Psychologist - Canterbury Area Group

Department of Corrections NZ; Canterbury; On-site; NZD 83,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Annual Departmental Day

Professional development funding

Te Reo Māori & Tikanga allowance

APC reimbursement

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Expert Witness Allowance

Health, wellbeing & EAP support

Job summary

The Canterbury Area Group, Psychological Services, within the Department of Corrections NZ, invites you to join a collaborative team across Waitaha sites. You will contribute to clinical assessments, treatment, and specialised programmes within a scientist-practitioner framework.

You will receive high-quality supervision and access to senior psychological expertise, with a focus on culturally responsive practice and professional development aligned with Hōkai Rangi.

Qualifications

• In possession of a master’s degree in psychology and registration with the NZ Psychologist Board (full or intern).
• Early career psychologist with interest in development-focused services.
• Commitment to culturally responsive ways of working and Hōkai Rangi outcomes.
• Strong problem-solving skills and excellent communication.

Responsibilities

• Conduct clinical assessments, treatment, and specialised programmes.
• Provide supervision, advice and training within Corrections and allied agencies.
• Consult to the Parole Board and Courts as required.
• Support new service developments and work across Corrections sites.

Skills

Strong communication

Collaborative

Problem solving

Cultural responsiveness

Te Ao Māori awareness

Education

Master's degree in psychology

Registration with NZ Psychologist Board (full or intern)

Job description

# Psychologist - Canterbury Area Group## About this role* Join our collegial, supportive team committed to psychological best practice.* Use your clinical skills and expertise in a diverse social service environment aligned with our Hōkai Rangi approach to meeting the needs of people in our care.* Gain professional development opportunities aimed at your career stage.**Mō te tūnga | About the role****Canterbury Area Group, Psychological Services.** Based in one of our two team hubs, you will enjoy clinical and professional variety as you assist us in achieving positive outcomes. Embracing the scientist-practitioner framework, we provide specialist expertise across a broad range of service areas that will match your clinical and professional leadership interests. We are focused on assisting individuals to develop the awareness and skills to reduce re-offending, as well as engaging with diverse and integrated rehabilitation initiatives. Our team undertakes clinical assessments, treatment and specialised programmes, provides supervision, advice, and training within Corrections and allied agencies, consults to the Parole Board and Courts, and supports new service developments. While part of a supportive collegial team, you will work across a range of Corrections sites, bringing variety and broad clinical experiences. You will receive access to high quality clinical and cultural supervision, as well as access to senior psychological expertise and recognised subject matter advisors.**Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience**Our professional team calls for someone who:* Has a minimum of a master's degree in psychology and registration (full or intern) with the NZ Psychologist Board.* Is ideally an early career psychologist.* Wants to begin or progress their career in a development focused service.* Can demonstrate and commit to culturally responsive ways of working.* Is an excellent problem solver with strong communication skills.* Is diligent, reliable and 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.In return our services can offer you:* Vibrant supportive team cultures.* Career-long professional development and supervision.* An environment in which psychology informs organisational practices.* A competitive salary and structured advancement opportunities.* World class criminal justice psychology training and mentoring.If you want to work for a service committed to using psychological approaches to achieve positive social outcomes that make our communities safer, visit our website and apply now.**Ngā painga | The benefits**The salary range for this role is $83,286 - $133,370 per annum, with appointment and remuneration based on clinical competency, skills, and experience.Frontline Psychologists may also access additional allowances, professional development funding, flexible working arrangements, and a range of benefits including:* 5 weeks annual leave, increasing to 6 weeks.* Annual Departmental Day.* National psychology training and development opportunities.* Te Reo Māori and Tikanga allowance.* APC reimbursement and Professional Indemnity Insurance contribution.* Expert Witness Allowance (where applicable).* Health, wellbeing, and EAP support.**Mō mātou | About us**Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections) Pae Ora leads the delivery of patient-focused primary health and mental health care services to tangata within corrections facilities across Aotearoa.Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai Rangi strategy.We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.You can find out more about us here.**Tono ināianei | Apply Now**Applications Close: **Wednesday, 11th November**To submit an application and view the position description, click the apply link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency – applications received via email will not be considered.When applying, submit a tailored **CV and a cover letter** describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact [e-mail], or visit **careers.corrections.govt.nz.****We are not accepting applications via recruitment agencies for this role. Unsolicited CVs submitted by agencies will not be accepted and no agency fees will apply.**## Job details| | || --- | --- || Job reference: | APA/1953146 || Location: | Canterbury (Waitaha) || Date posted: | 28-Oct-2026 || Application close date: | 11-Nov-2026 || Attachments: | Psychologist\\_Senior Psychologist JD.pdf (PDF, 444KB)Position Description |