Psychologist

New Zealand Government Joba; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 86,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Education in Christchurch is seeking a permanent full-time Psychologist to provide equitable, evidence-based psychological services for learners with additional learning needs. You will work within a team to support children, young people and their families/whanau, with strong focus on inclusive practices and collaboration with schools and early learning services.

The role requires a Master’s level qualification or Post-graduate Diploma in Educational or Clinical Psychology, NZ

Qualifications

• Experience in a complex organisation.
• Experience in building relationships and partnerships to achieve shared outcomes.
• Working effectively with children and young people and their families/whanau across diverse settings.
• Proven experience counselling, negotiating, mediation, and contracting.
• Ability to use data and insights to identify trends, risks and opportunities, to influence organisational and system-level decision making.
• Full driver's licence, and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Apply a strengths-based approach.
• Identify patterns or contributing factors that may be influencing learning, wellbeing and behaviour.
• Enhance inclusive practices in early learning services, schools, kura and other educational settings.
• Collaboratively support progress with learner goals.
• Provide professional support and guidance to schools, teachers and parents/caregivers/whanau and in collaboration, support the development and implementation of intervention plans.
• Assess, analyse, hypothesise, collaboratively plan, support and monitor the implementation of intervention plans for students with additional learning needs.

Skills

Relationship building

Working with learners' families

Counselling

Negotiation & mediation

Data-informed decision making

Education

Master's degree in Educational Psychology or Clinical Psychology

Post-graduate Diploma in Educational/Clinical Psychology

NZ Registered Psychologist

Job description

Help shape the future of education in New ZealandHelp shape the future of EducationWe work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomesOur organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our akonga in our education system.About this role | Mo tenei turangaWe have a permanent full-time position (1.0 FTE) Psychologist role based in our Christchurch office.The role of the Psychologist is to provide effective, efficient and equitable psychological services for the benefit of children and young people with additional learning needs in accordance with the goals, objectives and policies of the Ministry of Education.As a Psychologist, you will work as part of a team to understand the needs of the young person and family and implement evidence-based interventions in your areas of expertise. More specifically, you will:Apply a strengths-based approach.Identify patterns or contributing factors that may be influencing learning, wellbeing and behaviour.Enhance inclusive practices in early learning services, schools, kura and other educational settings.Collaboratively support progress with learner goals.Provide professional support and guidance to schools, teacher and parents/caregivers/whanau and in collaboration, support the development and implementation of intervention plans.Assess, analyse, hypothesise, collaboratively plan, support and monitor the implementation of individual (or group) intervention plans for students who have additional learning needs.Salary range: $85,916 - $116,816 per annum plus KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.For more details about the role, you can view the job description here.About you | Mohou akeTo be successful in this role you will have the following experience:Experience in a complex organisation.Experience in building relationships and partnerships to achieve shared outcomes.Working effectively with children and young people and their families/whanau across a diverse range of settings.Proven experience counselling, negotiating, mediation, and contracting.A proven ability to use data and insights to identify trends, risks and opportunities, to influence and guide organisational and system-level decision making.You will also offer:Full driver's licence, as travel will be requiredMaster's level tertiary qualificationPost-graduate Diploma in Educational Psychology or Clinical Psychology or equivalentTo be a New Zealand Registered Psychologist under the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act and hold a current practicing certificateThe ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.About our group and team | Matau ropu akeTe Mahau collectively provide leadership and integrated services to the education sector. This includes services such as learning support and education advice and regulation functions for schools and early learning services. The services help to remove barriers to participation and learning and provide regulatory advice, support and oversight to early learning providers, schools and kura.Are you ready to join a collaborative, well-functioning team to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mo tenei mahi?If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and resume by using the `apply' button. In your cover letter we would like to know about you, your values, or anything else you would like to share. We are keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.For further information, please contact Anna Niles, Service Manager at [e-mail] close Midnight - Sunday, 4 October 2026.Shortlisting will commence the week beginning 5th October 2026.Interviews will take place in the week commencing 12th October 2026.We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.