School Psychologist in Newcastle

Full Time: 1.0 FTE (Full time equivalent)

Location: Taree High School

School psychologists are an essential part of the Department’s school counselling service and work in primary and high schools. They provide counselling and psychological assessment of students, to complement and enhance the work of teachers to strengthen student learning and wellbeing outcomes, and help families understand and manage their children’s learning and mental health needs. This is a truly collegiate role offering unique challenges and opportunities – both in your professional development and your ability to make an impact on the lives of children and young people.

The successful candidate will be based at Taree High School and provided with opportunities to work across the lifespan with both primary and high school aged students. Working in a NSW public school will enable you to engage with a diversity of students (and school communities) like no other child and adolescent psychologist role can. This is a chance to use your skills to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people at a time in their lives when it matters most.

School psychologists receive individual professional supervision with the Senior Psychologist Education and participate in group and peer supervision as a member of the broader school counselling team. You will most likely be collaborating with a number of school communities and colleagues, as well as outside agencies, with the opportunity to use and expand the full range of your skills and expertise as part of a supportive, multidisciplinary team. School psychologists are provided with opportunities to participate in continuing professional development and the NSW Department of Education will support you to complete or maintain your registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.

Other benefits include access to a range of leave types, including recreation leave and flex leave, as well as leave loading, travel allowances and health and wellbeing benefits such as our Fitness Passport program. The department will also cover your indemnity insurance as a psychologist while working in our schools.

Taree High School, situated in the vibrant Manning Valley, proudly educates a diverse community of 680 students, including a significant 22% representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Our curriculum and facilities are state-of-the-art, supporting a wide range of interests and pathways, from the arts and sciences to vocational training and beyond. Committed to the Connected Communities Strategy, we strive for excellence in Indigenous education, embedding the rich Biripi culture and Gathang language into our learning environment. Our approach to education is holistic, fostering respect, belonging, and a lifelong love for learning. Through innovative programs, a strong wellbeing support system, and active community partnerships, we ensure every student is equipped to thrive and contribute positively to society.

Key Accountabilities

• Provides counselling and psychological services to students, individually and in groups, including appropriate short term therapeutic interventions undertaken within the constraints of their training, experience and supervision.
• Engages with and implements the procedures of the Professional Practice Framework for the NSW School Counselling Service.
• Works in consultation with the principal, school executive, staff and student support services to improve student learning and wellbeing outcomes and implement current departmental priorities.
• Contributes to the social, emotional, and academic development of students, and supports schools and students with complex behavioural needs.
• Administers cognitive, social, emotional and behavioural assessment of students, reports on the results of assessments and interventions and collaborates to improve learning, wellbeing and mental health outcomes.
• Works collaboratively with learning and support teams, parents and carers, and other agencies, to develop appropriate school based support for students.
• Responds as part of a team to assist schools experiencing serious incidents.
• Refers students and/or their families and carers to other agencies that will support the development of student health and wellbeing outcomes.

Essential Requirements

• Knowledge of and commitment to the Department’s Aboriginal Education Policy, Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG Inc. and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy.
• General or Provisional Psychology Registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.
• Valid and current Working with Children Check clearance – WWCC must be NSW.
• Current and valid driver’s licence and ability and willingness to travel between work sites. Must have a valid unrestricted provisional or full driver’s licence with the ability to drive oneself.
• Australian citizenship or permanent residency.

Total Remuneration Package

Package valued up to $187,933 + incentives (where applicable). Base salary ranges from $104,156 - $165,812 plus leave loading and employer's contribution to superannuation. Base salary rates above the minimum are available dependent on professional experience.

About the NSW Department of Education

We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees, neurodiverse people and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better help you shine, please contact the hiring manager using the contact details provided above.