Psychologist I

State of South Carolina; South Carolina; On-site; USD 103,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) seeks licensed or eligible psychologists for court-ordered evaluations of juvenile justice-involved youth in a forensic setting. Positions offer a $10,000 sign-on bonus and opportunities across regions, with a robust psychology staff and commitment to best practices.

Responsibilities include completing psychosocial evaluations, crisis intervention on-call coverage, and collaboration with nurses, psychiatrists, teachers, and other agencies.

Qualifications

• Doctorate in applied psychology from an accredited college/university; experience in practice.
• Knowledge of forensic psychology and evaluation techniques with youth.
• Ability to administer/interpret tests and communicate findings clearly.

Responsibilities

• Complete court-ordered evaluations of assigned youth within deadlines.
• Prepare comprehensive psychosocial evaluations and ensure timely submission.
• Score and interpret testing; ensure reports are well-written and accurate.
• Document all direct contact with youth in Medicat/JJMS.
• Coordinate with DJJ staff and outside agencies for youth needs.

Skills

Written and oral communication

Test administration and interpretation

Interpersonal skills

Education

Doctorate in applied psychology

Licensed or eligible to practice in SC

Tools

Medicat

JJMS

Job description

WE ARE EXPANDING OUR TEAM AND ARE CURRENTLY RECRUITING FOR:

PSYCHOLOGISTS LICENSED ($111,959)

LICENSED ELIGIBLE ($102,583)

POST-DOCTORAL RESIDENT ($102,583)

THIS POSITION IS ELIGIBLE FOR A $10,000 SIGN-ON BONUS*

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of South Carolina's youth, consider joining the dedicated people of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).

We are recruiting Licensed and Licensed-eligible psychologists for our various regions interested in a career in a forensic setting that specializes in evaluations of juvenile justice-involved youth undergoing court-ordered evaluations. Our setting may be an ideal fit for new career psychologists who have completed pre- or post-doctoral training and are interested in a juvenile population or someone making a career or geographical shift to beautiful South Carolina. We are a dynamic agency with a robust psychology staff with varied backgrounds/experience who offer a high-quality work environment and commitment to best practices in our field. The position is located at the South Carolina Juvenile Justice Community Psychology division.

MISSION:

It is the mission of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to impact and transform young lives, strengthen families, and support safer communities through targeted prevention and rehabilitation.

JOB PURPOSE:

Under general supervision, individual will be expected to complete court-ordered evaluations of assigned youth, as well as provide some clinical and case management services. Evaluations are expected to be completed according to established deadlines.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Completes comprehensive psychosocial evaluations on assigned youth and submits them in a timely manner that is consistent with established deadlines.
• Assigned comprehensive psychosocial evaluations are completed within 30 days of assignment and submitted to the supervisor for review.
• Testing is scored and interpreted accurately, and the report is well-written, edited, and reviewed for accuracy prior to submission for review.
• All direct contact with youth is documented in Medicat and JJMS.
• Consults and coordinates with, and makes referrals to other DJJ staff (e.g., nurses, psychiatrists, special needs coordinators, teachers, security officers, intensive supervision officers, clinicians, etc.) and other relevant outside agencies about youths’ needs.
• Request records relevant to evaluations from DJJ staff and other outside agencies
• Communicate with the DJJ Community Office regarding status of the report and obtain updated information regarding the youth (e.g. court updates, referrals, etc.).
• Court ordered referrals are made, and records requested within two business days of receiving the court order. If referral requests are not acknowledged within three business days, the evaluator will follow up via phone or email and document the follow-up.
• Provides on-call, after-hours crisis intervention coverage and services on a rotating basis with other clinicians.
• Provides crisis intervention on an as-needed basis to youth during regular working hours.
• Answers all incoming calls while performing on-call duties, responds according to policy and/or supervisor directive, and completes all relevant paperwork/documentation within expected timeframes as noted per policy.
• Coordinates psychiatry referrals and interagency staffing as needed or required by court order.
• Ensures psychiatry evaluations are sent to the county and attends interagency staffings.
• Attends trainings as needed or required to improve and enhance skills and knowledge base. All mandatory trainings are completed within expected time frames.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned (e.g., isolation checks, PREA monitoring, etc.)

STATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A doctorate in applied psychology from an accredited college or university and experience in the practice of applied psychology.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Thorough knowledge of current psychological theory, practice, assessment and evaluation techniques with children/adolescents/families, as well as some knowledge of forensic psychological issues and practice.
• Ability to select/administer/interpret psychological tests and measures and effectively communicate findings.
• Must have excellent written and oral communication skills and be able to present clear and comprehensive oral and written reports.
• Must be able to work and communicate effectively with youth, families, staff and other entities.
• On-call duties are required on a rotating basis with other clinical staff.
• Must be able to work in a secure facility setting and environment with incarcerated youth.
• Must be mobile and able to lift 25 lbs.
• Able to work varied hours.
• This position performs job duties relating to the custody, control, transportation, or recapture of youth within the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice and the employee may have direct and indirect contact with youth within the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice. Training applicable to these duties will be provided.

PREFERRED AGENCY REQUIREMENTS:

A doctoral degree in applied psychology from an APA-approved program in psychology and experience in the practice of applied Psychology.

Currently Licensed to practice psychology in SC or licensed eligible with ability to obtain licensure within two (2) years of hire.

(Note: lack of licensure within the expected timeframe may impact employee status.)

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health, dental, and life insurance
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days of sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• State retirement plans and deferred compensation programs
• Discount Programs such as TicketatWork and WeSave

You will be asked to provide a certified transcript if selected for a position requiring a degree. A background investigation will be conducted that may include but is not limited to, criminal records, driver's license, and child abuse registry prior to an offer of employment. Additionally, a medical examination and drug testing will be required. Please provide an explanation for any gaps in employment. A resume may be attached to your application but not substituted for completing the work history section of the application.

Sign-On Bonus: Agencies may give sign-on bonuses to individuals recruited to critical needs jobs at the beginning of their employment with the agency. Bonuses cannot be offered or given to employees moving from other agencies by transfer, promotion or demotion. Sign-on bonuses are limited to one per employee, per year.