Advertised Vacancy Number: DOE581991
Are you an aspiring leader of psychologists working in schools?
The Department of Education is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, experienced and aspiring leader to the position of Lead School Psychologist in the Pilbara Education Region. This 1.0 FTE (0.5 FTE permanent with an additional 0.5 FTE fixed-term for six months with the possibility of permanency) will commence in Term 3, 2019, located in Port Hedland, supporting the Eastern side of the region. You will work collaboratively with the other Lead School Psychologist, based in Karratha.
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, based in the locations of Karratha, Newman, Tom Price and Port Hedland. The team comprises school psychology graduates through to experienced officers and as leaders you will also work collaboratively with each other. 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 applicants 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.
The Pilbara Education Region comprises 31 public schools providing Kindergarten to Year 12 school based education programs for over 8,800 students in the north-west of Western Australia. 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 a 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 stromatalites estimated to be 3.45 billion years old.
As Western Australia’s largest employer, the Department of Education offers a range of attractive professional and personal benefits including:
- a confirmed lead school psychologist salary of $134,504;
- 9.25 percent employer contributions to superannuation;
- 8 weeks vacation leave (during school holidays);
- more than 20 days of other leave, including sick leave and carers’ leave;
- subsidised accommodation and assistance with travel and the transport of furniture, personal effects and motor vehicles where applicable; and
- professional development and career advancement opportunities.
This position attracts an Attraction and Retention Incentive of an additional $10,210 p.a., approved to 31 December, 2019.
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.
Please contact Cheryl Parkin, Regional Executive Director – Pilbara on 9185 0111 or Cheryl.Parkin@education.wa.edu.au. You may also contact Chris Gostelow, Chief Psychologist, School Psychology Service on 9402 6454 or Chris.Gostelow@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;
- 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 provisional or 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
- hold an appropriate degree or equivalent qualification which entitles general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and 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 Friday, 21 June 2019
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE
PROFORMA, FAXED, HAND DELIVERED, POSTED, EMAILED AND LATE APPLICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.