Advertised Vacancy Number: DOE812350
This is a permanent full time position commencing ASAP
The Mid West Education Region is seeking to appoint a motivated and dynamic Lead School Psychologist.
About the Role
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 Geraldton as well as other locations including Carnarvon, Exmouth and Jurien Bay. The team comprises school psychology graduates through to experienced officers and you will also work collaboratively with the second Lead School Psychologist in the region. Some travel within and external to the Midwest may be required, including overnight stays.
You will be directly accountable to the Director of Education and professionally accountable to the Department’s Chief Psychologist, 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 Director, Principals and the system in the assessment and response to complex issues and situations, including incident management.
Lead School Psychologists provide 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.
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.
Candidates with ASSP status who are eligible for permanent appointment may negotiate for a three (3) year placement, which would enable you to return to your substantive Department of Education 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.
Our Region
The Midwest Education Region is one of eight regions within the Western Australian Department of Education. The region has 47 public schools with an enrolment of approximately 8,000 students. The Midwest Education Regional Office is located in Geraldton, the regional centre of the Mid West, 427 km north of Perth. The office services the major areas of the Gascoyne, Mid West and Murchison covering approximately 550,000 square km, which is more than 20% of the state. The region extends from Cervantes and Dandaragan in the south to Meekatharra to the east, Exmouth and Burringurrah in the north. The Midwest encompasses beaches, rugged coastlines, rivers, gorges and the hinterland, sustaining an economy based largely on agriculture, fishing, mining and tourism.
Benefits and support for this leadership position include:
- A place in the Department’s Development program for aspiring school psychology leaders
- Mentoring and support from lead school psychologists and the Office of the Chief Psychologist
- Access to specialised professional learning
- Subsidised housing
- Free relocation
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 (selection criteria):
The criteria align with Phase 3 described in the Competency Framework for School Psychologists.
- Demonstrated highly-proficient skills and the application of scientific practitioner models that contribute to system-level understandings and decision making.
- Demonstrated application of exemplary specialist knowledge and skills and the provision of leadership in the development of programs and interventions.
- Demonstrated ability to clarify and communicate complex concepts and provide feedback and critical evaluation on the school psychology profession, system policy, direction and operation.
- Demonstrated leadership of strategic partnerships to build capacity, influence systemic policy and undertake interventions and prevention programs.
- Demonstrated 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 (selection criteria) 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 Lisa Criddle, Director of Education - Mid West Education Region, by telephoning (08) 9956 1600 or emailing lisa.criddle@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 (selection criteria), in context of the role and business needs of the school
- A CV of up to three (3) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position
- The contact details for two (2) work related referees who can attest to the claims made in your written application, preferably 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
- hold or be eligible for general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.
- obtain a current Department of Education Criminal Record Clearance prior to commencement of employment
- obtain or hold a current Working with Children Check
- complete the Department’s induction program within 3 months of commencement
- complete any training specific to this role required by Departmental policy
- complete the Department’s training in Accountable and Ethical Decision-Making within 6 months of appointment
- complete the Department’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness online course within 3 months of commencement.
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 Thursday, 6 April 2023.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE
PROFORMA, FAXED, HAND DELIVERED, POSTED, EMAILED AND LATE APPLICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.
