Operational Psychologist-LCSW

Maximus; Northern (KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Life insurance

Employee discounts

Job summary

Maximus is seeking an Operational Psychologist to apply behavioral science to improve SOF assessment and selection, readiness, and resilience. The role involves expert consultation, research, and advanced training to maximize performance in support of mission objectives. U.S.

citizenship and a Secret-level clearance eligibility are required. The position emphasizes staff supervision, program evaluation, and coordination with command leadership to enhance behavioral health and operational

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in education/experience.
• Minimum of two years of related experience.
• Current LCSW or LMSW licensed in the practice state.
• PhD or PsyD from APA-accredited program in clinical or counseling psychology.
• Two years post-doctoral independent practice in operational psychology; DoD/IC experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a team of employees ensuring high performance.
• Provide clinical and operational psychology expertise to SOF personnel.
• Support assessment and selection programs to improve person/job match and team effectiveness.
• Conduct psychological assessments, consult with command personnel, and manage related records.
• Provide crisis response and follow-up care as needed.
• Maintain professional privileges and credentialing in good standing.

Skills

Team leadership

Assessment & selection

Operational psychology

Executive coaching

Behavioral health consulting

Education

PhD/PsyD in clinical or counseling psychology

LCSW or LMSW licensed in state

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

Psychological tests

Job description

The Operational Psychologist (OP) applies behavioral science principles to support assessment and selection processes and enhance the readiness and resiliency of Special Operations Forces (SOF) personnel. The OP provides expert command consultation, conducts government-approved research and program evaluation, supports sensitive activities, and delivers advanced training designed to maximize SOF personnel performance and resilience in support of mission objectives.

U.S. citizenship is required. Candidates must possess an active U.S. Government Secret security clearance or be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance as required for contract performance. This position is pending upon contract award.

Why Maximus?

• Flexibility That Fits Your Life – Work/life balance support with flexibility designed to meet your personal and professional needs.
• Robust Health & Insurance Benefits – Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription plans, a partially funded HSA, Life Insurance, and additional insurance discounts.
• Build Your Financial Future – 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with Company Match.
• Generous Time Away From Work – PTO, paid holidays, extended sick leave, and Short- and Long-Term Disability coverage.
• Wellness Beyond the Workplace – Resources supporting physical, emotional, and financial well-being through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Recognition That Matters – Employee recognition programs that celebrate achievements and contributions.
• Invest in Your Growth – Tuition Reimbursement and professional development opportunities.
• Employee Discounts & Perks – Exclusive savings, special offers, and employee-only benefits.
• Wellness Programs & Resources – Programs and tools designed to support overall health and wellness.
• Career Development Opportunities – Training programs, workshops, conferences, and ongoing learning opportunities.
• Licensure & Certification Support – Maximus covers the costs associated with renewing required licenses and certifications.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise a team of employees through cultivation of a high performance team.
• Ensure adequate staff coverage for assigned program area.
• Serve as subject matter expert for identified area of program knowledge.
• Ensure assigned team is meeting contract and individual SLA's, and related requirements.
• Work with contract management and shared services to identify opportunities for improvement and efficiencies.
• May attend client and stakeholder meetings.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Provide technical expertise, guidance, and direct services in clinical and operational psychology to SOF personnel.
• Collaborate with an existing active-duty Operational Psychologist, or independently if no such active-duty psychologist is available, in the development and planning of unit-level resiliency programs to identify, prevent, and treat behavioral health issues.
• Support the development and implementation of assessment and selection programs to improve person/job match, team cohesion, adaptability, and operational effectiveness.
• Provide consultation and direct support in assessment and selection, operational support, individual, team, and organizational assessment, performance enhancement, executive coaching, and leadership preservation and development.
• Use assessment and selection data to strengthen SOF operators’ ability to learn key performance-based strategies during high-risk training and enhance survivability and force effectiveness.
• Conduct, administer, and interpret psychological assessment measures and consult with command personnel.
• Manage relevant process improvement, program validation, government-approved research, and appropriate personnel selection records and filing systems.
• Assist across POTFF domain efforts when deemed mission essential by local unit government supervisors within POTFF or by the Commander.
• Manage referrals and disposition of referrals for behavioral health care.
• Provide professional development and education to leadership and SOF personnel, as requested.
• Provide crisis response and follow-up care in the event of unit casualties or other serious incidents.
• Serve as a liaison between unit personnel and base/community helping professionals or agencies.
• Support assessment and selection for incoming personnel and provide feedback to unit leadership on personnel suitability for specific military organizations or positions.
• Ensure all work meets professional standards and guidelines defined by the organization’s commander and/or Senior OP and the American Psychological Association (APA) Practice Guidelines of Operational Psychology.
• Maintain privileges and credentials for independent practice in good standing with appropriate privileging and credentialing authorities.
• Provide crisis response and follow-up care in the event of unit casualties or other serious incidents.
• Serve as a liaison between unit personnel and base/community helping professionals or agencies.
• Support assessment and selection for incoming personnel and provide feedback to unit leadership on personnel suitability for specific military organizations or positions.
• Ensure all work meets professional standards and guidelines defined by the organization’s commander and/or Senior OP and the American Psychological Association (APA) Practice Guidelines of Operational Psychology.
• Maintain privileges and credentials for independent practice in good standing with appropriate privileging and credentialing authorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education, technical training, or relevant experience in lieu of degree.
• Minimum of two years of related experience.
• Current LCSW or LMSW with license valid in the state of practice is required.
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) from an American Psychological Association-accredited college or university, with a doctoral degree in clinical or counseling psychology.
• Minimum of two (2) years of peer-reviewable, post-doctoral experience in the independent practice of psychology in operational psychology, preferably in a government setting such as DoW or the Intelligence Community (IC). Prior experience working with physicians providing medical psychological services, military, and/or SOF experience is preferred.
• Successful completion of an American Psychological Association-accredited internship or residency in psychology.
• Computer literacy sufficient to operate a personal computer; use psychological test, word processing, database, and spreadsheet programs; and efficiently produce reports and correspondence.
• Ability to conduct, administer, and interpret the full spectrum of psychological assessment tools and consult with command personnel.
• Experience managing relevant process improvements, program validations, and related government-approved research.
• Mastery of psychological assessment, behavioral health, behavioral research, organizational effectiveness literature, operational psychology, performance enhancement and training, industrial/organizational psychology, and social and operational psychology.
• Ability to receive and maintain clinical practice privileges, if required.
• Experience and training in the assessment and treatment of alcohol and substance abuse conditions, domestic violence, child abuse, post-traumatic stress, mood and anxiety conditions, and family/marital issues.
• In addition to required doctoral-level training and licensure, all OP personnel shall have specialized training and education that prepare them for their duties. Contract personnel shall have the following:
• One (1) year of experience in performance enhancement or executive coaching, organizational assessment and consultation, and/or completion of the USASOC Operational Psychology in Personnel Selection course or similar organizational psychology classes.
• Training in critical incident/stress trauma interventions.
• Capability to meet the physical demands of selection and training events, including hiking over rough terrain, working long and irregular hours with disrupted sleep cycles, and functioning in austere environments.
• Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) orientation and/or certification through the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency (JPRA), or willingness to obtain it.
• Post-doctoral training, or willingness to obtain training, qualifying the individual as an Aerospace Psychologist, as demonstrated by completion of USAF and/or USA aviation psychology training, including USAFSAM’s Air Force Aviation Mishap Intervention and Prevention course and USASAM’s Aeromedical Psychology Training Course. This requirement applies to AFSOC and other organizations with aviation capabilities only.

Home Office Requirements

• Internet speed of 25mbps or higher required / 50 Mpbs for shared internet connectivity (you can test this by going to www.speedtest.net)
• Minimum 5mpbs upload speed
• Connectivity to the internet via Category 5 or 6 ethernet patch cable to the home router
• Private and secure work area and adequate power source
• Must currently and permanently reside in the Continental US
• Must have a smartphone which will be required to log into Maximus systems

EEO Statement

Maximus is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics.

Pay Transparency

Maximus compensation is based on various factors including but not limited to job location, a candidate's education, training, experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value analysis including seniority and merit systems, as well as internal pay alignment. Annual salary is just one component of Maximus's total compensation package. Other rewards may include short- and long-term incentives as well as program-specific awards. Additionally, Maximus provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and paid time off. Compensation ranges may differ based on contract value but will be commensurate with job duties and relevant work experience. An applicant's salary history will not be used in determining compensation. Maximus will comply with regulatory minimum wage rates and exempt salary thresholds in all instances.

Accommodations

Maximus provides reasonable accommodations to individuals requiring assistance during any phase of the employment process due to a disability, medical condition, or physical or mental impairment. If you require assistance at any stage of the employment process—including accessing job postings, completing assessments, or participating in interviews,—please contact People Operations at [e-mail].