Psychologist, Special Treatment Unit - Rimutaka at Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections), Wellington (Te Whanganui a Tara)

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Te Whare Manaakitanga Special Treatment Unit (TWM) is a dedicated 30-bed therapeutic community at Rimutaka Prison, renowned for its success in supporting the rehabilitation and reintegration of men with histories of serious violent offending.

As a psychologist at TWM you are at the heart of a transformative journey. You will be required to develop meaningful therapeutic alliances with men who have been entrenched in the criminal/gang world and often had few safe relationships in their lives, and will work closely with colleagues to maintain an environment that allows these men to let down their defences so real change can occur.     

Your annual workload will involve recruiting, assessing and developing individualised treatment plans for 10 men. You will then co-facilitate an eight-month cognitive-behavioural group treatment programme with these men, after which you will complete specialist reports outlining their treatment progress. Throughout this time, you will have the ability to design and deliver complementary individual sessions as required.  

Due to the intensive nature of our work – it is essential that all staff interested in working at TWM have strong professional boundaries and understand the importance of proactively navigating transference issues to keep our clients and staff safe. All staff will get to benefit from the expertise of our full time Kaupapa Māori Practitioner who guides cultural practises in our whare, and Senior psychologists will have further opportunities to provide clinical supervision and training.

If you would like to learn more about our work, please see the attached documents co-produced by staff and clients at our whare. To view these documents and the job description, click 'apply' and you will be taken through to our careers site, where you have access.

He kōrero mōu | About you 

Join TWM and work alongside a dedicated team to make a genuine impact. As a psychologist at Rimutaka Prison, you'll have the opportunity to empower individuals in our care to better themselves. We are looking for someone with a passion for creating positive change, strong relational skills, and adaptability.

In this role, you will navigate complex environments, collaborate closely with custodial staff, and contribute directly to positive transformations. Your resilience and creativity will be key as you balance multiple perspectives and engage in meaningful work. This is a chance to be proactive and reflective, combining your expertise with the satisfaction of making a real difference in the lives of those we serve.

If you are ready for a transformative opportunity, we invite you to consider joining our team at Te Whare Manaakitanga. 

Utu ā-tau | Salary

The salary range for the role is $83,286 - $133,370. Frontline Psychologists have the ability to work towards additional allowances and allocated professional development funding. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

International Relocation Package

Ara Poutama has relocation packages available for candidates relocating from overseas. For international applicants, please confirm your eligibility to register as a psychologist in New Zealand.

• Freight forward of $10,000
• Airfares for candidates and travelling family
• 4-weeks accommodation
• 4-weeks rental vehicle hire
• Airport transfers of up to $300 and any stop-over accommodation

Ko wai mātou | About us

Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections) Health Services lead the delivery of patient-focused primary health care services to tangata within corrections facilities across Aotearoa.  Hōkai Rangi, our over-arching strategic direction, places the focus on health at the heart of our business. Building our frameworks from a Mātauranga Māori basis is our focus to drive and support equity for Māori, which in turn will contribute to achieving our outcomes of reducing reoffending. 

To find out more about becoming a psychologist at the Department of Corrections Ara Poutama Aotearoa click here.

Tono ināianei | Apply Now

Applications Close Sunday, 20th October.

To apply, please submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience. Alignment to our kaupapa is critical to our success - we ask that you provide examples which reflect and demonstrate our organisation values. 

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

All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency. Applications received via email will not be considered. 

If you would like to discuss this position further, please contact Nicky Perkins, Manager Psychological Services on email nicola.perkins@corrections.govt.nz