Senior Psychologist

**Overview**

Following the Military Style Academy (MSA) Pilot, Oranga Tamariki is well advanced in planning what future versions of the MSA may look like and is looking to deliver the programme again in 2026.

The MSA is a kaupapa-driven, military-style residential programme for serious and persistent youth offenders and will provide an evidence-based, trauma-informed, alternative pathway for youth offenders to help them thrive within their wh nau and communities.

Working in partnership with mana whenua and other youth focused providers, the programme is intended to bring hope, healing, and sustained change

We have two permanent fulltime opportunities for Senior Psychologists to become part of the MSA programme

**He aha te mea nui o te ao. He t ngata, he t ngata, he t ngata**
**What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people**
In this role, you will be providing clinical guidance and assistance to some of our most vulnerable and high needs tamariki and rangatahi, and their wh nau, providing best practice models of assessment and intervention.

**Mo te tunga | About the role**
As a Senior Psychologist in the Military Style Academy, you will play a pivotal role in supporting rangatahi through:

- Completing psychological assessments to identify risk, need and wellbeing domains,
- Facilitating and/or supporting the group-based therapeutic programme aimed at addressing offending behaviour and promoting resilience
- Provide individual therapy to a small caseload of rangatahi, including during their transition back to the community
- Delivering training to kaimahi to enhance their therapeutic knowledge and intervention skills
- Providing clinical supervision and case guidance / consultation to the wider teams working with our rangatahi

Reporting back to the Manager Clinical Programme, this role is part of a wider clinical team. You will work closely with rangatahi, wh nau, case leaders, care teams, social workers, and partner agencies to ensure integrated, evidence-informed treatment and support. This role is central to helping rangatahi thrive and contribute positively to their wh nau and communities.

We are ideally looking for psychologists who have experience working therapeutically with tamariki, rangatahi, and their wh nau or who have experience working therapeutically with clients with offending / problematic behaviour.

**Ng pumanawatanga ou | What you will bring**
Key requirements of the role include:

- Applicants must be registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board to be considered
- High personal resilience, coupled with great communication skills
- Preferably have postgraduate qualifications in Clinical, Child and Family, Counselling or Educational Psychology
- Preferably experience working directly with rangatahi and their wh nau or with clients with offending behaviour.
- Proven experience in completing complex assessments.
- Proven experience delivering therapeutic interventions.
- A passion for working with tamariki, rangatahi and wh nau and the networks that support them.
- A genuine desire to make a difference to the lives of tamariki and whanau facing adversity
- Have proven practical experience in a wide range of applied psychology, including consultation, training and evaluation.
- Experience in administration and interpretation of psychometric tests and instruments, alongside clinical ability to assess developmental functioning, trauma, behavioural concerns, risk, relationships and other domains in tamariki and rangatahi populations
- Cultural competence working with M ori, within the context of Te Tiriti o Waitangi; understanding and respecting Te O M ori
- Strong engagement and relationship building skills with internal and external stakeholders
- The ability to manage risk in the context of complex situations
- Some understanding of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989

**Nou te rourou | What's in it for you**
Oranga Tamariki offer a step-based remuneration package, that offers progression annually for experience through tenure. Please contact us if you would like more information about the Oranga Tamariki remuneration framework.
We offer a vibrant and supportive team, flexible work options and a genuine commitment to wellbeing. We offer significant training and professional development so that you can thrive and grow. We welcome diversity and are committed to working in an inclusive and respectful way. The opportunity to make a positive impact in an organisation that works to ensure all tamariki and rangatahi are in loving whanau and communities.
Consideration may be given to applicants seeking to work part time to support work in a private practice as well as Internal, external and peer clinical case supervision and supportive practice systems

Additional Information:
Some benefits, such as professional development funding, external supervision reimbursement, and coverage of professional fees, may be available under the terms of a collective