Psychologist - Auckland Prison OCRU/PERU

About this role

• Work with some of New Zealand's most complex individuals
• Remote-based 0.5 FTE permanent and secondment opportunities
• Help deliver a dedicated psychology service for OCRU and PERU

Mō te tūnga | About the role

The Organised Crime Reduction Unit (OCRU) is a specialist unit being established to manage individuals who present the highest organised crime risk across the prison network. We are recruiting four Psychologists (0.5 FTE each) to form a dedicated psychology team supporting OCRU and the Prisoners of Extreme Risk Unit (PERU) at Auckland Prison. The team will report to a dedicated Manager Psychological Services and work closely with operational and clinical staff across both environments. Remote-based positions are available, offering the opportunity to contribute to a nationally significant service while working flexibly. While Auckland-based candidates are welcome, applicants may be located elsewhere in New Zealand. Some travel may be required by agreement with the Manager Psychological Services. We can offer both permanent and 6–12-month secondment opportunities.

OCRU and PERU manage some of the most complex and high-risk individuals in our care. As a Psychologist, you will provide specialist psychological expertise to support prisoner management, wellbeing, rehabilitation and public safety outcomes. Your work may include psychological assessment, individual intervention, consultation, reflective practice, staff training, clinical supervision, and contributing to service development and governance. Working alongside operational and clinical staff, you will help inform decision-making, support effective risk management, and contribute to positive outcomes for people in our care. Support will be provided to ensure professional supervision requirements are met.

This role offers exposure to highly complex clinical work, opportunities to broaden your specialist practice, and the chance to help shape how psychology services support these environments.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

To be successful in this role, you'll:

• Hold registration with the New Zealand Psychologists Board and a current Annual Practising Certificate.
• Bring experience working in correctional, forensic, or other complex risk-focused environments.
• Demonstrate strong capability in psychological assessment, formulation and risk management.
• Provide trusted psychological advice that supports decision-making and service delivery.
• Have experience consulting with, influencing and supporting operational and clinical stakeholders.
• Exercise sound judgement when working with complex individuals and competing priorities.

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 

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, 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.

Tono ināianei | Apply Now

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 to join OCRU, highlighting relevant skills and experience applicable to the role.

Applicants seeking a secondment opportunity should discuss their potential release and secondment duration with their manager prior to submitting an application.

Applications close on: Tuesday 3rd November

If you have any questions or want to learn more about this opportunity, contact Tom.Nicholas@corrections.govt.nz.