School Counsellor - Upper Hunter Schools

Location NEWCASTLE WEST Catholic Schools Office

Vacancy Type: Temporary Part Time Hours/FTE 0.5 

Description: The Director of Schools invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced personnel for the position of School Counsellor. This is a part time maternity leave cover position which will be temporary for 3 terms, commencing in term 4 2019 and concluding at the end of term 2 2020.

There is flexibility in the number of days that can be applied for – from 1 day per week to 5 days per fortnight. This can be discussed further with Emma Merlino, Coordinator of Student Wellbeing. This position currently covers St Mary’s Primary School Scone & St Joseph’s High School Aberdeen.   Position Requirements The school counsellor will be responsible to the Head of Teaching and Learning Services and the Coordinator of Student Wellbeing at the Catholic Schools Office, Maitland Newcastle.

School Counsellors provide direct services to schools including educational and psychosocial assessments, psychological treatment and counselling, crisis support. School counsellors also provide advice and consultation to teachers, parents, guardians and other stakeholders. Finally, school counsellors support school policies and practices to improve student wellbeing within the community.

Applicants must have a 4 year degree in psychology, social work or counselling (intern psychologists are welcome to apply). 

Experience working within a school and/or with school-aged children is essential, as is a commitment to working within the Catholic ethos.   

Essential Criteria

• Minimum 4 year degree in psychology, social work or counselling. Psychologists must be registered with AHPRA
• Experience in assessment and counselling of primary and secondary aged students
• Understanding of, and support for, the ethos of Catholic Schools
• Ability to liaise with community agencies
• Ability to work collaboratively within schools 
• Excellent organisational, communication and IT skills, current drivers licence.
• Working With Children number must be recorded on your application  

Commencement: Starts 14/10/19 

Finishing Date: 3/7/20 

Conditions of Employment:

Salary will be as per the Catholic Schools Office Psychologists/Counsellors salary scale, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Applications Close:  Friday 16 August, 2019

Instructions: Forward your Curriculum Vitae together with a covering letter addressing selection criteria via email (preferred) as one pdf to the contact person.

Contact Name: Rosa Tomassetti (rosa.tomassetti@mn.catholic.edu.au )                                                   Telephone: 02 4979 1269 

Applications to:                                               

By email (preferred):

Rosa Tomassetti
rosa.tomassetti@mn.catholic.edu.au 

By post:

Staffing Officer
Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
PO Box 714
NEWCASTLE 2300 

Specific School Requirements/ Additional Info:

Applicants should be aware that school counsellors accrue paid leave throughout the year. 

Due to this position commencing in term 4 they will have accrued paid leave for some of the summer 6 week break and all of the Easter and July school holidays.  Please contact Emma Merlino if you have concerns around this. 

Letters of application addressing the essential criteria, together with current curriculum vitae and contact details for three referees, should be emailed as one PDF document (Ref 8516) to: talent@mn.catholic.edu.au 

Applications will be received up until 4pm on the closing date.

Preferred applicants will be required to complete the registration process for the Catholic Schools Office.