Staff Psychologist (Multiple On-site Positions)

University of California Merced; California; On-site; USD 109,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, Merced is seeking a Staff Psychologist to provide student-centered counseling, assessments, crisis interventions, and outreach across campus. Under CAPS supervision, you will conduct intake assessments, individual and group therapy, and supervise psychology trainees while adhering to HIPAA, FERPA, and CMIA regulations.

The role requires licensure in California, ongoing professional development, and occasional evening/weekend hours.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in clinical psychology or counseling from an accredited institution.
• Doctorate in clinical psychology, counseling psychology or related field from an APA-accredited doctoral program.
• Licensed clinical psychologist (California) with eligible hours.
• Must be currently licensed or eligible for immediate licensure as a psychologist in California; CA licensure within 180 days.
• BLS/CPR Certification through the American Heart Association (required).
• Advanced knowledge of counseling practices and methods and DSM-based diagnosis.
• Ability to supervise pre-doctoral interns and psychology fellows.
• Ability to work with diverse populations and handle stress and ambiguity.
• Experience with intake interviews, assessments, and crisis intervention.

Responsibilities

• DIRECT SERVICES: Conduct intake interviews and provide counseling (individual, couples, group).
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Maintain licensure, attend trainings, supervise trainees.
• CASE MANAGEMENT: Document clinical data, update reports, support data needs for admin.
• ADDITIONAL DUTIES: Represent CAPS in campus events and coordinate with University staff.

Skills

Counseling skills

Assessment expertise

Communication skills

HIPAA/FERPA knowledge

Supervision of trainees

Education

Bachelor's degree in clinical psychology or counseling

Doctorate in clinical psychology or related field (APA-accredited)

Licensed clinical psychologist (CA)

California licensure within 180 days

BLS/CPR Certification (American Heart Association)

Job description

Hiring Range

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The salary range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $109,459 - $123,565.

Job Closing Date

There are 3 Limited Appointments and 1 (one) Career Appointment available.

These positions are represented by UPTE (HX)

Intitial applicant reviews will take place on or around November 2, 2026 and posting will close when all positions filled.

About UC Merced

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and one of the youngest universities to be designated an R1 research university.

With approximately 9,600 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced is a smaller, more intimate campus compared to its sister campuses, while equipped and staffed as a cutting edge, 21st century research institution.

With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships and a growing community in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked in the top 30 among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and #1 for social mobility by the Wall Street Journal, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide world class educational opportunities to dynamic and enterprising students in the Valley and throughout the state.

In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced has launched a rigorous medical education program that will supply the Valley with culturally competent providers dedicated to improving local access to quality care.

The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and is accelerating the continued economic development of the region.

About The Job

Under direct supervision of the Associate Director of Counseling and Psychological Services and designated supervisors, the Staff Psychologist performs individual, couples, and group counseling, psychological assessments, intake evaluations, crisis interventions, and outreaches/workshops to the campus community. May perform other related tasks that are a part of the agency's operations. Ability to function in an environment controlled by HIPAA, FERPA, and CMIA regulations required. Weekend and evening hours may be required throughout the year.

Key Responsibilities

DIRECT SERVICES: Conducts intake interviews with student-clients. Provides psychological assessment, individual, couples, and group counseling to student-patients on a scheduled basis or through crisis intervention. Conducts outreach/workshops to campus community. Represents CAPS and Student Affairs at public relations events, as required. Acts as a campus resource and represents CAPS in the University community. Acts as a liaison between student patients and campus, as needed.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING: Consults with supervisors and staff, as needed. Actively obtains and maintains license as a psychologist in California, including continuing education units. Attends all-staff seminars and meetings. Interacts with staff and students in a professional and ethical manner consistent with the APA Code of Ethics, HIPAA, FERPA, and CMIA regulations. Provide individual and group supervision to psychological trainees, pre-doctoral interns and psychology fellows.

CASE MANAGEMENT: Maintains accurate and ethical clinical documentation on all clinical appointments. Completes clinical documentation according to the format and timelines established by CAPS policies. Responds to Director requests for clinical data needed for administrative reports. Scores and interprets psychological assessment instruments. Acts as primary resource for ensuring accurate psychological assessment scoring, interpretation, and report-writing for all CAPS trainees. Performs additional job-related duties and responsibilities, as requested.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in clinical psychology or counseling from an accredited institution; and
• Must have earned doctorate in clinical psychology, counseling psychology or related field from an APA-accredited doctoral program; and
• Licensed clinical psychologist (equivalent of 1500 hours of supervised experience as a pre-doctoral intern at an APA-accredited or APPIC-member); and
• Must be currently licensed or eligible for immediate licensure as a psychologist in California. Psychologist applicants possessing a valid license in another state must obtain California licensure within 180 days after submitting an application to become licensed in California or from the date of commencement of residency in California, whichever comes first; and
• BLS/CPR Certification through the American Heart Association (required).
• Advanced knowledge and skills in counseling practices and methods as well as developmental tasks and problems encountered by college students. Basic knowledge and skills in psychological assessment practices and methods as well as appropriate ethical, legal, and university standards and regulations.
• Ability to supervise pre-doctoral interns, psychology fellows, and other unlicensed clinical staff.
• Ability to utilize the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) in identifying student-patient diagnoses, when appropriate.
• Ability to work with complex clinical cases. Ability to establish case conceptualizations and treatment plans for all clinical cases. Ability to plan, implement, evaluate, and report activities conducted.
• Ability to work effectively with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Ability to establish rapport with others as a requisite for healthy and therapeutic relationships.
• Ability to deal effectively with a high level of stress, emotionality, and ambiguity. Ability to effectively weigh and evaluate personal needs, client needs, and the aims and policies of the agency and to respond and negotiate these competing needs, as appropriate. Ability to be both consistent and flexible, as circumstances warrant.
• Ability to present oneself in an appropriately personable and professional manner to students and staff. Ability to remain calm and supportive in psychological emergencies and/or crises when provided with appropriate supervision and direction. An advanced level of self-awareness as to how he/she relates to others and an ability to effectively modulate this personal style, as conditions warrant.
• Ability to receive and utilize constructive feedback regarding performance, presentation, and relationships with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and to prepare written and electronic documents. Ability to communicate orally, both in person and by telephone. Ability to communicate via computer email. Ability to use electronic medical record keeping system.
• Ability to occasionally travel to meetings, other campuses, and counseling sites.
• Position requires adherence to CANRA guidelines and is a mandated reporter.
• Candidates must demonstrate commitment to serving underrepresented and/or marginalized populations. Experience working with Black, African-American, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ communities in academia preferred.

Background Check

This position will be required to complete all pre-employment requirements, including a background investigation, the University's credentialing process, and verification of licensure and/or certification through the appropriate California licensing or certifying board(s), as applicable.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

Smoke And Tobacco Free Policy

The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify

All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/