PSYCHOLOGIST, CF - Avenal State Prison (ASP)

California Correctional Health Care Services; Corcoran (CA); On-site; USD 128,295 - 155,536; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment and retention bonus

Potential for performance bonuses

Job summary

A California state health services organization is seeking a Psychologist for its facility in Corcoran. This role involves conducting preadmission screenings, providing crisis intervention and therapy, and participating in interdisciplinary team evaluations. Candidates must hold a Doctoral degree in Psychology and have a strong background in individual therapy and crisis intervention. The position offers an inclusive workplace with benefits such as a recruitment and retention bonus for qualified applicants.

Qualifications

• Must hold a Doctoral degree in Psychology.
• Experience in crisis intervention and individual therapy is essential.
• Ability to lead and participate in interdisciplinary team evaluations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct preadmission screenings and evaluations of inmates.
• Provide crisis intervention and individual therapy.
• Participate in program evaluation and research activities.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Individual therapy

Collaborative teamwork

Education

Doctoral degree in Psychology

Job description

Department Information

Vision We enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs.

Mission

To facilitate the successful reintegration of the individuals in our care back to their communities equipped with the tools to be drug‑free, healthy, and employable members of society by providing education, treatment, rehabilitative, and restorative justice programs, all in a safe and humane environment.

Commitment

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) are committed to transforming the correctional landscape to create safer, more professional, and more fulfilling environments for our employees, the incarcerated population, and those supervised in our communities. Through systemwide improvements grounded in proven and emerging practices, we aim to strengthen rehabilitation, enhance workplace satisfaction, and support successful reentry into the community through our institutions, parole, and community partnerships. Our shared mission is to promote safety, wellness, and human dignity while fostering positive change for all those who live and work within our institutions and communities.

CDCR and CCHCS are committed to building an inclusive respectful workplace. We are determined to attract and hire candidates from all communities and empower employees from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences. We are proud to foster inclusion and drive collaborative efforts at all levels of the Department.

CDCR/CCHCS strives to collaborate with the community to enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs. Incumbents establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within the department, other governmental agencies, health care partners, and communities.

CDCR/CCHCS values all team members. We work cooperatively to provide the highest level of health care possible to a diverse correctional population, which includes medical, dental, nursing, mental health, and pharmacy. We encourage creativity and ingenuity while treating others fairly, honestly, and with respect, all of which are critical to the success of the CDCR/CCHCS mission.

This advertisement is for a Psychologist, CF position(s) located at Avenal State Prison (ASP) in Avenal, Kings County. Please write the position number on your application: 026-220-9283-XXX.

Note: Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.

CDCR/CCHCS employees are encouraged to use their existing CDCR email address on your application.

Department Website: cchcs.ca.gov/careers

Job Description And Duties

Effective July 1, 2025, in accordance with the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) was implemented. PLP 2025 requires each full‑time employee in Bargaining Unit 19, and related Excluded, Exempt and Statutory Exempt employees, will have their base salary reduced by 3 percent and will receive 5 PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through June 2027. Salaries do not reflect the recent changes. Part‑time employees are subject to the same conditions as full‑time employees, on a prorated basis equivalent to their time‑base. Permanent intermittent employees are subject to the same condition as full‑time employees, based on the number of hours worked in the pay period.

This Job Control is listed Until Filled. Applications will be reviewed on the following dates: 02/27/26, 03/13/26, 03/27/26, 04/10/26, 04/24/26, 05/08/26, 05/22/26, 06/05/26, 06/19/26, 07/03/26, 07/17/26, 07/31/26, 08/14/26.

• This classification is subject to Section 5, Hiring‑Above‑Minimum (HAM) Authorization of the California State Civil Service Pay Scales. The authorized HAM rate for this classification is P $11,496, Q $13,937.
• Recruitment and Retention Bonus available for clinicians newly hired with California Correctional Health Care Services.

Please note: Individuals may be eligible to receive a $10,000 one‑time recruitment and retention stipend should they meet the eligibility criteria, including but not limited to remaining employed with CCHCS for six months. Additionally, individuals may be eligible to receive a monthly recruitment and retention differential during their first year with CCHCS (totaling $20,000), should they meet the eligibility criteria.

IMPORTANT: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) employees may be eligible for a $5,000 referral bonus should you be selected for hire and remain employed with CCHCS for 90 days. For a CDCR/CCHCS employee to be considered, a questionnaire must be completed to the best of your knowledge, including the referring employee’s name, classification, PERNR, and work location. The questionnaire will be provided to the selected candidate during the pre‑employment process.

Under the general direction of the Senior Psychologist, Correctional Facility (Supervisor), the Psychologist‑Clinical, Correctional Facility, is responsible for pre‑admission screenings, psychologist evaluation of inmates admitted to the program, crisis intervention, individual therapy, treatment and discharge planning, participating in interdisciplinary team evaluations, and consulting with the psychiatrist, nursing and other staff. The psychologist may be assigned other clinical duties throughout the institution, including participation in staff meetings, institutional committees, and consults with custody staff as well as supervision and training of students, interns, unlicensed psychologists and other staff. The psychologist may also participate in program evaluation and research, and may provide consultation on research design and analysis of data.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug‑free workplace. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.