Advertised Vacancy Number: DOE632009
Please note as of 4pm, Wednesday 17 June 2020 the closing date of this advertisement has been extended.
This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 3, 2020
The Department of Education is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic leader to the position of Lead School Psychologist in the Wheatbelt Education Region.
Key points about this position:
- This full-time position will commence on 20 July 2020.
- The position will be based in Narrogin, 200km south-east of Perth on the Great Southern Highway.
- Eligible for subsidised housing and relocation expenses.
- Some travel within and external to the region will be required.
- 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 position – if there is no suitable candidate with ASSP status identified, a candidate without ASSP status may 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 utlised 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 work collaboratively with the other Lead School Psychologist in the Wheatbelt Education Region based in Northam and while each leaders manages their own team, it is expected that there are consistent processes and collaboration across the region.
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.
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. You will also provide leadership in the development and implementation of appropriate programs, interventions and evaluations at all levels, including facilitation of systemic change and provide critical evaluation on issues impacting on the School Psychology Service
About the Wheatbelt
The Wheatbelt Education Region is one of eight regions within the Western Australian Department of Education, and contains the major centres of Narrogin, Northam, Merredin, Katanning and Moora. It covers an area the size of Tasmania, extending from Wundowie and Boddington in the west, to Southern Cross and Newdegate in the east, Dalwallinu in the north and Broomehill in the south. The economy is based largely on agriculture.
There are 69 public schools in the region, including 41 primary schools, 20 district high schools, four senior high schools, one K-12 college, two campuses of the WA College of Agriculture and one education support centre.
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 Neil Darby, Regional Executive Director, Wheatbelt Education Region by telephoning (08) 9622 0203 or emailing Neil.Darby@education.wa.edu.au or Yvette Harrison, Coordinator Regional Services by telephoning 0409 082 730 or emailing Yvette.Harrison@education.wa.edu.au
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 Thursday, 18 June 2020
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE
PROFORMA, FAXED, HAND DELIVERED, POSTED, EMAILED AND LATE APPLICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.