Exam Bulletin - Chief Psychologist, Correctional Facility

California Correctional Health Care Services

Multiple Testing Departments. Please see list of Departments.

Exam Code: EX-3075

Examination Plans Included:

  • CHIEF PSYCHOLOGIST, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Classification Details

CHIEF PSYCHOLOGIST, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY: $14,794.00 - $18,938.00 (P) per Month *1
CHIEF PSYCHOLOGIST, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY: $14,089.00 - $18,036.00 (U) per Month *2
*1: This salary range applies to incumbents appointed to Adult Institutions and Division of Correctional Health Care Services. *2: This salary range applies to employees within the Department of State Hospitals.

View the CHIEF PSYCHOLOGIST, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY classification specification.

Application Instructions

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Who Should Apply:

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):

  • CHIEF PSYCHOLOGIST, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY - Open

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

Exam Code(s):

    3075

How To Apply:

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.

Special Testing Arrangements:

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.

Minimum Qualifications

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.

00109859 - CHIEF PSYCHOLOGIST, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

Possession of a valid license as a Psychologist issued by the California Board of Psychology.  And

Either I

At least two years’ experience as a licensed Psychologist in the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Or II

At least three years’ experience as a licensed Psychologist in a forensic setting such as a local jail or community-based forensic treatment unit.

Applicants possessing the required license/certificate at the time of application must show the number, title, and expiration date on their Examination Application (Std. Form 678).

Special Personal Characteristics:  Empathetic understanding of patients of a State correctional facility; willingness to work in a correctional facility; emotional stability; patience; scientific and professional integrity; alertness; tact; and demonstrated leadership ability; and keenness of observation.

Special Physical Characteristics:  Persons appointed to this position must be reasonably expected to have and maintain sufficient strength, agility, and endurance to perform during stressful (physical, mental, and emotional) situations encountered on the job without compromising their health and well-being or that of their fellow employees or that of inmates.

Assignments may include sole responsibility for the supervision of inmates and/or the protection of personal and real property.

State Civil Service Out of Class Experience:  A completion of an “out-of-class (OOC) assignment memorandum”, dated within one year of assignment completion, is required to use OOC experience to meet the minimum qualifications for examination purposes.  Employees may obtain this documentation from their Classification and Pay Analyst or institutional Personnel Liaison.  OOC experience without the required documentation cannot be considered for examination purposes.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:  The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) are committed to building an inclusive and culturally diverse workplace. We are determined to attract and hire more candidates from diverse communities and empower all employees from a variety of cultural backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences. We are proud to foster inclusion and drive collaborative efforts to increase representation at all levels of the Department.

Position Description

00109859 - CHIEF PSYCHOLOGIST, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

A Chief Psychologist, Correctional Facility, under general direction in a State correctional facility, is responsible for the overall supervision of psychologists; investigates behavior problems or mental disorders; examines, diagnoses, classifies, and prescribes psychological treatment and rehabilitation programs for incarcerated patients; supervises and participates in the diagnosis, care, and treatment of psychotic incarcerated patients; secures and reviews data on heredity, congenital and environmental factors pertaining to incarcerated patients; applies findings of psychological examinations; directs psychotherapy and other treatment for preventing and correcting behavior disorders; directs and participates in staff conferences and clinics to discuss psychological problems of incarcerated patients and their care and treatment; recommends transfer, parole, or discharge of incarcerated patients and recommends arrangements for follow-up and aftercare during parole; secures and trains assistants; plans, directs, and evaluates their work and takes or recommends appropriate action with respect to their work performance; prepares reports and does research on problems of adult criminality; maintains order and supervises the conduct of persons committed to the CDCR; prevents escapes and injury by these persons to themselves, others, or to property; maintains security of working areas and work materials; inspects premises and searches inmates for contraband, such as weapons or illegal drugs; and does other related work.

Positions exist statewide.

Examination Information

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1Supplemental ReportWith Application100%

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.

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:

  1. Psychological theories and research;
  2. Principles, techniques, and problems in developing and coordinating a specialized psychological treatment program;
  3. 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;
  4. Methods for the assessment and modification of human behavior;
  5. Characteristics and social aspects of mental disorders and retardation;
  6. Research methodology and program evaluation, institutional and social process, group dynamics;
  7. Functions of psychologists in various mental health services;
  8. Current trends in the field of mental health;
  9. Professional training;
  10. Community organization and allied professional services;
  11. The Department’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program objectives;
  12. A manager’s role in the EEO Program and the processes available to meet EEO objectives;
  13. Principles and techniques of effective supervision.

Ability to:

  1. Plan, organize, and work in a specialized psychological treatment program involving members of other treatment disciplines;
  2. Provide professional consultation and program leadership;
  3. Teach and participate in professional training;
  4. Recognize situations requiring the creative application of technical skills;
  5. Develop and evaluate creative approaches to the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of mental disorders to the conduct of research and to the development and direction of a psychological program;
  6. Plan, organize, and conduct research, data analysis, and program evaluation;
  7. Conduct assessment and psychological treatment procedures;
  8. Secure the cooperation of professional and lay groups;
  9. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action;
  10. Communicate effectively;
  11. Plan, organize, and direct the work of others;
  12. Effectively contribute to the Department’s EEO objectives.

Eligible List Information

A Departmental Open eligible list for the CHIEF PSYCHOLOGIST, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Classification will be established for:

  • California Correctional Health Care Services

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.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

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.

Preview the Chief Psychologist, Correctional Facility Exam

1. Have you consulted with medical and mental health personnel regarding the findings of medical examinations and evidence of organic disturbances/neurocognitive disorders? 
2. Have you delegated to appropriate mental health clinicians (psychiatrists/psychologists) the evaluation of patients' behavioral problems and mental disorders? 
3. Have you developed and implemented mental health policies and procedures? 4. Have you directed staff meetings to share information, discuss problems, and review training needs? 
5. Have you directed the work of clinical and non-clinical staff? 
6. Have you evaluated behavioral problems and mental disorders of patients? 
7. Have you evaluated mental health care policies and procedures and current program functions? 
8. Have you managed the recruitment and selection of mental health professionals? 
9. Have you managed the development of various audit tools to facilitate compliance with quality management, budget processes, and personnel policies and procedures? 
10. Have you participated in quality management and/or peer review activities and/or committees? 
11. Have you participated in various meetings and/or committees to provide input and mental health expertise, and make recommendations? 
12. Have you planned and/or implemented new mental health programs, including quality control assurance programs? 
13. Have you provided patient evaluation and/or consultation in difficult cases?
14. Have you represented mental health programs in various situations (e.g., union negotiations, respond to patient lawsuits/subpoenas, testify as material witness)? 
15. Have you trained mental health staff in areas such as conflict resolution, stress management, effective supervisory skills, and policies and procedures?

Testing Departments

  • California Correctional Health Care Services
  • Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation
  • Department of State Hospitals

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

California Correctional Health Care Services
Examination Services Section
PO Box 588500, Personnel D-1
Elk Grove, CA 95758
Phone: (916) 691-5894
CPHCSSelectionServices@cdcr.ca.gov

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State work place. Any applicant for State employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective, because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing civil service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

General Information

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.

California Correctional Health Care Services 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.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)