Psychologist

NZ Ministry of Education; Whangarei; On-site; NZD 85,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Job summary

NZ Ministry of Education is seeking a Psychologist to join the Learning Support team in the Whangārei region. You will work with educators, families and whānau to understand the child, develop and monitor personalised learning plans, and adapt learning environments to support safer behaviours and improved participation.

Applicants should hold a Masters-level qualification with a Post-graduate Diploma in Educational or Clinical Psychology (or equivalent), be NZ Psychologist Board registered, and

Qualifications

• Knowledge, experience, and skills in supporting children and young people with severe and challenging behaviours.
• Ability to work in collaborative partnership with other professionals, agencies, families and the sector.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to sustain productive professional relationships.
• Commitment to evidence-based interventions and inclusive education practice.

Responsibilities

• Work with a team around the child, including educators, parents, caregivers and whānau.
• Develop, implement, and monitor personalised learning plans.
• Help adults around the child modify learning environments to manage behaviour and improve participation.
• Facilitate access to wider services and support (e.g., speech and language therapy).
• Enhance inclusive practices in schools and other educational settings.

Skills

Behaviour support for children

Collaborative partnership

Interpersonal skills

Evidence-based practice

Cultural responsiveness

Treaty of Waitangi awareness

Education

Masters-level qualification

Post-graduate Diploma in Educational Psychology or Clinical Psychology (or equivalent)

NZ Psychologist Board registration

Practicing Certificate

Job description

Will close on 9th September 2026.

NZ Ministry of Education – Whangarei, North Island

We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes

Our 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 ākonga in our education system.

One permanent, full-time role based in either Kaitaia, Kerikeri or Whangārei, Te Tai Tokerau.

As a Psychologist, you will play a critical role in our region's Learning Support team by doing the following:

• Working collaboratively with a team around the child, including educators, parents, caregivers and whānau, to enhance understanding about the child and their behaviours.
• Collaboratively develop, implement, and monitor an effective personalised learning plan.
• Helping the adults around the child to make changes to the learning environment so that their behaviour can be more effectively managed, and the situation can be stabilised/made safer. This includes supporting the child to develop more pro-social ways of responding, and improve their participation, wellbeing and learning outcomes.
• Facilitating access to wider services and support, in response to individual needs, for example speech and language therapy and local agencies.
• Enhancing inclusive practices in schools and other educational settings.

Salary range: $85,416 - $116,316 per annum plus KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

About you | Mōhou ake

To be successful you will need:

• Demonstrable knowledge, experience, and skills in supporting children and young people with severe and challenging behaviours.
• An ability and willingness to work in collaborative partnership with other professionals, agencies, families and the sector.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including an ability to sustain productive professional relationships.
• A genuine commitment to evidence-based interventions, which demonstrate inclusive education practice and contribute to raising student achievement.
• Masters-level tertiary qualification, Post-graduate Diploma in Educational Psychology or Clinical Psychology (or equivalent), New Zealand Psychologist Board registration, and a current Practicing Certificate.
• Sensitivity to cultural and ethnic diversity and a commitment to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

The Education Services Group provides well-designed, integrated education services that support the impactful and effective operation of education settings to support student achievement and participation. The services help to remove barriers to participation and learning and provide regulatory advice, support and oversight to early learning providers, schools and kura.

The Group has three key priorities for Education Services:

• Practice & Guidance: Managing practice and guidance to improve national coordination and consistency, whilst enabling regional autonomy for education service delivery.
• Integration & Delivery: Providing education support directly to education settings via integrated regional and national services. This includes intervening when necessary to ensure a high standard of operation to support student outcomes and owning key stakeholder relationships to support schooling improvement and stronger outcomes for learners.
• Monitoring & Improvement: Monitoring and advising on improvements to the effectiveness, efficiency and equity of services for achievement and progression, and attendance and participation. This includes monitoring education provider performance against regulations and intervening as required.

Learning Support ensures that children and young people with additional learning needs are supported to achieve their full potential through education. Our Learning Support specialists work closely with families, whānau, caregivers, schools and early childhood educators in English and Māori medium settings and other agencies to help maximise learning outcomes and promote social inclusion.

For further information, please contact Kate Brazier, Service Manager at ************@education.govt.nz

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.