Psychologist I/Ii-Correctional Health Services (Open & Promotional)

San Mateo County Health is seeking well-qualified licensed individuals for the position of Psychologist I/II-Correctional Health Services to provide professional psychodiagnostic, psychotherapeutic, consultant, court reports, conservatorship evaluations, training, and research work in a comprehensive correctional behavioral health program; and may serve as a team leader within regional or program sub-units with a high degree of skill and independence.

There is currently one regular vacancy in Correctional Health Services (CHS) that works in both the Maguire Correctional Facility & Maple Street Correctional Center, both located in Redwood City.

Primary responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in planning for care and direction of inmate/patients.
• Administer psychological tests or observational procedures, interpret results, and make diagnoses.
• Evaluate for conservatorship, prepare psychological evaluation reports for the courts, and provide court testimony as needed.
• Collaborate with the Sheriff's Office, Courts, Probation Department, the County hospital and other staff from Correctional Health Services to coordinate and improve the delivery of mental health and chemical dependency services.
• Provide training on selected topics for medical, custody staff, and (licensed and unlicensed) mental health staff.
• Carry out various treatment work such as individual and group psychotherapy, crisis intervention and behavior modification.
• Provide psychological consultation to students, custody, medical & other mental health staff, as well as personnel of other community agencies.
• Provide brief case management services and discharge planning Understand and report unusual occurrences to supervisor.
• Understand and comply with current Jail and Correctional Health Policy and Procedures.

• Experienced providing psychological services for an adult inmate population.
• Experienced in psychological assessment.
• Experienced in developing and approving behavior management plans.
• Able to integrate culturally relevant aspects of clinical work into the treatment of patients.
• Able to develop and run psychotherapy/psycho educational groups.
• An effective member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Experienced working in a locked correctional facility.
• Able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Qualifications

Security Clearance: This position requires that the applicant obtain and maintain a security clearance as a condition of employment.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, methods, techniques, material, devices used and current developments in the field of specialization.
• Standard methods, techniques, materials and devices used in either clinical psychology, community, developmental psychology and psychological research.
• Psychotherapeutic factors relevant to emotional, behavioral, learning, social interaction or social systems problems.
• Techniques of mental health consultation, psychological research and training.
• Various psychological tests available.
• Standard methods of test evaluation and test results interpretations.
• Approved techniques of therapeutic counseling.

• Identify the relevant factors related to emotional, behavioral, learning, social interaction or social systems problems and to select and apply appropriate remedial or consultation techniques and procedures.
• Analyze, interpret and apply the principles, methods, techniques, material and devices used in clinical, child, adult, forensic or developmental psychology depending upon the option.
• Identify the relevant factors related to emotional, behavioral, learning, social interaction or social systems problems.
• Select and apply appropriate remedial or clinical techniques and procedures.
• Diagnosis and treatment of emotional, learning and social interaction problems.
• Consider applicability of innovative treatment or consultation procedures to work problems and experiment with and evaluate the applicability of innovative treatment or consultation procedures to work problems.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action.
• Maintain records and prepare reports.
• Supervise the work of trainees and junior staff members.
• Establish and maintain objectives and cooperative relationships with clients, other professionals and the public.
• Speak and write effectively.

• Psychologist I: Application for a waiver in lieu of license to the State Department of Mental Health for Psychology. An individual hired in this classification must become licensed within six years from the date of employment.
• Psychologist II: California license in Clinical Psychology.

Application/Examination

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: January 13, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. PST
Application Screening: January 15, 2025
Combined Civil Service Panel/Departmental Interviews: To Be Determined

About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.