This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 3, 2025
As a Lead School Psychologist in the Southwest Education Region, you will be directly accountable to the Director of Education. You will also be 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 Role
The Lead School Psychologist will lead and manage services to schools in the Southwest Regional area. You will ensure effective deployment of School Psychologists and access to specialist school psychology resources. You will encourage and initiate consultative and collaborative intra and inter-agency partnerships.
As a Lead School Psychologist, you will work collaboratively with other Lead School Psychologists, you may be required to assist psychologists and principals across the Southwest Education Region.
The Lead School Psychologist leads in the provision of contemporary psychological practice. Broad experience and capacity to provide leadership across all core areas of the service (mental health, learning, behaviour, cultural responsiveness, educational continuity and incident management) will be advantageous. You will quality assure the practice of the school psychology team to ensure practice meets Department and school needs in accordance with the professional standards of the Department, the Psychology Board of Australia (Board), and standards outlined in the Competency Framework for School Psychologists. You will provide leadership and access to professional support and learning for school psychologists and ensure professional supervision for provisionally registered psychologists. Approval and experience as a Board approved supervisor will be considered favourably.
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.
Current permanent employees with ASSP status 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.
The Lead School Psychologist provides direct advice to the Director of Education, principals and the system in assessment, response and critical evaluation of complex issues and situations, including emergency and critical incident management to uphold the regional provision of timely and agile responsiveness to address current and emerging needs of all schools and networks in the Southwest.
Learn more about how we support school psychologists on our website: Education WA - School Psychologists
Professional Benefits
Working for the Department of Education you will enjoy a range of benefits including competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, training and career development opportunities and attractive leave provisions. Find out more about the benefits by visiting professional and personal benefits.
For additional information to all allowances and housing please contact Housing and Transport at housing.transport@education.wa.edu.au or on (08) 9264 5154.
Want to know more?
Full details of the role, selection criteria and eligibility requirements are listed in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dainon Couzic, Director of Education, on (08) 9791 0300 or emailing Dainon.Couzic@education.wa.edu.au
During the school holiday period, please contact Casie Cope on (08) 9791 0316.
Equity and Diversity
We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our schools and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people of diverse sexualities and genders, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Explore our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025 for more details.
Eligibility
To work with us, you must:
- hold or be eligible for general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia
- be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment.
- obtain a valid Working With Children Check before you start; and
- consent to a National Criminal History Check with the Department's Screening Unit.
- 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.
More information on employment eligibility can be found here and in the attached Job Description Form (JDF) located at the bottom of this advertisement.
Application Instructions
Apply online in two easy steps:
Step 1: Select Apply for Job
Complete the online application form, including details of two (2) work related referees, preferably one being your current line manager.
Step 2: Attach your documents
Your application should include:
- A CV of up to three (3) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position
- A five (5) page statement addressing the following selection criteria as outlined in the attached JDF:
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.
Please provide evidence of Advanced Skills School Psychologist status (if held).
It is recommended you have your attachments ready before selecting Apply for Job.
Your application must be received before the closing date and time. Late applications will not be accepted.
For technical support submitting your application, you can call the Department of Education’s Recruitment team on (08) 9264 4127 for assistance.
Advertised Vacancy Number: DOE963821
Applicants assessed as suitable may be considered for similar vacancies that arise in our school within the next twelve months. This includes circumstances where this position becomes subsequently vacant should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised position.
The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.
Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Friday, 09 May 2025
