Psychological Services Specialist, DHS - North Central Secure Treatment Unit

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Danville (PA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

FREE parking!

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's DHS, Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services, is seeking a Psychological Services Specialist to provide clinical evaluations, guide treatment planning, and support adjudicated youth. You will coordinate mental health services, deliver individual and group counseling, and participate in multidisciplinary team discussions across facilities.

This full-time role starts at $69,086 per year, with telework not offered, and includes a strong commitment to rehabilitation and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a behavioral science, counseling education, rehabilitation, human development, or closely related field.
• Applicants may be within 3 months of graduation to meet educational requirements.

Responsibilities

• Clinical Evaluation: Prepare written clinical assessments via interviews, record reviews, and specialized tools.
• Service Coordination: Coordinate mental health services and consult with supervisory and counseling staff.
• Direct Counseling: Provide individual and group counseling sessions and attend related hearings.
• Staff Training: Guide direct care staff through case consultations and clinical meetings.
• Team Collaboration: Exchange information with probation officers and assist with release planning.

Skills

Clinical evaluation

Counseling

Service coordination

Team collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in behavioral science or related field

Job description

Advance your career while empowering the next generation as a Psychological Services Specialist, DHS with the Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services.

In this role, you will provide critical psychological support and help guide young people toward meaningful, positive change.

This position allows you to use your clinical skills to complete evaluations, contribute to treatment plans, and participate in therapeutic programming.

You will collaborate with staff across the Youth Development Center and Youth Forestry Camp system to strengthen rehabilitation efforts and encourage healthy development.

Apply today to join our team and make a meaningful impact in the lives of the youth we serve!

Watch this video to see how you can make a difference!

This position focuses on supporting the psychological development of adjudicated youth through counseling, assessments, and coordinated treatment planning. You take part in clinical teamwork and offer essential guidance that strengthens rehabilitation goals. As a Psychological Services Specialist, DHS, you will perform the following duties:

• Clinical Evaluation: Prepare written clinical assessments using interviews, record reviews, and specialized tools
• Service Coordination: Coordinate mental health services and consult with supervisory and counseling staff
• Direct Counseling: Provide individual and group counseling sessions and attend related hearings
• Staff Training: Offer guidance to direct care staff through case consultation and clinical meetings
• Team Collaboration: Exchange information with probation officers and assist with release planning

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment (7.5 hours per day/37.5 hours per week)
• Work hours include four shifts from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, one shift from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary:Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $69,086.00 (before taxes).
• FREE parking!
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• A master’s degree in a behavioral science, counseling education, rehabilitation, human development or a closely related field.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination and drug screening.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.