School Psychologist

The School of Isolated and Distance Education (SIDE) are seeking to establish a pool of School Psychologists for permanent and fixed term, full-time and part-time vacancies which may arise during the 2025 school year and up to the end of Term 3, 2026. Appointments may be offered at any time for vacancies that commence during this period. Applicants interested in part time work are encouraged to apply.

SIDE is a cutting-edge online school that provides a high level of education to children who need additional flexibility and more targeted approaches to learning. We play a critical role within the Western Australian education system, supporting system needs and priorities.

Our vision is to enhance and expand learning opportunities for Western Australian students, regardless of their circumstances, through high quality, inclusive and culturally responsive educational programs in a blended learning environment, guided by our values of Connection, Courage, Equity, Creativity and Compassion.

As a Psychologist with SIDE, you will have the opportunity to reach out and make a difference to students throughout Western Australia and around the world.

SIDE is a recognised leader in distance education in Australia and models best practice in the use of both synchronous (Webex) and asynchronous (Moodle) platforms of instruction. Our practice is both contemporary and constantly evolving, making SIDE an exciting and dynamic place to work.

SIDE has a main campus in Leederville and facilities at Canning College, Clarkson Community High School and Northlake Senior Campus. You may be required to work at anyone of these or future venues.

Find out more about our school by visiting side.wa.edu.au or Schools Online.

The Role

The School of Isolated and Distance Education (SIDE) is seeking culturally responsive and aware, enthusiastic, innovative and fully registered School Psychologists.

The School Psychologist plays a critical role in SIDE’s future direction. They consult with school leaders and project staff to develop and drive strategy for student and staff well-being, risk management, psychosocial safety and targeted program support.

The School Psychologist will support a diverse student body across Regional and Remote areas through consultation with Partner School and Lead School Psychologists. SIDE provides education pathways for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across Western Australia and so the successful applicant will need to be culturally responsive in their practice. Thus, you need to be available for statewide travel should the need arise.

The School Psychologist provides consultation and case-management support for SIDE’s Referral Program (the Program). The Program supports students with highly complex mental and physical health issues and special circumstance enrolments referred by Regional, Statewide and Central Office executives. The School Psychologist will develop innovative, whole school, staff and student well-being initiatives, using a data driven, evidence-based approaches to interventions, integrating refined systems and processes.

The School Psychologist will work in a multi-disciplinary team comprising Student Services Coordinators (Youth Workers), Regional Coordinators (Teachers) and Senior Leaders. They will consult on student enrolment suitability and this complex role features case formulation and risk management planning.

The School Psychologist will provide direct support for students and families who have special circumstances that impact on school attendance/engagement. They will work one on one with students and their families, from K-12, but the majority of enrolments are in secondary years of schooling. In lower school, our vibrant team liaise closely with our partner schools to enable a smooth transition back to school or an alternative program once students are able. In Senior School, you will work closely with students in their Year 11 and 12 educational programs and assist with their mental/emotional welfare.

You will possess well developed written and interpersonal communication skills and engage with interagency and cross sectoral partners to achieve desired outcomes. The complex role features case formulation and working with an interesting and diverse multicultural clientele.

Learn more about how we support school psychologists on our website: Education WA - School Psychologists.

Professional Benefits

Working for the Department of Education you will enjoy a range of benefits including competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, training and career development opportunities and attractive leave provisions. Find out more about the benefits by visiting professional and personal benefits.

Want to know more?

Full details of the role, selection criteria and eligibility requirements are listed in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Nigel Wakefield, Deputy Principal, on 0407 981 958 or emailing nigel.wakefield@education.wa.edu.au.

During the school holiday period, please contact Nigel Wakefield on 0407 981 958.

Equity and Diversity

We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our schools and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people of diverse sexualities and genders, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Explore our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025 for more details.

Eligibility

To work with us, you must:

• hold or be eligible for provisional or general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia
• be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment.
• obtain a valid Working With Children Check before you start; and
• consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a current Screening Clearance Number issued by the Department of Education’s Screening Unit before you start.

Information about registration with the Psychology Board of Australia can be obtained by calling 1300 419 495 or by visiting www.psychologyboard.gov.au.

More information on employment eligibility can be found here and in the attached Job Description Form (JDF) located at the bottom of this advertisement.

Application Instructions

Apply online in two easy steps:

Step 1: Select Apply for Job

Complete the online application form, including details of two (2) work related referees, preferably one being your current line manager.

Step 2: Attach your documents

Your application should include:

• A CV of up to four (4) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position.
• A four (4) page statement addressing the following selection criteria as outlined in the attached JDF:
  • Demonstrated ability to implement school psychology services and programs in an educational environment to maximise student learning outcomes.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the implementation and evaluation of a variety of psychological approaches appropriate for individual, group and system-level intervention.
  • Demonstrated high level written and oral communication skills, demonstrating the capacity to produce correspondence, reports and case notes, and interview and training (facilitation) skills.
  • Demonstrated highly developed interpersonal skills, which demonstrate an ability to function in a self-directed way, and as a member of an interdisciplinary team, working with a range of clients across the lifespan, Department personnel and inter-agency partners across a variety of contexts.
  • Demonstrated ability to apply analytical and conceptual skills to issues identification, risk assessment and analysis, intervention and evaluation.

It is recommended you have your attachments ready before selecting Apply for Job.

Your application must be received before the closing date and time. Late applications will not be accepted.

For technical support submitting your application, you can call the Department of Education’s Recruitment team on (08) 9264 4127 for assistance.

Advertised Vacancy Number: DOE996460

The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Monday, 27 October, 2025