Navy Psychologists

General

Each appointment following initial training has its own set of duties. Your employment with the Navy would include advice on personnel selection, counselling for personnel, conducting management training and undertaking personnel research. Psychologists can expect to move into other areas of organisational psychology after gaining experience.

Selection and Entry

To be eligible for entry to the RNZN, applicants should either be a Registered Psychologist, eligible for registration or expect to complete this year the minimum qualifications for registration (BA Hons or equivalent).

Initial Training

You will join the RNZN with other Direct Entry Officers such as Lawyers, Software Engineers and Education Officers. You will undertake the five month Junior Officer Common Training course at the Royal New Zealand Naval College, HMNZS TAMAKI in Devonport. This training is directed towards providing the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes required A b Officer in the RNZN as well as developing an appropriate esprit de corps.

The first six weeks of training involves the Introductory Phase of the JOCT. During this time you will be required to live-in at the Officer Training School and weekend leave will be granted, wherever possible, on completion of normal training duties. After the introductory phase overnight and weekend leave will be granted, on completion of normal training duties.

You will be required to attend the TAMAKI Church Service on Sundays during this phase of training and undertake duties once every four days. Duties will decrease to approximately once every ten days after the introductory phase.

The emphasis of this phase is on joining the Navy environment and learning naval culture. It will involve instruction in physical fitness, parade drill, leadership skills and mess life. Your performance is assessed by tests, exercises and observation throughout JOCT.

The subjects taught on JOCT include:

- Service knowledge

- Wardroom living

- Leadership

- Security and discipline

- Naval histroy

- Parade training and ceremonial drill

- Fire and damage control

- Small arms safety and training

- Oral communication

- Service writing and administration

- Sea survival training

- First Aid

- Sea power

- Officer of the Day duties

- Sport and recreation

Duties

The Psychologists in the Royal New Zealand Navy are primarily responsible for advising on psychological and human resource matters involving officers and ratings. Although the duties of RNZN Psychologists fall primarily in the Industrial or Organisational fields, Psychologists from other specialisations will be considered. Psychologists usually have had training at the Honours level or higher, and are either registered when they join or become so as soon as possible after joining.

The areas of work are varied and include:

- assisting with the selection of people wishing to join the Navy, and with those seeking other positions within the Navy.

- training for supervisors and trainees on personnel matters such as interviewing skills, stress management, leadership, survival skills and other areas.

- conducting research in the personnel and organisational area, including the development of surveys.

- conducting employee counselling in non clinical areas such as poor performance in training, study techniques and vocational guidance.

All officers have a number of other duties required of their rank for which full training is given which include 'Officer of the Day' duties and ceremonial parades. As 'Officer of the Day', an officer assumes the responsibility for the running of a naval shore establishment out of normal working hours.

Promotion Pattern

On entry, you will be granted the rank of Sub Lieutenant but your salary will be calculated according to your qualifications and experience prior to entry. On successful completion of training, those eligible are promoted to Lieutenant.

Promotion to Lieutenant Commander normally occurs on a merit basis, with eligibility starting after attaining eight years seniority as a Lieutenant and gaining passes in four examinations:

- Administration

- International Affairs

- Higher Defence Organisation

These examinations can be undertaken at any time after promotion to Lieutenant.

Promotion to Commander and above is similarly on merit selection; normally you would be considered for promotion after attaining a minimum of five years seniority as a Lieutenant Commander.

For more in depth information on duties contact:

Senior Psychologist (Navy)
Phone: 0-9-445-5546

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This page last updated 17/01/2001, by Web Services New Zealand.