Advertised Vacancy Number: DOE672707
This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 3, 2021
The Department of Education is seeking to appoint a motivated and dynamic Lead School Psychologist, based in Karratha to support the Pilbara Education Region.
This position is offered full-time (1.0FTE) on a permanent basis. Current permanent employees of the Department of Education may negotiate for a three (3) year placement, which would enable you to return to your substantive role at the end of the three (3) year term. This arrangement would need approval from your line manager, so you are encouraged to discuss this with them before applying.
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 will be appointed for a 12 month fixed-term period only. Permanent appointment will then be subject to ASSP status being gained during this 12 month appointment.
Additional benefits:
- An Attraction and Retention Incentive (ARI) is attached to this position, equivalent to an additional $8,020 p.a. (currently approved to 31 December 2022)
- Subsidised housing
- Free relocation
- Locality allowance
- Air-conditioning subsidy
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, based in Karratha as well as the other the locations of Port Hedland, Tom Price and Newman. The team comprises school psychology graduates through to experienced officers and you will also work collaboratively with another Lead School Psychologist (also based in Karratha). Some travel within and external to the region will be required, including overnight stays.
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.
Encompassing 507,896 square kilometres from the North West coastline to the border of the Northern Territory, the Pilbara is one of the largest regions in WA. It is thought to be 3.4 billion years old and is often described as the nation’s powerhouse due to the abundance of natural resources.
The countryside of the Pilbara offers unique outdoor adventures. The lifestyle in the Pilbara includes a vast array of outdoor activities such as camping, boating and fishing in some beautiful and remote landscapes.
The region can be separated into three distinct geographical formations, a vast coastal plain, breathtaking inland ranges and an arid desert region extending into Australia's dry centre. Offshore, natural gas is not the only thing to find. The Dampier Archipelago boasts pristine reefs dotted with virtually untouched islands providing a snapshot into the region’s environmental past.
The region is divided into four Local Government Authorities - Shire of Ashburton, City of Karratha, the Town of Port Hedland and Shire of East Pilbara. The major towns of the Pilbara include Port Hedland, South Hedland, Karratha, Onslow, Newman, Tom Price and Marble bar. A significant number of Indigenous communities are also present in the Pilbara, along with historic towns such as Cossack and pastoral stations and localities which date back to an early pastoral and pearling era.
The Pilbara is home to three national parks. Millstream-Chichester, Karlamilyi (Ruddell River) and Karijini National Parks would have to be three of the best-kept secrets of Australia. The Pilbara contains some of the oldest rock in the world - including the oldest known fossilised stromatolites estimated to be 3.45 billion years old.
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:
The criteria align with Phase 3 described in the Competency Framework for School Psychologists.
- 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 more information about School Psychology in the Department of Education WA, we encourage you to visit our website
For further job related information:
Please contact Ann Lord, Senior School Psychologist for further information about this employment opportunity, including information about living and working in Karratha, by telephoning 0417 918 095 or emailing Ann.Lord@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.
Your application should include:
- A five (5) page statement addressing the Work Related Requirements, in context of the role and business needs of the Pilbara Education Region
- A CV of up to pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position
- The contact details for two (2) work related referees (one being your current line manager)
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 AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Employees will be required to:
- provide evidence of eligibility to work in Australia for the term of the vacancy;
- obtain a current Department of Education Criminal Record Clearance prior to commencement of employment;
- 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).
- 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.
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.
The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.
Applications must be submitted before 4.30pm (WST) on Monday, 19 April 2021
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE
PROFORMA, FAXED, HAND DELIVERED, POSTED, EMAILED AND LATE APPLICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.