Chief Psychologist

Department: Interventions & Innovation

Department/Agency: Department of Communities and Justice

Location: Parramatta, NSW, AU, 2150

Req ID: 83811

Chief Psychologist

Location: Parramatta/Hybrid

Employment type: Temporary full-time role for 11 months

Salary: $162,379.00 pa, plus superannuation and leave loading

The DCJ CVE Engagement and Support Unit is a specialised multi-disciplinary team within the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) focussing on prevention and early intervention of violent extremist behaviour. The unit delivers three programs, Integration Support Program, Engagement and Support Program and the Step Together Helpline. ESU also contributes to national best practice in CVE interventions and works closely with both Commonwealth and NSW agencies.

The aim of the ESU is to reduce the risk of violent extremism by providing early intervention and support to address social, psychological, or behavioural issues before they escalate to violent action. Our primary focus is on diversion in the first instance and disengagement through voluntary service provision within a non-mandated space. Our multidisciplinary programs work directly with clients along with their families and support networks, including collaboration with stakeholders. We receive referrals from a wide variety of sources, including concerned public / parents, non-government organisations and government and security agencies. Our services are mobile teams, working with clients across NSW.

The position is currently available on a temporary basis, with the potential for ongoing opportunities in the future.

Your role

This is a rare opportunity to shape psychological practice within an evolving area of practice.

As Chief Psychologist, you will provide strategic, clinical and professional leadership for psychological services across the Engagement and Support Unit Programs. In this newly formed role, you will set the practice framework for psychology within ESU, develop and implement effective evidence-based supervision practices within a multidisciplinary team, and provide expert advice on complex matters.

What you’ll do

As part of the CVE Engagement Support Unit, you will be required to:

• Manage and supervise the provision of direct psychological services within the Engagement and Support Unit.
• Develop policy, procedures and strategic direction relating to psychology services within integrated multidisciplinary teams at the Engagement and Support Unit, including collaboration on research and evaluation projects that enhance evidence-based practice.
• Lead the identification, evaluation and implementation of fit for purpose, evidence based psychological assessment tools and multi-disciplinary assessment tools relevant to countering violent extremism and disengagement practice, ensuring tools remain current, valid and responsive to an evolving evidence base.
• Be accountable for the advancement, implementation and ongoing evolution of evidence based intervention practice frameworks across ESU, encompassing both psychology led and multidisciplinary interventions that are flexible and responsive to a rapidly developing practice base.
• Establish and oversee clinical supervision, training and development frameworks for multidisciplinary teams within the Engagement and Support unit.
• Provide direct psychological service delivery where appropriate in the most complex cases.
• Provide high level consultation to the ESU leadership team and primary stakeholders regarding psychology services and related services such as mental health, risk mitigation, and behavioural management within area of responsibility.
• Monitor the quality of psychological services and reports, ensuring appropriate psychological documentation standards in case files are maintained across ESU programs.
• Provide management with reports on the psychology and related services provided, analyse latest research, and coordinate data collection for research purposes in relevant areas.
• Represent the Department externally in matters relating to psychology and related services.

What we’re looking for

Essential requirements

• Current full registration as a psychologist, with the Psychology Board of Australia, and is eligible to be a Board-approved supervisor.
• Post-graduate degree at the masters level or higher in a relevant specialist area including but not limited to clinical psychology, forensic psychology, counselling psychology or neuropsychology. The post graduate degree must include components of professional training and supervised experience and must be of at least 2 years full time duration or its equivalent; or
• Education, training and experience deemed by the Department to be equivalent (for example as signified by membership of a relevant APS College such as Clinical Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology, Counselling Psychology, Forensic Psychology).
• Must be an Australian Citizen and able to obtain National Security Clearance within 6 months
• Current NSW driver’s licence and willingness to travel throughout NSW.

We want you to be successful in your new role! You will have:

• Extensive post registration experience providing and leading psychological services in complex environments.
• Proven superior skills and extensive experience in psychological assessment and interventions, including experience in confidently adapting skills to new areas of practice.
• Significant knowledge and experience in working with young people and adults in both forensic and clinical settings.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of a psychologists ethical and legal obligations
• Demonstrated experience in professional supervision and senior clinical leadership
• Exceptional communication skills demonstrated through extensive experience in working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders, including experience in providing consultation services
• Demonstrated ability to operate with high autonomy, judgement and integrity in sensitive and high-risk contexts.

Download the role description.

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To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now’ button.

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply – you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career

• Flexible, autonomous work environment

• Competitive pay and conditions

• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities

• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).

Applications close

Sunday, 14 June 2026 at 11:59 pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Rachel Terry on 0461 161 151 or at ***email_hidden***

If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please call Anjy Fayad on 02 9765 3042 or via [email protected]

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

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