• The exam preview section has been updated.

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 3 months:

Exam Code(s):

3326

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.

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.

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 incarcerated patients.

Assignments may include sole responsibility for the supervision of incarcerated patients 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 the 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 backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences. We are proud to foster inclusion and drive collaborative efforts to increase representation at all levels of the Department.

CDCR/CCHCS values all team members.  We work cooperatively to provide the highest level of health care possible to a diverse correctional population, which includes medical, dental, nursing, mental health, and pharmacy.  We encourage creativity and ingenuity while treating others fairly, honestly, and with respect, all of which are critical to the success of the CDCR/CCHCS mission.

Commitment to CA Model: CDCR and CCHCS are proud to partner on the California Model which will transform the correctional landscape for our employees and the incarcerated. The California Model is a systemwide change that leverages national and international best practices to address longstanding challenges related to incarceration and institution working conditions, creating a safe, professional, and satisfying workplace for staff as well as rehabilitation for the incarcerated. Additionally, the California Model improves success of the decarcerated through robust re-entry efforts back into the community.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

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.

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.

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.

It is important that you read the instructions and definitions carefully. This is not a timed process.  Using the rating scales provided, you will be asked to rate your experience performing specific job-related tasks. You will be asked how often/frequently you have performed the task, and then, your level of skill in performing the task. Respond to the statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every statement by marking one option for both of the two scales provided in order to receive credit for your response.  You may refer to your WORK EXPERIENCE, whether paid or volunteer, your EDUCATION, and/or FORMAL TRAINING COURSES you have completed.

1.   Consult with medical and mental health personnel regarding the findings of medical examinations and evidence of organic disturbances/neurocognitive disorders. 

2.   Delegate to appropriate mental health clinicians (psychiatrists/psychologists) the evaluation of patients' behavioral problems and mental disorders. 

3.   Develop and implement mental health policies and procedures.
4.   Direct staff meetings to share information, discuss problems, and review training needs. 

5.   Direct the work of clinical and non-clinical staff. 

6.   Evaluate behavioral problems and mental disorders of patients. 

7.   Evaluate mental health care policies and procedures and current program functions. 

8.   Manage the recruitment and selection of mental health professionals. 

9.   Manage the development of various audit tools to facilitate compliance with quality management, budget processes, and personnel policies and procedures. 

10.  Participate in quality management and/or peer review activities and/or committees. 

11.  Participate in various meetings and/or committees to provide input and mental health expertise and make recommendations. 

12.  Plan and/or implement new mental health programs, including quality control assurance programs. 

13.  Provide patient evaluation and/or consultation in difficult cases.

14.  Represent mental health programs in various situations (e.g., union negotiations, respond to patient lawsuits/subpoenas, testify as material witness). 

15.  Train mental health staff in areas such as conflict resolution, stress management, effective supervisory skills, and policies and procedures.

• California Correctional Health Care Services

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.

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.