Mental Health Advisor/Psychologist, Executive Level 1, Chief Operating Officer Group

About the team
The Corporate and Digital Division supports the work of the department through the delivery of corporate and business functions spanning finance, human resources, IT, procurement, legal, communications, property management and grants management. Together, teams in the Division provide expertise to lead and shape policy development, business improvement and program delivery to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of corporate outcomes for the Department.

Within the Corporate and Digital Division, People Branch supports the department to attract, retain, develop and ensure the wellbeing of its people.

The Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) & Case Management team is responsible for policies, strategies and projects designed to protect and maintain the health and wellbeing of department staff. The team deliver WHS strategy and advice to manage operational hazards, including psychosocial hazards, across the department. The team provide rehabilitation services to managers and employees for individuals who have experienced injury or illness.

The team support the department to achieve compliance with health and safety related legislation, policies, and guidance established by regulatory bodies, and the department’s WHS and psychosocial programs align with the Whole of Government reforms. The team provides advice on managing underperformance by working with managers and staff on strategies to improve performance.

Our ideal candidate
The key areas of knowledge, skill and ability for this position are:

• specialist psychological knowledge of best practice standards relating to employee wellbeing, conflict resolution, mental health initiatives and strategies, and leadership development.
• demonstrated ability to mentor and develop others to build high functioning teams and psychological safety within the department.
• the ability to develop and manage a range of different psychological projects and initiatives simultaneously in line with best practice clinical evidence.
• the ability to demonstrate professionalism, impartially, and integrity in dealing with others and managing sensitive information. This includes maintaining professional boundaries and being able to advocate for the scope of the role.
• strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to represent a position with clarity and confidence.

About the Role
The role is responsible for providing advice and support to the department’s strategic approach, policy and programs to psychosocial WHS and wellbeing. The occupant will analyse data, and work with key stakeholders to identify psychosocial risks in the department and implement initiatives to mitigate risks and improve the psychosocial safety for employees.

Where psychosocial health and safety issues arise, the occupant will work with stakeholders in a collaborative manner to lead the department’s response to addressing psychosocial risks and appropriately support and mentor business areas to address mental health needs.

The role will support work areas during times of change, staff conflict, and following critical workplace incidents. They will also work with managers and injury management advisors on complex mental health cases to ensure best practice approaches are implemented for injured and ill employees.

The psychologist will work closely with managers and People Branch to analyse the training and development needs in the department and provide input into the design, delivery and analysis of training programs. The occupant will also provide advice and support on the performance and talent management framework to ensure the department can identify, engage, motivate and improve performance in staff, and emerging top performers and leaders are identified, developed and retained.

The role will not be required to provide clinical treatment to employees or direct client services. The suitable applicant will have a well-developed ability to work independently, to balance ethical standards and maintain professional boundaries within the role.

All registered psychologists will be considered but clinical and organisational endorsements are desirable. Part time and flexible work arrangements will be considered.

The key duties will include:

• Develop and lead the implementation of the department’s psychological wellbeing strategies and deliver psychological safety-related projects to maintain a psychologically safe culture within the department.
• Lead a team, managing allocated resources, setting work area priorities, managing workflows, developing strategies and evaluating business outcomes.
• Build and sustain relationships with internal and external stakeholders including with Senior Executives and provide advice and coaching to resolve psychological risks and emerging issues in the workplace.
• Provide advice, support and coaching to managers in relation to how to lead, engage, motivate and improve the performance of individuals and teams.
• Provide input into the design and evaluation of skills and behavioural training programs for individuals, teams and the department.
• Provide advice on referral pathways for staff members who require external support and treatment.
• Provide advice and mentor managers and your WHS and Case Management colleagues in respect of critical incident debrief, complex injury management and rehabilitation, underperformance, conflict resolution, disciplinary and other HR matters.
• Research and analyse current psychological and other relevant literature and incorporate into the department’s WHS Management System, strategies reports and briefing papers to facilitate compliance with evidenced-based best practice.

Successful applicants must hold full registration as a psychologist with AHPRA.

Experience working in government and endorsement in clinical and organisational psychology desirable but not essential.

Flexible work arrangements will be considered, such as part time and condensed working week.

For further information the role, including eligibility and how to apply, please visit our current vacancies page.

Positions close on Sunday 10 October 2021 at 11:55pm (AEST).