Department of Corrections Looking for Principal Adviser Psychology at Full Time

At the Department of Corrections, we are committed to reducing re-offending and promoting public safety in New Zealand. We believe that by helping people lead crime-free lives, we can create a safer community with fewer victims. We manage custodial and community-based sentences and have 18 prisons and 160 Community Corrections sites across the country. We are looking for a Principal Adviser Psychology to join our team of specialist psychologists and help us provide optimal psychological services to offenders.

Ngā kawenga | About the role

As a Principal Adviser Psychology, you will provide expert guidance, assurance, advice, and support to National Office, Special Treatment Unit (STU) staff, regional psychology offices, and other regional staff and key stakeholders to ensure that offenders managed by the Department receive optimal psychological services. You will lead the development of practice standards and guidelines, provide information to key internal and external stakeholders, undertake projects, programme development and enhancement, and integrity monitoring and evaluation.

The key accountability areas for this position include providing professional advice and support to stakeholders and customers, working with the Psychology team to provide a “whole of business” perspective to projects, contributing subject matter expertise to ensure high-quality psychological services, and developing and maintaining effective relationships with internal and external customers and stakeholders.

More generally, the accountabilities for this position include familiarity and compliance with the Department’s Code of Conduct and related documents, adherence to the Department’s health and safety policies and procedures to maintain a safe working environment, and performing other duties as reasonably required and incidental to the job description.

He kōrero mōu | About you

The requirements for this position include expert knowledge of legislation governing health assessment reports and psychology advice, risk assessment measures, and high-level clinical governance and quality assurance processes. The candidate must have proven experience in implementing psychological services, knowledge of research and effective assessment and treatment methods for offenders, and an understanding of the Corrections Justice operational environment and relevant legislation and policies.

Furthermore, it is essential for the applicant to possess an understanding of the workings of the government and research techniques, along with proficiency in relevant IT software and databases. The ability to establish and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders and effective communication skills (both verbal and written) is also required.

The ideal candidate will have a post-graduate degree in Psychology, a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, registration as a Psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists Board, a proven track record in managing projects and developing programs, a sound understanding of evidence-based practice principles in a justice context, excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Utu ā-tau | Salary

The salary range for the role is $110,091 – $129,519 (Mid) – $155,423. We may also offer flexible and/or part-time options for working hours. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

Ko wai mātou | About us

Ara Poutama Aotearoa is a name that has been gifted to us and is our commitment to improving the oranga (wellness and wellbeing) and safety of the people, whānau, and that of the communities we serve across the motu (country).  As a values-led organisation, we use our values of whānau (relationships), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), rangatira (leadership), and manaaki (respect) to shape how we work and deliver the outcomes in our strategy – Hōkai Rangi (https://careers.corrections.govt.nz/strategy).

Tono ināianei | Apply Now

To apply, please submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience. Applications close 11pm Sunday, 14 May 2023. Alignment to our kaupapa is critical to our success – we ask that you provide examples which reflect and demonstrate our organisation values. It is an exciting time to join us, and we continue to seek out talented individuals who are committed to an inclusive, vibrant workplace. We recognise and celebrate the uniqueness of individuals, and that of the collective talent in our whānau.  All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency. Applications received via email will not be considered. If you want to find out more about a career with us, visit careers.corrections.govt.nz or email our team at [email protected].