Psychologist 4 -WSP

Description

*Please Note: COVID Vaccine requirement for DOC employment NO LONGER REQUIRED*

The Psychologist 4 position will help to improve public safety by positively changing lives through the application of forensic risk evaluation techniques and strategies that will inform housing decision making, treatment planning, and interventions to reduce an individual's risk for violent re-offense. Through actuarial based risk evaluation and structured professional judgment, intervention strategies will be targeted to the identified dynamic risk factors. The recommendations coming from this position and unit will impact decisions around liberty for individuals with history of violence. These decisions pose risk for the agency and require careful and thoughtful consideration of multiple factors including psychological forensic risk assessments.

Duties

Forensic Risk Evaluation- Risk Evaluations will be conducted in the following instance:

• MAX Custody related referrals
• Development and Implementation of Violence Risk Interventions for incarcerated individuals.
• An instrument-based evaluation will be conducted to estimate violence risk for the proposed housing placement of the individual. The evaluation will be documented in a report made available to the HQ MAX Custody Committee and the primary therapist (in order to potentially inform treatment planning and other interventions). The report will include an estimate and description of relevant violence risk factors as well as recommendations for risk mitigation. The evaluation will be based on the most up-to-date information on this topic. This position will be responsible for directly conducting evaluations across the WADOC system.
• In addition to risk of violence evaluations, this position will develop and implement violence risk reduction strategies and interventions (for both individuals and groups). Such interventions may include, but may not be limited to, forms of mental health treatment, behavior management strategies, and other forms of interventions and treatments that are either considered promising practices or evidenced based towards institutional violence reduction.

Remain current on the literature and continuing education requirements related to forensic risk evaluations, including all relevant State and Federal statutes.

• Remain current on the literature and continuing education requirements related to forensic risk evaluations, including all relevant State and Federal statutes.
• Routinely review professional publications on this subject.
• Review past and proposed legislation.
• Inform Behavioral Health leadership regarding relevant, new information.
• Share relevant findings with other Behavioral Health Supervisors.
• Keep up to date on all continuing education requirements.

Assist in the development and delivery of Behavioral Health trainings.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• One year of postdoctoral psychology experience.
• Possession of a license to practice psychology in the state of Washington.
• At least one year of experience working independently and effectively to develop resource linking client needs with resources within institutions and/or the community.

Knowledge:

• How to conduct and interpret psychological evaluations (instruments) of violence risk (experience with tools such as the PCL-R, V-RAG, and HCR-20).
• How to conduct and interpret psychological evaluations of mental health diagnostic clarification.
• Applied Knowledge of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM 5) of Mental Health Disorders by the American Psychiatric Association.
• Legal statutes related to MAX custody related mandates.
• Effective report writing, including synthesis of data, observations, and collateral information.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to foster and maintain effective working relationships across multi-disciplinary teams; ability to resolve conflict between individuals and groups.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

AND

AND

• Possession of a license to practice psychology (in good standing) in the State of Washington.
• Experience in providing individual and group mental health treatment and other interventions in a correctional setting.
• Knowledge of community providers, resources, and criteria for providing services.
• Proficiency in a language other than English, including American Sign Language.
• Additional education or certification relevant to this work.

Supplemental Information

• Mission: The mission of DOC is to improve public safety by positively changing lives.
• Our Vision: Working together for safer communities.
• Our Commitment: To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.
• Our Core Values:
  • Cultivate an environment of integrity and trust: Corrections values partnership and trust. We foster openness and support courageous conversations. We are committed to doing what we say we are going to do by being accountable and taking personal ownership in our actions.
  • Respectful and inclusive interactions: Corrections appreciates and values individuals by promoting an inclusive and diverse environment, which encourages safety. We respect, value, and listen to the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of our stakeholders and consider the impact on those we serve as well as each other.
  • People's safety: Corrections believes in creating an environment that values physical, mental, and emotional security and well-being. We honor those who advance safety for all.
  • Positivity in words and actions: At Corrections, we assume positive intentions and believe there is a shared desire for the best outcome. We consistently demonstrate positive behavior and always put forth our best effort.
  • Supporting people's success: Corrections is committed to our community – understanding individuals, instilling hope, embracing change, and providing opportunities.

• Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies. If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.

• A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply.
• We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws. A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, will be disqualified from consideration.
• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire. When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment will also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.
• This position may be represented by a bargaining unit.

• Requires respirator medical evaluation questionnaire, fit testing, training, and use of respiratory protection as required by the WA Industrial Safety & Act standards. Refer to WAC 296-842 to learn more.
• Must be able to work in spaces, climb stairs, walk long distances, and frequently lift up to 30 pounds. Under rare circumstances this position may be required to lift or carry up to 50 pounds and push up to 100 pounds.
• Foreign equivalent degrees awarded outside the United States must have a credential evaluation report attached to your application. You may request the required evaluation/documentation from www.wes.org and www.aice-eval.org. Until this documentation is provided, you will not be selected to move forward in the hiring process.
• Candidates who are offered a job with the Department of Corrections must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.

• Candidates who are offered a job with the Department of Corrections must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.

• The DOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements for the federal employment eligibility verification form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.

• Work effectively with people of different perspectives, abilities, disabilities, races, religions, ages, lifestyle preferences and social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Respectfully acknowledge people's differences and recognize these differences as important and valuable.
• Promote inclusiveness.
• Be culturally sensitive and appropriate.
• Respect and value diverse backgrounds and traditions.

• Up to 25 paid vacations days a year
• 8 hours of paid sick leave per month
• 12 paid holidays a year
• Generous retirement plan
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Deferred Compensation and so much more!

DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email kathey.waggoner@doc1.wa.gov or call at (509) 907-7808.

For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.