Psychologist - Upper Hutt at Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections), Wellington (Te Whanganui a Tara)

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Make a real impact every day by engaging in diverse interventions with individuals at high risk of reoffending.
• Join our supportive team for professional growth, where dynamic training and collaboration are at the heart of what we do.
• Find a fulfilling balance between personal well-being and professional success with our dedicated support system.

Kotahi anō te kaupapa: ko te oranga o te iwi', ‘There is only one purpose to our work: the wellness and wellbeing of people'

Mō te tūnga | About the role

We are looking for a registered psychologist to join our team at the Upper Hutt Psychologist's Office, located near Rimutaka Prison in Trentham, Upper Hutt. Our work encompasses Rimutaka and Arohata (female) Prisons, as well as Community Probation. We collaborate closely with the Wellington Psychological Service Teams in the Greater Wellington region.

Our team's responsibilities encompass various clinical tasks, including assessment, group and individual treatment, and case consultation with men, women, and Young Adults under 25. We work with individuals identified as high risk for reoffending, often dealing with complex challenges. You will receive comprehensive training, supervision, and support to excel as a therapist, including opportunities to provide Expert Witness Reports and Testimony in court.

We actively participate in Multidisciplinary meetings, support whanau hui, and emphasise collaboration with our clients. You'll have chances to provide training and explore areas of personal interest within our work at Ara Poutama. We're committed to trauma-informed practice and offer neuropsychological assessments as needed. Additionally, you'll develop skills for conducting challenging therapeutic conversations and providing empathic yet honest feedback.

While the role can be demanding, we prioritise work-life balance and well-being, ensuring you perform at a high level of expertise. Ara Poutama provides specific training, ongoing support through supervision, refreshers, and both in-house and external training to support your success in the role.

If you want to find out more about being a psychologist at the Department of Corrections, Ara Poutama Aotearoa click here.

Some of the benefits of joining our team include: 

• The pride of working for a Government Organisation leading the charge with a Māori focussed strategy – Hōkai Rangi – which we are working to make truly meaningful as a psychological service
• As part of this we now have in house cultural supervision which is cutting edge and focussed on our clients and their needs, and ensuring we are practicing thoughtfully and skilfully in this area as psychologists
• Working with and being supported by other psychologists
• Working in Prison and community-based settings
• A chance to work in a culturally diverse region
• An in-depth training programme to equip staff with knowledge in risk assessment and forensic treatment
• Ongoing professional development opportunities
• Regular clinical and cultural supervision
• Flexible working conditions 
• Free parking and use of pool cars

Ngā painga | The benefits

The full salary range is $83,286 - $133,370. Appointment and remuneration will reflect clinical competency, skills, and experience relevant to the role. Frontline Psychologists also can work towards additional allowances and allocated professional development funding. We may also offer flexible and/or part-time options for working hours. Our additional benefits include:

• Generous annual leave – 5 weeks, increasing up to 6 weeks (depending on role and tenure)
• Departmental Day – one additional paid day each year to support team wellbeing and connection
• Professional development support – an annual professional development fund
• National psychology training forum – annual national forum for all psychologists to connect, learn, and share best practice
• Te Reo Māori and Tikanga allowance – support and recognition for cultural capability, particularly for Māori practitioners
• Professional Indemnity Insurance – employer contribution included
• Annual Practising Certificate (APC) – reimbursement provided
• Expert Witness Allowance – where applicable to role responsibilities
• Wellbeing supports, including:
• Eye examinations and eyewear subsidy
• Health and wellbeing appointments
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Mō mātou | About us

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai Rangi strategy.

We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.

Tono ināianei | Apply Now

To submit an application and view the position description, click the apply link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency – applications received via email will not be considered.

When applying, submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.

Applications close on: Sunday 21st June

If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact Tom.Nicholas@corrections.govt.nz, or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.