Chief Psychologist

Ministry of the Solicitor General; Ontario; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization as a Chief Psychologist, where you'll lead a dedicated team to provide essential psychological services in a correctional environment. This role offers the chance to make a significant impact on the lives of inmates by developing and implementing innovative mental health programs. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and engage with various health networks to foster a supportive and inclusive atmosphere. If you're passionate about driving positive change and enhancing the well-being of individuals in care, this is the perfect opportunity for you to thrive.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefit plans

Robust pension program

Supportive work environment

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Registered psychologist in good standing in Ontario.
• Experience in correctional/forensic settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of psychologists in delivering mental health services.
• Coordinate psychological services and crisis intervention.
• Develop stakeholder relationships related to mental health.

Skills

Psychology practices

Assessment techniques

Crisis intervention

Behavior management

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Education

Registered psychologist in Ontario

Job description

Are you a registered psychologist eager to expand your leadership experience? We are seeking a dedicated Chief Psychologist to join our team at the Ministry of the Solicitor General. This role offers a unique opportunity to oversee the psychological and rehabilitative services of inmates in a secure, correctional environment. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity!

About this opportunity :

As Chief Psychologist, you will play a key role in managing and delivering mental health services within a corrections facility. The successful applicant will lead a team of psychologists to deliver programs within a fast-paced environment. Furthermore, you will work with a multidisciplinary team that includes physicians, psychiatrists, nurses, mental health nurses, nurse practitioners, addiction counselors, and social workers to provide services. You’ll have the opportunity to engage with multiple health networks to build strong, collaborative relationships. You will help establish a psychology unit that will design and implement mental health programs centered on the needs of all inmates. If you’re passionate about driving positive change in the lives of those in our care, we invite you to join our team!

Please note :

As this is a frontline essential position, you will be required to attend the physical office location 5 days per week. You may be called into work during after-hours (weekends or public holidays) to respond to emergency situations with patients.

About us :

Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General, Correctional Services, is responsible for establishing, maintaining, operating and monitoring adult correctional institutions and probation and parole offices. Built in 2001, the Central North Correctional Centre, in Penetanguishene, is a maximum-security facility. This centre holds both men and women and includes areas for rehabilitation, programming, an infirmary, and separate buildings for industrial work programs. Individuals in custody are provided a variety of services to meet basic needs including addiction counselors, Indigenous Elder healing services and teachings, discharge planning and community re-integration services, and more!

Leadership in the Ontario Public Service

A leadership career in the Ontario Public Service offers meaningful opportunities to lead impactful projects, collaborate with diverse teams, and shape policies, programs, and services that positively influence the lives of millions of Ontarians, all within a supportive and inclusive work environment. Our leaders enjoy comprehensive benefit plans, a robust pension program, and challenging and rewarding work that will keep you motivated and fulfilled.

About the job

Create the Work Environment

In the Ontario Public Service, we hold our leaders to the highest standards, expecting them to embody authenticity, accountability, and courage in every action and decision. It will be your responsibility to create a work environment and team culture that ignites innovation, nurtures collaboration, and champions inclusivity by creating a diverse, anti-racist, and accessible workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment. By aligning your choices with these values, you will create a vibrant work environment where every individual can thrive.

Deliver on Business Goals and Priorities

Your leadership will be crucial in guiding the team towards the achievement of their business goals. It will be your responsibility to inspire and motivate your team to deliver their best performance and align the team’s daily actions with the strategic vision of the ministry. As the Chief Psychologist, you will :

• Provide leadership and manage a team of psychologists in delivering psychological programs and services
• Identify key priorities during emergencies for patients and delegate tasks to ensure timely service delivery
• Coordinate psychological services such as crisis intervention, behavior management, mental health assessments, diagnosis, and treatment planning
• Develop and maintain internal and external stakeholder relationships related to mental health
• Research and implement best practices to continually improve programming effectiveness

What you bring to the team

Mandatory requirements

• You are registered as a psychologist in good standing in the Province of Ontario.

Specialized knowledge and experience

• Knowledge of psychology practices, including assessments and intervention techniques in correctional/forensic settings
• Experience with assessment instruments for evaluating cognitive and personality functioning, risk assessments, diagnoses, and interventions
• Strong understanding of psychological research methods for evaluating programs
• Experience providing professional psychological and consultancy services

Leadership and management skills

• Proven leadership in overseeing psychological program delivery
• Skills in staff management, coaching, and fostering an inclusive environment
• Knowledge of HR processes and financial management (asset)

Planning, coordination, and organizational skills

• Ability to prioritize and allocate resources effectively
• Experience designing and implementing monitoring and reporting processes
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Experience setting strategic objectives and work plans

Communication and relationship management skills

• Ability to communicate clearly at all organizational levels
• Effective negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to present technical information concisely

Don’t meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one may have every qualification listed, and you might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

The Ontario Public Service (OPS) is committed to diversity, anti-racism, inclusion, and equity. Our goal is to achieve parity with the Ontario labor force by 2025 for under-represented groups in leadership roles. We encourage applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized individuals, and persons with disabilities. The OPS is an accessible employer and offers accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

Additional information

• Address : 1 English Permanent, 541 Highway 36, Lindsay, East Region, with various security checks
• Compensation Group : Management Compensation Plan
• Category : Management and General
• Posted on : Friday, April 4, 2025

Note :

Security checks are conducted carefully, considering individual circumstances. Out-of-country police clearances may be required for those who lived outside Canada recently. All checks are confidential.