• Ongoing Full-time

About the Department

The role of the Department of Education is to support Victorians to build prosperous, socially engaged, happy and healthy lives. It does this by supporting lifelong learning and healthy development, strengthening families and helping to equip people with the skills and knowledge for a 21st century economy and society. 

About the Division

Schools and Regional Services comprises 17 Areas within four regions across the state, as well as 5 central Divisions. Student Support Services (SSS) comprise the Allied Health professions of psychologists, speech pathologists, social workers, occupational therapists and behaviour analysts. 

SSS staff are part of an Area based multi-disciplinary health, wellbeing, and inclusion team and, together with the Area school improvement team, help build the capability of schools to support student achievement, engagement, and wellbeing.  To achieve these outcomes, SSS work in a multidisciplinary way to plan and deliver services in collaboration with schools in a multi-tiered system of support. SSS services include consultation, provision of a range of strategies and specialised support at individual, group, classroom, school, and Area levels.

About the Role

Student Support Services psychologists contribute to Student Support Services by providing specialist expertise as follows:

• Provide authoritative professional advice in relation to issues involving student wellbeing and learning.
• Support teachers in the development of educational programs, particularly in respect to students facing barriers to learning and/or engagement.
• Provide support at critical incidents in schools where appropriate.
• Undertake psychological assessments where appropriate to inform provision of reasonable adjustments 
• Offer advice and support in relation to Disability Inclusion.
• Undertake advanced wellbeing interventions to contribute to school support of students with complex needs.
• Contribute to the design and delivery or professional development for school staff and colleagues. 
• Assist the coordination of student support services within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Provides leadership, professionally and operationally, within a multi-disciplinary student support team.
• Collaborate with and provide advice to other student support services team members in respect to complex cases.
• Contribute to the professional development of other psychologist support service team members.
• Liaise with community service organisations, DFFH, hospitals, specialist programs and other professionals regarding the support needs for students.

Attributes

Join Student Support Services as a psychologist and make a meaningful impact on the lives of some of the most vulnerable students and diverse learners in our schools., You'll engage in a wide range of psychological interventions, including psychoeducation, assessment, critical incident response, and mental health support. Additionally, you'll play a crucial role in building the capacity of school staff to better meet the health, wellbeing, and inclusion needs of students, ensuring that every student receives the support they need to thrive. This is your chance to be part of a dynamic team committed to making a difference in education.

Your specialist expertise as a psychologist coupled with knowledge of student wellbeing issues and skills in providing consultation to a variety of stakeholders within the education community, will be highly regarded. Apply now, don’t miss out on this rewarding opportunity to be part of an inspiring community dedicated to empowering students to reach their full potential. 

Qualifications and Experience

• Ability to provide expert consultation to schools, healthcare providers and families on evidence-based, best practices for speech and language development and intervention. 
• Knowledge of student wellbeing issues, disability Inclusion, policies and experience working with schools will be highly regarded. 
• Demonstrated experience in the initiation, development and implementation of programs, procedures and policies that foster resilience in children and young people to support their educational needs. 
• Experience in emergency management response, desirable.
• Experience working in schools and with children and youth, desirable.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and school leadership team to ensure holistic care, supporting student learning and wellbeing.  
• Exceptional planning and organising skills, with an ability to be responsive, taking initiative and accountability for actions. 
• Ability to work flexibly, as Student Support Services is a front-line service requiring rapid response.

Mandatory requirements

• A graduate or post-graduate degree in Psychology or equivalent.
• Full registration as a Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioners Registration Agency (AHPRA).
• A valid Working with Children Check and full Drivers’ License is required for this position.

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description.  Applications should include a Cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria (no more than 2 pages) along with a Curriculum Vitae.

Although this position requires full registration as a Psychologist with AHPRA, if you are interested in potential provisional psychologist opportunities, please make contact with the SSS Branch Manager, at the details listed below.

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page 

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person. 

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au. 

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Cass L’Hotellier, Acting Branch Manager via 0409 972 326 or [email protected] using the subject line: Psychologist enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence. 

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g. large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.