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About the role
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Specialisations
Education & Support roles | Healthcare | Officers & Management
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Entry type
Officer entry
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Under training
$71,113
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Location
Whenuapai, Ohakea, Woodbourne
As a Military Psychologist, you’ll be employed as a Commissioned Military Officer. You will be involved in a broad range of organisational and military psychology activities. These range from conducting recruitment and selection activities, performance orientated coaching, and supporting operational deployments, humanitarian relief, and peacekeeping activities.
Applicants must have a Master’s Degree in Psychology, preferably with at least one paper in Industrial and Organisational Psychology. A minimum of a B- average in the last two years of full time psychology study is required.
If already registered as a psychologist, you will be introduced to the role through a series of projects relevant to the Defence Force. If unregistered, the Directorate of Psychology will finance and supervise you through your journey to become an NZ-registered psychologist.
Applications
This role may not be recruited for 6-12 months but we'd encourage you to apply early. You can check in-demand trades for our next intakes
Requirements
Basics
- Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
- Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.
- Pass an Officer Selection Board.
Education
- Hold a Master’s Degree in Psychology or be in your final year of study, preferably with at least one paper in Industrial and Organisational Psychology.
- A minimum of a B average in the last two years of full-time psychology study is required.
Scholarship Entry
The Air Force offer undergraduate scholarships for candidates who demonstrate the qualities required to become a Psychologist.
The scholarships are:
- RNZAF Undergraduate Scheme: Study at an approved university institution of your choice while the Air Force covers your fees and a living allowance on a ‘year for a year’ return of service basis.
- Graduate Incentive Scheme: Study at the university of your choice, and on completion of your degree, you will be paid an increasing incentive over the next four years with the monetary value based on the number of full time study years successfully completed.
Fitness & Medical
- You must be medically fit for service.
- You must meet the minimum entry fitness standards.
Citizenship
There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required CV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.
Period of Service
If you join our Supervision to Registration Programme to become a registered psychologist, you’ll be contractually obliged to spend another 12 months in the Air Force upon registration.
If you are already registered, there is no contractual obligation to stay for any length of time in the Air Force.
Please contact our 0800 number or talk to your Candidate Experience Facilitator for more information.
How our Psychologists help enhance the performance of individuals and teams across the NZDF.
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Job on base
Your first post as a base psychologist is likely to involve providing support and advice to Air Force commanders on psychological and organisational human resource matters. This involves adopting a consulting-like approach and developing base-wide networks in order to work alongside a wide range of people. Your work will vary; you could be asked to conduct short term coaching, design and deliver training and education on psychology related topics, as well as research and projects tasked by the Head of Air Force Psychology. Subsequent postings and projects may involve more aviation and organisational research. You will also combine your professional career with the responsibilities of being an RNZAF officer, which includes secondary base duties and being involved in general base life.
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Job on deployment
Another significant area of work involves support to operations. As an RNZAF Psychologist you are part of a wider team of Defence Force psychologists. All Defence Force psychologists are involved in providing education and support to individuals and formations heading overseas on deployments, as well as providing support and screening for those returning from missions. From time to time this work occurs outside NZ; so you maybe called upon to serve overseas temporarily.
Career progression and training
01Basic Training
Basic Training
RNZAF Officer Commissioning Course (ROC)
(26 weeks) Location: RNZAF Base Woodbourne
All individuals selected to become Commissioned Officers in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) are required to complete this course. It is designed to prepare students with the knowledge and experience necessary for commissioned service and the beginning of a career in leadership. This course will cover various subjects including:
- RNZAF Customs and Protocol
- Drill and Parades
- Military Law
- Military Field Skills and Weapons Training
- Defence and Strategic Studies
- Personnel Administration
- Communication Skills
- Command, Leadership and Management
- First Aid
02Job Training
Job Training
After successful completion of your RNZAF Officer Commissioning Course (if you are not already a registered psychologist), you’ll enter into registration to become a psychologist. Through this 12 month period under supervision of a military registered psychologist, you will develop your psychological skills and knowledge through the completion of six projects and applied learning.
Upon successful completion of these requirements and a written and oral examination, you will be registered in the ‘general’ scope of practice. You will also be provided with additional training to meet the demands of the role, such as training relating to operational debriefs, critical incidents and aviation psychology. Further professional training is also encouraged and you’ll be able to continue studies voluntarily or through sponsorship, and attend professional conferences such as the New Zealand Psychological Society Conference and/or international conferences.
As a military officer, you will be expected to maintain your level of fitness as well as a core set of military skills and knowledge.
03Ongoing Training
Ongoing Training
COMMAND TRAINING
As well as the courses listed above, you will be required to complete two leadership, command and management courses. These courses last up to two weeks and are held at RNZAF Base Woodbourne. All RNZAF officers are required to complete these courses as well as further courses covering service writing, staff skills and professional military education before being eligible for promotion beyond Flight Lieutenant.
COMMAND AND STAFF COURSES
The New Zealand Defence Force Command and Staff College at Trentham Military Camp (Wellington) conducts two courses: a residential eight week Joint Junior Staff Course and a seven month Joint Senior Staff course. Both courses comprise a mixture of visiting lecturers, tutored discussion groups, visits and individual study to give you the skills you need for high-ranking appointments. If you’re a successful graduate of the Staff Course, you’ll qualify for a Postgraduate Diploma of Arts. You can then choose to complete a further four papers to gain a Master of Philosophy.
04Career Progression
Career Progression
Post registration, your career will initially involve one to two postings as a regional psychologist to one of the RNZAF’s three main bases. Further opportunities exist within the tri-service environment that allow you to specialise in areas such as selection, training, organisational development and support to operations. Opportunities for promotion and additional advancement exist in the form of senior psychology posts.
Benefits & allowances
Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.
In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:
- Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
- Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
- Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
- Opportunities to travel
- Free and subsidised medical and dental care
- Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
- Free and subsidised insurance cover
- Help to buy a home and save for retirement
Salary & benefits
Careers in the Air Force are well-rewarded, as well as being diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, you will see your salary rise accordingly.
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Under training
$71,113
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Future potential earnings
$140,784
Am I fit enough?
If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.
Medical & Fitness
The application process
Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.
Application process
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