Senior Psychologist

Oranga Tamariki; Palmerston North, Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 126,000 - 139,000; Full time

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki in Palmerston North seeks an experienced Senior Psychologist to join the Te Ara Hou programme delivering therapeutic intervention to serious youth offenders as part of the Military Style Academy team at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice Residence.

You will lead psychological assessments, develop formulations, deliver individual interventions and support rehabilitation and reintegration for rangatahi, in a multidisciplinary setting and with staff coaching to lift practice across

Qualifications

• Master's Degree or Doctoral qualification in Psychology.
• Registration with the New Zealand Psychologists Board and a current Annual Practising Certificate.
• Clinical Scope of Practice preferred or significant experience working in youth mental health or justice settings.
• 2–4 years experience conducting comprehensive psychological assessments, formulations, and interventions.
• Experience working with young people experiencing complex behavioural, emotional, mental health, or offending-related challenges.
• Strong knowledge of adolescent development, rehabilitation, forensic psychology and risk reduction.
• Understanding of criminogenic needs, responsivity factors and offending behaviour change.
• Be a team player and have experience working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication, consultation and report-writing skills.
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive practice.
• A current full New Zealand Driver Licence.

Responsibilities

• Completing comprehensive psychological assessments and developing evidence-based formulations.
• Delivering individual psychological interventions tailored to the needs of each young person.
• Supporting rangatahi to address offending behaviour, emotional regulation, trauma, mental health concerns and relapse prevention.
• Providing specialist psychological advice and consultation to multidisciplinary teams.
• Contributing to treatment planning, risk assessment and rehabilitation strategies.
• Supporting programme delivery through co-facilitation, consultation and specialist input where required.
• Building capability through coaching, training and education of frontline staff.
• Participating in case reviews, clinical consultations, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Supporting young people through transition and reintegration into their communities as required.

Skills

Psychological assessment

Intervention planning

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Communication

Report writing

Culturally responsive practice

Te Tiriti o Waitangi awareness

Education

Master's Degree in Psychology

Doctoral qualification in Psychology

Registration with NZ Psychologists Board

Annual Practising Certificate

Clinical Scope of Practice or relevant youth/justice experience

Job description

Provide specialist psychological expertise. Support rehabilitation. Help transform the lives of rangatahi

Oranga Tamariki is seeking an experienced and passionate Senior Psychologist to join our Te Ara Hou programme that is delivering a therapeutic intervention to serious and persistent youth offenders as part of the Military Style Academy (MSA) team, based at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice Residence in Palmerston North.

As Senior Psychologist, you will provide specialist psychological assessment, formulation and intervention services to rangatahi participating in the MSA programme. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will play a critical role in understanding the factors contributing to offending behaviour, support rehabilitation and help rangatahi build the skills and strategies needed for positive futures.

Delivered within a secure youth justice residence, the MSA programme is founded on therapeutic principles and combines educational, vocational, cultural and physical activities to support sustainable behavioural change and positive long-term outcomes for rangatahi. Following the 6 month residential phase, this role works with the rangatahi within the community phase to reinforce learning, strengthen protective factors and support successful reintegration.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

This is a unique opportunity to apply your psychological expertise within an innovative, strengths-based and mana-enhancing programme focused on achieving lasting change for rangatahi.

Key responsibilities include:

• Completing comprehensive psychological assessments and developing evidence-based formulations.
• Delivering individual psychological interventions tailored to the needs of each young person.
• Supporting rangatahi to address offending behaviour, emotional regulation, trauma, mental health concerns and relapse prevention.
• Providing specialist psychological advice and consultation to multidisciplinary teams.
• Contributing to treatment planning, risk assessment and rehabilitation strategies.
• Supporting programme delivery through co-facilitation, consultation and specialist input where required.
• Building capability through coaching, training and education of frontline staff.
• Participating in case reviews, clinical consultations, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Supporting young people through transition and reintegration into their communities as required.

You are a highly skilled psychologist who is passionate about supporting young people to make meaningful and lasting changes in their lives. You are comfortable working in complex environments and thrive in a collaborative, multidisciplinary setting. You can work effectively in both team and autonomous situations. You will be resilient, have a mature life outlook and be willing to go the extra mile to support this intensive mahi.

You will bring:

• A Master's Degree or Doctoral qualification in Psychology.
• Registration with the New Zealand Psychologists Board and a current Annual Practising Certificate.
• Clinical Scope of Practice preferred or significant experience working in youth mental health or justice settings.
• 2-4 years experience conducting comprehensive psychological assessments, formulations, and interventions.
• Experience working with young people experiencing complex behavioural, emotional, mental health, or offending-related challenges.
• Strong knowledge of adolescent development, rehabilitation, forensic psychology and risk reduction.
• Understanding of criminogenic needs, responsivity factors and offending behaviour change.
• Be a team player and have experience working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication, consultation and report-writing skills.
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive practice.
• A current full New Zealand Driver Licence.

Why join the Military Style Academy?

The MSA provides an opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of rangatahi, whānau, and communities across Aotearoa.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Deliver specialist psychological services within a unique and innovative rehabilitation programme.
• Support meaningful behaviour changes and long-term positive outcomes for rangatahi.
• Work alongside a passionate multidisciplinary team committed to excellence.
• Influence programme development and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen connections between young people, whānau, culture, and community.
• Be part of a purpose-driven environment where your expertise has a lasting impact.

At Oranga Tamariki, our vision is that New Zealand values the wellbeing of tamariki above all else. We work alongside whānau and communities to ensure tamariki and rangatahi are safe, strong, connected, and able to flourish.

Remuneration for this position starts between $125,926 and $139,459 dependent on experience.

If you are interested, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with our Code of Conduct as it sets out our expectations for our kaimahi and requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol.