Job Description
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
- Make a real difference in the lives of offenders, their whānau and the community.
- Be part of a close-knit, diverse and innovative team of passionate people.
- Become a part of a world-leading treatment unit for men with serious offending where you can develop and share your expertise as a treatment provider.
Mō te tūnga | About the role
Karaka Special Treatment Unit (STU) is a dedicated "community of change" at Waikeria Prison, providing a structured therapeutic environment to support the rehabilitation of people with a history of high-risk and violent offending. The STU delivers evidence-based psychological programmes to reduce reoffending to a maximum of 44 men annually.
As a psychologist at Karaka STU, you play a key role in building meaningful therapeutic relationships with the men in our care, many of whom have faced significant challenges. You will work closely with colleagues to maintain a supportive environment where genuine change can occur.
Your work will involve recruiting, assessing, and developing individualised treatment plans, report writing, and group work. You will also contribute to a therapeutic community kaupapa, ensuring a holistic approach to rehabilitation. Throughout this time, you will have the ability to design and deliver complementary individual sessions as needed.
In this critical position, you are at the heart of this transformative journey. You will receive regular clinical and cultural supervision to ensure your success and continuous professional development.
Click here to learn more about being a psychologist at Ara Poutama Aotearoa.
He kōrero mōu | About you
Join Karaka STU and work alongside a dedicated team to make a genuine impact. We are looking for someone with a passion for creating positive change, strong relational skills, and adaptability. In this role, you will navigate complex environments, collaborate closely with custodial staff, and contribute directly to positive transformations. Your resilience and creativity will be key as you balance multiple perspectives and engage in meaningful work. This is a chance to be proactive and reflective, combining your expertise with the satisfaction of making a real difference in the lives of those we serve.
Utu ā-tau | Salary
The salary range for the role is $83,286 - $133,370. Frontline Psychologists also have the ability to work towards additional allowances and allocated professional development funding. We may also offer flexible and/or part-time options for working hours. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.
In addition to your salary, you will receive a $2,000 annual professional development allowance and become eligible for five weeks of annual leave after one year of service, increasing to six weeks after four years of continuous service.
Ko wai mātou | About us
Ara Poutama Aotearoa is a name that has been gifted to us and is our commitment to improving the oranga and safety of the people, whānau, and that of the communities we serve across the motu.
As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship) and whānau (relationships) to shape how we work and deliver the outcomes in our strategy - Hōkai Rangi.
It is an exciting time to join us, and we continue to seek out talented individuals who are committed to an inclusive, vibrant workplace. We recognise and celebrate the uniqueness of individuals, and that of the collective talent in our whānau.
Tono ināianei | Apply Now
If you have any questions please contact: Tom.Nicholas@corrections.govt.nz
To view the job description, click 'apply' and you will be taken through to our careers site, where you can view this.
To apply, please submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience. Alignment to our kaupapa is critical to our success - we ask that you provide examples which reflect and demonstrate our organisation values.
Applications close on: Sunday 20th April
All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency. Applications received via email will not be considered.
If you want to find out more about a career with us, visit careers.corrections.govt.nz or email our team at careers@corrections.govt.nz.