Psychologist

Opportunity to contribute to the psychological wellbeing of people in our care
- Join our supportive team of psychologists that cover both Manawatu/Wairarapa and Whanganui/Taranaki districts
- Competitive salary

**Kotahi anō te kaupapa**: ko te oranga o te iwi', ‘There is only one purpose to our work: the wellness and wellbeing of people'
Hōkai Rangi is Ara Poutama Aotearoa's organisational strategy. A key focus of Hōkai Rangi is the humanising and healing of those people in our care. Ara Poutama Aotearoa staff focus on having relationships with the people in our care, and their whānau, based on manaaki and contribute positively to their wellbeing. While also supporting individuals to desist from offending behaviour and develop new life paths that further aid their wellbeing into the future.
Mō te tūnga | About the role
We are looking for a Registered Psychologist to join our passionate and supportive team. Our team is based in central Palmerston North, in the Community Corrections Hub. We spend our time working within the prison context, both Manawatu and Whanganui (male prisons), as well as Community Corrections. We also have a team member based at New Plymouth Community Corrections and consideration would be given for the successful applicant to be based in Whanganui, Hawera or New Plymouth. We endeavour to work collectively as a Lower North Region, connecting with our psychology colleagues based in Wellington, Upper Hutt, Te Whare Manaakitanga (a Special Treatment Unit) and Hawkes Bay.
Our team undertakes a broad range of clinical tasks and case consultation with men, women and young adults. We undertake assessment and intervention with men and women identified as high risk of further offending. As such, we are often working with people who experience a complex array of challenge, who are often motivated for change and engage positively in the therapeutic process. You will receive the training, supervision and support you need to excel as a therapist both in your assessment and intervention, and the opportunity to provide advice to the Courts and New Zealand Parole Board.
We engage in consultation meetings with our colleagues across Ara Poutama Aotearoa and the community, as well as support whanau hui. You will also have opportunities to provide training and continue to develop areas of interest to you, while exploring how they intersect with our work at Ara Poutama Aotearoa. We are building our emphasis and skill in the area of trauma informed care, and we complete neuropsychological assessment as appropriate.
Being a psychologist with Ara Poutama Aotearoa can be a demanding role, but we have a focus on work life balance and maintaining wellbeing while performing to a high level of expertise, skills and client time. We endeavour to be responsive to psychologists needs while supporting them to achieve great outcomes. As part of this Ara Poutama Aotearoa will provide you with all the specific training you need to perform the role, ongoing support in the form of supervision, refreshers, in house and external training.

**We are looking for someone who**:

- Is reliable with strong verbal and written communication skills
- Has experience in risk assessment in a similar setting (desirable)
- Has strong therapy skills, and has a knowledge of trauma (desirable)
- Can demonstrate and commit to culturally responsive ways of working
- Is an excellent problem solver
- Works well in a collaborative professional environment
- Can demonstrate an understanding of Te Ao Māori/Tikanga Māori and bi-cultural practice
- Has commitment to contributing to the outcomes of Hōkai Rangi
- Wants to begin or progress their career in a development focused service.
- Has a minimum of a Masters degree in Psychology (Clinical or Forensic Psychology) and registration with the New Zealand Psychologists' Board.

**Some of the benefits of joining our team include**:

- The pride of working for a Government Organisation leading with a strong strategy, Hōkai Rangi.
- Excellent clinical and Kaupapa Māori (cultural) supervision.
- Working within a team of psychologists.
- Working in prison and community-based settings.
- A chance to work in a culturally diverse region.
- An in-depth training programme to equip staff with knowledge in risk assessment and therapy.
- Ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Flexible working conditions.

Please note that applicants must hold registration with the New Zealand Psychologists Board and will be required to complete a full disclosure criminal history check and pre-employment drug tests.
The position is salaried from $81,049 - $125,485 depending on the experience and competency level of the successful applicants.
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 (welfare) and safety of the people, whānau, and that of the communities we serve across the motu (country).
To apply, please submit a tailore