychology Service, with your practice guided and directed by Department policies and guidelines and the Psychology Board of Australia’s (Board) professional standards. The successful applicant will ensure effective deployment of school psychologists and provide direct advice to the Regional Executive Director, principals and the system in the assessment and response to complex issues and situations, including emergency and critical incident management. You will work collaboratively with another Lead School Psychologist, based in Broome.
The Lead School Psychologist provides leadership and access to professional support and learning for all school psychologists, including ensuring professional supervision for provisionally registered psychologists to achieve standards outlined in the Competency Framework for School Psychologists. The position assures the quality of all school psychologists’ practice meets the professional standards of the Department and the Board and also leads in the provision of contemporary psychological practices. Broad experience and capacity to provide leadership across all core areas of the service (mental health, learning, behaviour and disability) and the ability to provide Board-approved supervision will be advantageous.
The Kimberley Education Region is one of eight regions within the Western Australian Department of Education, and includes schools from as far northeast as Kununurra, Wyndham and Kalumburu to Broome and Bidyadanga (La Grange) in the southeast. Over 5000 students attend public schools in the region, dotted across hundreds of thousands of square kilometres.
Where is Kununurra?
Kununurra is located approximately 3200 kilometres north east of Perth and just over 1000 kilometres from Broome. It is accessible by either the Great Northern Highway or the North West Coastal Highway. Kununurra is a close 30km distance to the Northern Territory border, with Darwin only a short flight away. Broome is also easily accessible via a short plane ride and Wyndham is its closest neighbouring town approximately 100km away.
What services are available in Kununurra?
Residents of Kununurra have access to government and private services, including:
- Retail outlets including supermarkets, specialty stores and newsagencies.
- Police station.
- Medical services, including a well-equipped hospital and specialist services, such as physiotherapy and maternity facilities.
- All four major banks.
- Schools.
- Swimming pool.
- Leisure centre complex.
- Sporting facilities.
- Post Office.
- Hotels and accommodation.
- Restaurants.
What is it like to live in Kununurra?
Kununurra was established in 1960, so it is a fairly modern town in relation to its neighbours. The lifestyle in Kununurra can generally be described as ‘laid back’. Fishing, camping and hiking are all very popular with some people moving to the Kimberley just to chase the barramundi. Kununurra is said to have some of the best fishing in Australia!
Kununurra has a tropical monsoonal climate with two seasons – wet or dry! Generally, the wet season runs from October to April, however January and February are the wettest months and offer spectacular sights of raging waterfalls and roaring rivers. The maximum temperatures during the wet season often reach over 40 degrees and humidity is high. The rest of the year it is much drier and temperatures are slightly cooler, generally in the low to mid 30s. The skies are blue and the sunsets are spectacular.
The Mirima (Hidden Valley) National Park provides stunning views across the East Kimberley region and some fantastic bushwalking trails. There is a variety of wildlife within the national park including numerous bird species, marsupials and reptiles. Make sure you have your camera ready!
Residents are spoilt for choice with a variety of activities fun for the whole family including movie cinemas, sports and leisure clubs, and community organisations.
This selection process will initially be used to fill the above vacancy. Applicants assessed as suitable during this selection process may be considered for other similar vacancies that occur throughout our school for up to 12 months following this initial appointment. This includes circumstances where this position becomes subsequently vacant should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised position.
To be suitable for this role, you will need to demonstrate the following work related requirements:
- Highly-proficient skills and the application of scientific practitioner models that contribute to system-level understandings and decision making.
- Application of exemplary specialist knowledge and skills and the provision of leadership in the development of programs and interventions.
- Ability to clarify and communicate complex concepts and provide feedback and critical evaluation on the school psychology profession, system policy, direction and operation.
- Leadership of strategic partnerships to build capacity, influence systemic policy and undertake interventions and prevention programs.
- Leadership and engagement in a variety of professional activities that indicate critical self-reflection, flexibility, exemplary practice and the development of learning communities.
Applications will be assessed against these work related requirements of the position. The business needs of the school may also be considered. It is therefore recommended that you consider all information contained in the advertisement and any other related information before applying for the vacancy.
The Department is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and persons from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply.
For further job related information:
Please contact Milton Butcher, Regional Executive Director at Milton.Butcher@education.wa.edu.au or Ann Lord, School Psychology Service Branch at Ann.Lord@education.wa.edu.au.
During the vacation period please contact Ann Lord, School Psychology Service Branch, on 0417 918 095.
Application Instructions
All applications are submitted online. Select “Apply for Job”, at either the top or bottom of this screen and follow the instructions on your screen.
You are required to attach a personal resume and covering letter outlining your skills and experiences in relation to the position. It is recommended you have these documents completed and ready to attach before selecting “Apply for Job”.
You are asked to complete an online application form and attach your documentation, please allow enough time to complete this process as applications cannot be accepted after the closing date and time.
After you have submitted your application online, you will receive an email confirming lodgement. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please telephone (08) 9264 4127.
If you are having difficulty submitting your online application, please telephone (08) 9264 8666 for assistance.
ELIGIBILITY
Employees will be required to:
- provide evidence of eligibility to work in Australia for the term of the vacancy; and
- obtain a current Department of Education Criminal Record Clearance prior to commencement of employment; and
- obtain or hold a current Working with Children Check; and
- hold an appropriate degree or equivalent qualification which entitles general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA); and
- hold a recognised qualification in teaching (minimum one year); or
- hold a Graduate Diploma in School Psychology (or equivalent); or
- have undertaken a minimum placement of 40 days in the school education sector as part of higher degree studies in psychology; or
- have worked a minimum of three years full-time (or equivalent part-time) as a school psychologist (or equivalent position).
Employees are required to have achieved Advanced Skills School Psychologist status for permanent appointment to this position.
Information about registration with the Psychology Board of Australia can be obtained by calling 1300 419 495 or by visiting www.psychologyboard.gov.au. Please see the Department’s Careers website for the support provided to graduate school psychologists undertaking provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.
TRAINING
Employees will be required to:
- complete the Department’s induction program within three months of commencement;
- complete any training specific to this role required by Departmental policy; and
- complete the Department’s training in Accountable and Ethical Decision-Making within six months of appointment.
The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.
Applications must be submitted before 4.30pm (WST) on Tuesday, 28 January 2020
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE
PROFORMA, FAXED, HAND DELIVERED, POSTED, EMAILED AND LATE APPLICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.