CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST I

County of Los Angeles; California (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Los Angeles seeks a Clinical Psychologist I (Non-Competitive) to assess, diagnose, and treat clients with psychiatric and co-occurring disorders. The role involves tests, reports, and direct therapy with individuals, groups, and families.

Requires a Doctorate in psychology and a California waiver; applicants may apply during six-month windows. Continuous openings; remote not indicated. Department of Mental Health emphasizes ARDI and public service.

Qualifications

• Doctorate from an accredited college or university in psychology, educational psychology, or related field.
• Licensing waiver issued by California Department of Mental Health as per Welfare & Institutions Code sections.
• Applicants may apply if doctorate earned within six months of filing; certification withheld until completion.
• Submit official diploma/transcripts within seven calendar days of filing; English documents preferred.

Responsibilities

• Select, administer, and interpret a wide variety of psychological tests for diagnosis.
• Generate reports of diagnostic findings and treatment recommendations.
• Provide direct services: diagnostic evaluation, structured clinical interviewing, individual/group/family therapy.
• Utilize treatment modalities such as psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
• Define treatment goals and design intervention strategies to support recovery.
• Evaluate client response and adjust treatment plans with client input.
• Obtain medical, psychological, social, and family histories; review records.
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams to plan treatment and outcomes.
• Provide testimony before courts on evaluation results.
• Assist in research studies and multidisciplinary projects.

Skills

Psychological testing

Diagnostic interviewing

Individual therapy

Group therapy

Family therapy

Report writing

Education

Doctorate in psychology

Job description

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST I (NON-COMPETITIVE)

WHEN TO APPLY

We will be accepting online applications starting Tuesday June 2, 2026 at 9:00 AM (PT) – Continuous. This opportunity will remain open until the needs of the service are met and is subject to closure without prior notice.

EXAM NUMBER

b8695I

WHO MAY APPLY

We welcome applications from everyone

Why work for us?

With more than 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation! As the largest employer in Southern California, over 116,000 employees in more than 38 Departments provide vital public services as diverse as law enforcement, property assessment, public health protection, water conservation, cultural activities and many more.

We are dedicated professionals committed to preserving the dignity and integrity of the workplace as well as protecting the rights of each employee. The County has more than 2,300 different job descriptions, offering a lifetime of opportunities and careers! We offer one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the country. Join us and discover a rich selection of health care options, robust retirement plans and the flexibility to work, relax, and rejuvenate to reach your fullest personal and professional potential.

• Selects, administers and interprets a wide variety of psychological testing instruments for the diagnosis and evaluation of clients with psychiatric and co-occurring disorders.
• Generates reports of diagnostic and psychological findings and/or treatment recommendations.
• Performs direct service activities including diagnostic evaluation, structured clinical interviewing, and individual, group, and family therapy.
• Utilizes a variety of treatment modalities such as psychotherapy, behavior modification, and various evidence-based or promising practices such as cognitive-behavioral therapy.
• Intervenes with clients to enhance their ability to fully participate in treatment, including defining treatment goals and designing intervention strategies that support recovery and resiliency.
• Evaluates client response to treatment, modifies treatment strategies and includes the client as part of the decision-making process.
• Obtains and studies medical, psychological, social and family histories, by interviewing individuals, couples, or families and reviewing relevant records.
• As a member of multidisciplinary treatment team, plans treatment programs and disposition of cases, including identifying treatment outcomes.
• Participates in professional staff conferences concerning psychological assessment methods, techniques and results.
• Provides testimony before courts of law on results of psychological evaluations.
• Assists in carrying out psychological research studies and multidisciplinary projects.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

A Doctorate from an accredited college or university in psychology, educational psychology, education with the field of specialization in counseling psychology, or in a discipline deemed equivalent by the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Psychology.

LICENSE

A waiver issued by the California Department of Mental Health in accordance with Welfare & Institutions Code Section 5751.1-2. Waivers for newly-trained psychologists shall not exceed five years from the commencement of employment in California, or as currently defined by the State Welfare & Institutions Code. Waivers for out-of-state psychologists shall not exceed one year from date of employment in California, or as currently defined in the State Welfare & Institutions Code.

Applicants who expect to receive their doctorate degree within six (6) months of filing, an application may compete in the examination, and if successful, will be withheld from certification for employment until original documentation of successful completion of the required education is received.

Special information

To receive credit for your education, include a legible copy of your official diploma, official transcript, or letter/certificate from an accredited institution within seven (7) calendar days of filing your application. The document should show the date the degree was conferred and be in English. If not in English, then translation is required. International degrees must be evaluated for equivalency to U.S. standards if not listed in the International Handbook of Universities or World Higher Education Database. For more information on our standards for educational documents, please visit https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/070812_PPG123.pdf

We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.

NOTE: if you are unable to attach the required documents with your application online, you may e-mail them to [e-mail] within seven (7) calendar days from application submission. In the "Subject" of the e‑mail please type the Exam Number and Exam Title.

Physical class

Physical Class II – Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

Examination Content

This is a non-competitive examination: This opportunity is considered non-competitive, meaning you will only need to meet the requirements. If you do, we will put you on a list with everyone who qualifies and use this list to fill vacancies as they occur.

Eligibility and Vacancy Information

The names of qualifying candidates will be added to the Eligible Register for a period of twelve (12) months following the date of promulgation.

Applications will be processed as they are received and added to the list accordingly.

Applicants will be placed on a list of eligible candidates without indication of relative standing in the examination. The appointing power may appoint any one of the names on the appropriate list, except a person without Veterans credit may not be appointed if there are three or more names on the list of persons entitled to Veteran’s credit.

Additional Information

Appointees may be required to work any shift, including evenings, nights, holidays or weekends.

Past and present mental health clients and family members are encouraged to apply.

Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI)

The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Department of Mental Health is committed to promoting Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

Teletype Phone: [phone]

Alternate Teletype Phone: [phone]

California Relay Services Phone: [phone]

Department Contact Name: Anthony Estrada

Department Contact Phone: [phone]