School Counsellor

Information for applicants

Applications must be limited to a one-page summary sheet and detailed resume-. 

The NTPS values diversity and aims for a workforce that represents the community. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies. For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go to the OCPE website.

Under the agency’s Special Measures Recruitment Plan, eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) applicants will be granted priority consideration for this vacancy. For more information on Special Measures, go to the OCPE website.

Primary objective

Provide services that improve the safety and wellbeing of students across the Northern Territory by supporting them to Engage, Grow and Achieve. This includes supporting educators and families to enhance their skills, knowledge and attitudes to ensure all students access quality, inclusive education in line with the departments School Counselling Action Plan 2019 – 2023.

Context statement

Early Years and Education Services (EYES) provides policy development advice and low incidence support across the Northern Territory to Government and non-Government schools, as well as strategically implementing a range of the Australian and NT Government early childhood education and care initiatives to improve the quality and integration of early childhood services. Staff in Early Years and Education Services liaise with and provide advice to the Minister, Department of Education senior executive, regional personnel and school principals on issues of policy, procedure and performance as it relates to community; teaching, learning and assessment, early childhood education and care; vocational education and training; and cross agency and intergovernmental relations.

Key duties and responsibilities

1. Provide professional expertise, evidence based knowledge and direction to strengthen the capacity of schools and families to improve student wellbeing, including the delivery of child protection education and mandatory reporting training.

2. Contribute to the provision of critical incident responses across NT Government schools.

3. Contribute to the development and implementation of department and school policies and programs to improve the school counselling service and student wellbeing at a whole of school level.

4. Develop and maintain comprehensive professional networks within the department, across government and with other sectors to foster an integrated approach to student wellbeing.

5. Provide preventative and therapeutic interventions to students through programs, group work or short term individual counselling/casework.

6. Use research and data to inform continuous improvement processes, planning and reporting of the school counselling service.

Selection criteria

Essential

1. Demonstrated experience in providing effective preventative, targeted intervention and short term individual counselling/casework services to students and families from diverse backgrounds.

2. Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing whole of system approaches to strengthen the capacity of school staff and families to improve student wellbeing.

3. Significant knowledge and understanding of legislation and policy frameworks relevant to statutory welfare practice and related issues.

4. Demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders including families and students from diverse cultures.

5. A degree in social Work or psychology which provides eligibility for; Membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) or registration as a provisional psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

Desirable

1. Post graduate qualification or other formal training in a discipline relevant to child and family welfare practice and supervision.

Further information

A Working with Children Notice (Ochre Card) and current NT Driver License, or the ability to obtain, are required in this position.

This is corporate based position servicing numerous schools which may include remote areas and applicant must be willing to travel to remote areas by car and/or light aircraft with overnight stays.

Approved: March 2020

Amanda Hubber, General Manager Student Wellbeing and Inclusion