| Salary Steps | 1/10/2009 |
|---|---|
| 7 | $95,432 |
| 6 | $87,059 |
| 5 | $78,688 |
| 4 | $69,393 |
| 3 | $61,960 |
| 2 | $50,890 |
| 1 | $45,233 |
The initial salary offered to psychologists joining the Department of Corrections (the Department) is determined by the candidate's level of competency at time of appointment. Progression to the next step of the salary scale will occur as the psychologist is assessed as being fully competent at that level.
There is an $2,400 per annum recruitment and retention allowance for certain locations: Auckland, including the Te Piriti and Puna Tatari Special Treatment Units, Hamilton, including Karaka Special Treatment Unit and Wellington including the Te Whare Manakitanga Unit.
Additional benefits include:
More information about KiwiSaver is provided to successful applicants on appointment or go to www.kiwisaver.govt.nz for more information.
Full-time psychologists receive 5 weeks annual holidays after 12 months service, increasing to 6 weeks after completing 4 years continuous service. For part-time staff, the above entitlements are pro-rated. There are also provisions for sick leave, bereavement leave and leave without pay.
Most psychologists work a 40 hour week between Monday and Friday.
No, but there is a dress code and smart corporate dress is required.
Yes, the PSA (Public Service Association) provides a collective employment agreement for psychologists in the Department.
Ideally we employ psychologists who have a Post-graduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology or Forensic Psychology.
No. However, you could apply for a programme facilitator role. Programme facilitators deliver rehabilitation programmes and work alongside our psychologists.
No. However, there are good opportunities for people with under-graduate psychology degrees and these can lead to a job as a psychologist. Programme facilitators, who deliver rehabilitation programmes, can undertake additional training (complete Masters, work towards registration etc.)
In order to practice as a psychologist for the Department, psychologists must be registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board:(www.psychologistsboard.org.nz) and hold an annual practicing certificate. The application process may involve a qualification assessment.
Most psychologists have post-graduate training in psychology and are registered as a General or Clinical Psychologists under the Health Practitioners' Competency Act 2003.
The Department has a Supervision to Registration programme for people with a Masters degree to obtain registration. The programme is designed for programme facilitators who work in our Special Treatment Units. Supervision to Registration is achieved through meeting programme requirements whilst performing programme facilitator duties. The alternative option is to complete a Post-Graduate Diploma to obtain registration.
Significant internal and external training is available and continuous learning is encouraged. Some examples of development opportunities our psychologists have had include:
We require you to have a full driver licence to become a psychologist. We will consider applications from candidates with a restricted driver licence, however all job offers will be conditional on the candidate obtaining their full driver licence.
What if I have a criminal conviction?Minor offences over 10 years ago may not be a problem, but you will not be considered if you have received a probation or custodial sentence. The Clean Slate Act 2004 applies to this role and any offences that aren't covered by this Act must be declared on your application form.
For more information, please refer to (www.justice.govt.nz) Does it matter if a family member is currently on probation?
Not necessarily, but if you are offered a job you will have to declare any possible conflict of interest, including associations and relationships that may pose a risk. As part of your appointment to the role, you will be asked to sign Code of Conduct, which covers the Department expectations.
Psychologists assess and treat high risk offenders who are sentenced to the community based sentences, or who are in prisons and rehabilitation units. They work closely with other Corrections staff (probation offices and prison staff) to assess and manage the risk of reoffending.
Psychologists provide detailed risk assessment reports to the New Zealand Parole Board and the courts. They provide supervision to all the programme facilitators delivering programmes in the community and in prison. They maintain clinical records, may complete some project and research work and supervise staff. The work is challenging and requires a high level of resilience and personal maturity to work with demanding populations.
Essentially the work is about risk assessment with an associated focus on rehabilitation. The way we do this is respected internationally. The Department has been called upon to provide guidance and advice to other countries.
The work is complex, challenging and very important to the community. The discipline of corrections psychology is rapidly progressing, with new theories constantly being developed and clinical practice technologies regularly refined.
Professionalism and collegiality are hallmarks of psychology practice within the Department.
The Department has a diverse staff base, with people from all sorts of different career backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures.
You can become a senior psychologist and then a principal psychologist. There are also opportunities to work on projects at both regional and national levels.
A number of psychologists hold senior management positions within the wider Department.
We are keen to consider applications from overseas psychologists with relevant skills, experience and qualifications. A number of the Department's psychologists have moved to New Zealand from other parts of the world and are currently enjoying the interesting work that we do within the Department and the New Zealand life style.
We will consider applications on a case by case basis from candidates who require an offer of employment to qualify for a Work Permit or New Zealand Residency, but any job offer will subject you obtaining the right to work in New Zealand.
Psychologists are on the skilled migrant list which may assist with your application for New Zealand Residency or a Work Permit. For immigration advice, please refer to (see Immigration New Zealand). (Australian citizens are able to work in New Zealand and do not require a Work Permit.)
You can apply on-line or send your CV and Application Form to us by email. If you are short listed, we are happy to conduct your interview by phone if it is difficult for you to travel to New Zealand for a face to face interview. We may also use some additional selection tools to determine if you are suitable for the position.
We understand that there are many things to consider when moving to another country and it is particularly important that you do your research. We are available to answer your queries which may assist you to better understand the way we manage our psychological services and the role of a psychologist within the Department. For information on moving to New Zealand, the following site may also be useful to you (see www.newzealandnow)
You would need to obtain registration with the New Zealand Psychologists Board. Information regarding registration can be obtained from their website: www.psychologistsboard.org.nz. We can assist you to work through this process.