RNZAF Psychologists

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) employs a small team of psychologists to perform a range of specialist personnel tasks. Psychologists are enlisted into the RNZAF as commissioned officers in the Administrative Branch. They work in either a personnel and psychological research cell at Air Command Headquarters, RNZAF Base Auckland, or in one of the three base posts at either Auckland, Ohakea (near Palmerston North) or Woodbourne (near Blenheim). Collectively, the psychologists make up the RNZAF Psychology Service which is professionally controlled by the Senior RNZAF Psychologist at Air Command Headquarters.

Duties

RNZAF Psychologists perform a range of duties some of which are:

1.	Psychological Services: a. Recruitment: the provision of advice to recruiting policy planners, training of recruiting staff, setting of RNZAF trade selection criteria, and supply of aptitude tests. b. Selection: assisting with selection boards (assessment centers), interpretation of ability, aptitude and personality tests, preparation of assessment reports, and the training of selection board staff. c. Counseling: the provision of personal and performance counseling, and critical incident stress management. d. Trade Change Assessments: assessing the abilities, aptitudes and motivation of service personnel changing trades.
2.	Training: Training of service personnel in specific skills such as interviewing and personnel assessment techniques. Lecturing to service courses on topics as diverse as stress, aviation psychology and suicide. Providing advice on training validation.
3.	Personnel Management: a. Providing advice to RNZAF Commanders on the management of their personnel. b. Conducting job analyses, interviews and administering questionnaires to determine the causes of work performance problems.
4.	Research: The research in a variety of areas including: a. Compilation of selection and training data for use in validation studies. b. Validation of selection systems and aptitude tests. c. Development of selection measures. d. Morale and attitude surveys. e. Exit Surveys. f. Human factor and ergonomic studies. g. Provision of advice on statistical procedures, questionnaire design and analysis, and the application of statistical computer software package to other functions requiring assistance.

Secondary Duties of a Commissioned Officer in the RNZAF

As a commissioned officer you may be required to undertake various supernumerary appointments. Such appointments develop responsibility and leadership qualities in junior officers. Some examples of these supernumerary appointments are: Officer in Charge of Barracks; Officer in Charge of Sports/Hobbies Clubs (e.g. netball, tennis, diving, rugby); Officers Mess Committee Appointments (e.g. Mess Secretary, Property Officer, Bar Officer or Entertainment Officer).

Professional Eligibility Requirements for Enlistment

The Psychologists Act 1981 prescribes that to be employed as a psychologist in a Government Department (and that includes the RNZAF), a person must be a registered psychologist. Whilst the RNZAF prefers to enlist registered psychologists, it may, like other Government Departments, also enlist people as assistant psychologists who are unregistered but possess the minimum academic qualifications for registration. The RNZAF will then provide the required supervision for registration.

The minimum academic requirement for enlistment is a Masters degree in psychology. If unregistered, the supervision period for registration is one year which incurs a one year return of service. Ideally candidates should have an industrial/organizational psychology background.

Other Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must also be:

1. Medically fit to RNZAF standards, and

2. Prepared to move locations every 18 months to two years.

Selection Procedures

Interested psychologists should initially contact one of the RNZAF recruiting centers at either Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch, or Dunedin.

After an initial assessment by a recruiting officer, suitable applicants will be invited to attend a four day Officer Selection Board at Auckland. Travel and accommodation is at RNZAF expense. The Selection Boards are usually convened during March and August.

Engagement

Appointments as psychologists in the RNZAF are made on the recommendation of, and subject to conditions approved by Air Staff in Wellington. Usually officers are appointed for an initial 'fixed term' period of five years, but this may later be either extended or an officer may be offered a 'standard engagement'. This means that the officer is offered 12 years service with the RNZAF. Service may be terminated at any time, provided the prescribed period of notice is given and the return of service obligation is fulfilled.

Training

Before and during their service careers, RNZAF psychologists must demonstrate that they can fulfill their duties as commissioned officers. To assist them with this there are several training requirements:

1. Service Training: On entry, all officers are required to pass two residential training courses. The first is called Initial Basic Military training (IBMT). It is 6 weeks in duration and is conducted at RNZAF Base Woodbourne near Blenheim. Immediately after this course, officer cadets complete the 13 week long Initial Officer Training Course (IOTC). Both courses acquaint officer cadets with Service customs, procedures and duties. The courses are demanding with cadets required to achieve high standards and to work long hours. While on the IOTC your rank will be Officer Cadet (ground) and on graduation you will be promoted to a rank depending on your qualifications and experience.

2. Officer and Academic Training: Officers are encouraged to improve their general and Service knowledge. To this end, courses at the Command and Staff College at RNZAF Base Auckland and Command Training School RNZAF Base Woodbourne, are available. The Staff College courses are designed to train selected officers to fill the more senior posts in the RNZAF.

3. Professional Training: Further professional training is also encouraged. A small allocation of time during working hours is available to officers wishing to attend lectures for approved part-time courses of study at University and other tertiary institutions. Officers are also sponsored to attend professional conferences like the NZ Psychological Society Conference.

Advancement and Promotion of Psychologists

Advancement and promotion up to and including Flight Lieutenant rank is on a time basis. Officers who join at Pilot Officer or Flying Officer rank must complete a Junior Officer Executive Course (JOEC) before promotion to Flight Lieutenant.

Once selected you will be enlisted at a rank which will depend on your qualifications and experience.

Salaries

Initial salaries depend on your registration status and work experience but start from around $30,000.

For Further Information

Those wanting further information should contact their local RNZAF recruiting officer:

0800 AIRFORCE

or the

Senior RNZAF Psychologist
Air Command Headquarters
RNZAF Base Auckland
Private Bag
WHENUAPAI

Telephone: (09) 417 7000 Ext 7750

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence and will place the applicant under no obligation.

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