Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

• 6/21/2024
• 7/5/2024
• 7/19/2024
• 8/2/2024
• 8/16/2024
• 9/6/2024
• 9/20/2024
• 10/4/2024
• 10/18/2024
• 11/1/2024
• 11/15/2024
• 12/6/2024
• 12/20/2024

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will be processed in the next group.

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

• SENIOR PSYCHOLOGIST (HEALTH FACILITY) (SUPERVISOR) - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

2616

For SENIOR PSYCHOLOGIST (HEALTH FACILITY) (SUPERVISOR), once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

• EX-02616

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

You may apply by mail to:

• Department of State Hospitals
  Department of State Hospitals - Sacramento
  Human Resources Office
  1215 O Street, MS 17
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

• Department of State Hospitals
  Department of State Hospitals - Sacramento
  Human Resources Office
  1215 O Street, MS 17
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

License: Possession of a valid license as a Psychologist issued by the California Board of Psychology and possession of an earned Doctorate Degree in Psychology from an educational institution meeting the criteria of Section 2914 of the Medical Board of California's Business and Professions Code.

Individuals who do not qualify for licensure by the California Board of Psychology or who are in the process of securing this license will be admitted into the examination; however, applicants must first secure a license to practice as a psychologist in California before they will be eligible for appointment.

and Experience: Either

1. One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Psychologist (Health Facility) (any specialty), or Staff Psychologist (any specialty); or

2. Two years of postdoctoral, postinternship experience in the practice of psychology involving assessment and treatment and either training, research, consultation, or program planning in mental health services.

Applicants must submit their exam application AND complete the exam during the same cut-off period. For example, if you submit your exam application on July 8, 2024 (which is after the July 5, 2024 cut-off) you must complete the exam by July 19, 2024. Filing cut-off dates are listed at the beginning of the exam bulletin.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Components that are due with your application will be scored and will count toward your final examination result. Failure to submit these items may result in disqualification or elimination from the examination.

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

Complete and submit the following items with your application. These will be scored and count toward your final examination result. Failure to submit these items will result in disqualification from the examination.

Senior Psychologist (Supervisor) Exam: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/N5JFW7G

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of: Principles, techniques, and problems in developing and coordinating a specialized psychological treatment program; principles, techniques, and trends in psychology with particular reference to normal and disordered behavior, human development, motivation, personality, learning, individual differences, adaptation and social interaction; methods for the assessment and modification of human behavior; characteristics and social aspects of mental and developmental disabilities; research methodology and program evaluation; institutional and social process, group dynamics; functions of psychologists in various mental health services; current trends in the field of mental health; professional training; principles of personnel management and supervision; community organization and allied professional services; State and departmental equal employment opportunity policies;; and a manager's/supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Ability to: Plan, organize, direct, or coordinate a specialized psychological treatment program involving members of other treatment disciplines; provide professional consultation and program leadership; supervise consultation and program leadership; supervise professional staff; teach and participate in professional training; recognize situations requiring the creative application of technical skills; develop and evaluate creative approaches to the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of mental disabilities, to the conduct of research, and to the development and direction of a psychology program; plan, organize, and conduct research, data analysis, and program evaluation; conduct the more difficult assessment and psychological treatment procedures; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; communicate effectively; understand and effectively carry out State and departmental equal employment opportunity policies; and effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the SENIOR PSYCHOLOGIST (HEALTH FACILITY) (SUPERVISOR) Classification will be established for:

• State of California

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

• A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
• A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Instructions: Rate your knowledge and experience performing specific job-related tasks.

1. Coordinate special patient treatment program of services utilizing psychological techniques, evidence-based research, program evaluation and consultation with other professionals.
2. Provide training to staff and psychologists in various areas of treatment and assessment to develop skills to provide treatment.
3. Interpret facility-wide or program-based objectives and procedures to make recommendations for program development.
4. Supervise psychological assessment and/or treatment by psychologists and/or psychology interns to ensure appropriate standards of care are met.
5. Communicate psychological assessment results from testing to the treatment team to indicate evaluation findings.
6. Communicate treatment progress to the treatment team to indicate/document patient progress and service delivery.
7. Provide training to trainees to ensure their professional development by presenting seminars.
8. Provide assessment materials, training and/or treatment services to support consistency of services and maintain proficiency.
9. Evaluate assessment and behavioral data to provide consultation to the treatment team and/or assigned psychologist.
10. Coordinate training to ensure quality care to patients and documentation of such care.

Instructions: Rate your knowledge and experience performing specific job-related knowledge and abilities.

1. Knowledge of psychological principles, techniques, and problems in developing and coordinating a specialized treatment program.
2. Knowledge of principles, techniques, and trends in psychology with particular reference to normal and disordered behavior, human development, motivation, personality, learning, individual differences, adaptation and social interaction.
3. Knowledge of methods for the assessment of complex diagnostic issues to review and suggest corrections.
4. Knowledge of methods for behavioral modification to improve the quality of behavioral support plans created by psychologists.
5. Knowledge of psychology as it relates to the particular treatment setting (e.g., forensic, Lanterman, Petris & Short (LPS), Skilled Nursing) to help prepare for court testimony, report writing, assessments, and treatment.
6. Knowledge of characteristics, symptom manifestations, and social aspects of mental and developmental disabilities to appropriately treat and/or recommend treatment for a variety of conditions.
7. Knowledge of research methodology and program evaluation to assess the most appropriate treatment strategies and interventions for patients.
8. Knowledge of group dynamics and social processes and group dynamics that impact institutional functioning.
9. Knowledge of professional training and supervision in order to create opportunities for psychologists to meet standards of practice.
10. Knowledge of violence and suicide risk assessment and management practices in order to protect the safety of staff and patients.
11. Ability to provide professional consultation services across treatment units and treatment disciplines to improve patient response to treatment.
12. Ability to provide clinical leadership to staff psychologists and senior psychologist specialists in handling routine and/or difficult clinical duties.
13. Ability to recognize and develop innovative approaches to the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of mental disabilities in order to improve treatment programs.
14. Ability to conduct complex assessment and psychological treatment procedures in order to support treatment progress.

• Department of State Hospitals
• State of California

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Department of State Hospitals reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.