Job Description
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Staff Psychologist II
Perform highly complex (seniorlevel) psychological work within the agency's Victim and Employee Support Services (VESS). Work includes providing a comprehensive program of psychological services to agency employees and their families to include program design and implementation; diagnosing and counseling clients; developing and delivering training; providing consultation and training to VESS clinicians and leadership within other agency departments; and crisis intervention. May involve assisting with preemployment psychological evaluations. This position requires strong clinical judgement, knowledge of law enforcement culture, and ability to operate effectively within a paramilitary organizational structure. Prepare reports and conduct special projects and research as directed. Work is performed under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment.
Staff Psychologist III
Perform advanced and/or managerial (seniorlevel) psychological work within the agency's Victim and Employee Support Services. Work includes providing a comprehensive program of psychological services to agency employees and their families to include program design and implementation; diagnosing and counseling clients; developing and delivering training; providing consultation and training to VESS clinicians and leadership within other agency departments; and crisis intervention. May involve assisting with preemployment psychological evaluations. This position requires strong clinical judgement, knowledge of law enforcement culture, and ability to operate effectively within a paramilitary organizational structure. May supervise the work of others, prepare reports, and conduct special projects and research as directed. Work is performed under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:
Staff Psychologist II
1. Conduct research, develop and implement programs and interventions that address the stressors, mental health effects, emotional health effects, physical effects, and trauma of the unique work environment.
2. Develop and present training to employees with the goal of increasing overall wellness, resilience, and job effectiveness. Topics may include stress management; work performance enhancement; basic psychology in law enforcement work; crisis intervention; suicide prevention; substance misuse; critical incident reactions, etc.
3. Provide professional and confidential treatment in a voluntary counseling program for agency employees and their families; make referrals and maintain followup evaluations on employees requiring additional psychological services from outside facilities; and provide appropriate crisis support and other group intervention services.
4. Facilitate initial and follow up support of personnel involved in officer involved shootings, critical incidents, line of duty injuries/death, and mass casualties. This includes individual and group debriefings. May include onscene response.
5. Provide consultation to the regional behavioral health professionals and peer team for both routine treatment services and/or crisis situations.
6. Act as a consultant on workgroups and special projects requiring psychological expertise. This may include threat assessment workgroups and specialized units within the agency.
7. Consult with various levels of agency management and/or individual workgroups regarding solutions to ongoing or anticipated problems, including but not limited to personnel conflicts and problematic behavior in the workplace; Coordinate fitness for duty evaluations when appropriate and/or ordered by the Director or designee.
8. Engage in operational support through field visits and training observation for law enforcement officers. Develop initiatives and strategies to improve first responders¿ mental health, psychological safety, and wellness.
9. May conduct psychological evaluations for recruit school applicants, communications operator applicants, promotional candidates, and for other specialized workgroups such as Crisis Negotiation Unit, S.W.A.T team, and undercover work.
10. Travel locally and within the state as needed to accomplish position objectives. Travel to more than one work location and overnight travel may be required.
11. Attends work regularly and observes approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies. Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work additional hours or at times outside traditional office hours. This position may be subject to oncall scheduling.
12. Perform other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to assisting in critical incident response as well as acting as designee for supervisory tasks when appropriate or necessary. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Staff Psychologist III
1. Conduct research, develop and implement programs and interventions that address the stressors, mental health effects, emotional health effects, physical effects, and trauma of the unique work environment.
2. Develop and present training to employees with the goal of increasing overall wellness, resilience, and job effectiveness. Topics may include stress management; work performance enhancement; basic psychology in law enforcement work; crisis intervention; suicide prevention; substance misuse; critical incident reactions, etc.
3. Provide professional confidential treatment in a voluntary counseling program for commissioned and noncommissioned agency employees and their families. Provide assessment, referral, and case management for employees requiring additional psychological services from outside facilities; and provide support and other group intervention services as appropriate.
4. Facilitate initial and follow up support of personnel involved in officer involved shootings, critical incidents, line of duty injuries/death, and mass casualties. This includes individual and group debriefings. May include onscene response.
5. Provide clinical consultation and supervision to the regional behavioral health professionals and peer team for both routine treatment services and/or crisis situations.
6. Oversee the preparation of regional productivity reports.
7. Act as a consultant on workgroups and special projects requiring psychological expertise. This may include threat assessment workgroups and specialized units within the agency.
8. Consult with various levels of agency leadership and/or individual workgroups regarding solutions to ongoing or anticipated problems, including but not limited to employee performance concerns, problematic behavior in the workplace, workplace wellness, post critical incident support, specific workgroup needs; Coordinate fitness for duty evaluations when appropriate and/or ordered by the Director or designee.
9. Engage in operational support through field visits and training observation for law enforcement officers. Develop initiatives and strategies to improve first responders¿ mental health, psychological safety, and wellness.
10. May conduct psychological evaluations for recruit school applicants, communications operator applicants, promotional candidates, and for other specialized workgroups such as Crisis Negotiation Unit, S.W.A.T team, and undercover work.
11. Travel locally and within the state as needed to accomplish position objectives. Travel to more than one work location and overnight travel may be required.
12. Attends work regularly and observes approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies. Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work additional hours or at times outside traditional office hours. This position may be subject to oncall scheduling.
13. Perform other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to assisting in critical incident response as well as acting as designee for supervisory tasks when appropriate or necessary. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS and REQUIREMENTS:
Education: Graduation from an accredited fouryear college or university with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), or Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology.
Experience:
Staff Psychologist II
Minimum of one (1) year of fulltime work experience in providing direct psychological services, including clinical crisis intervention and/or trauma counseling and a range of educational, psychological, and behavioral interventions for the management of stress reactions. Successfully completed an internship in clinical or counseling psychology or supervised experience (e.g., pre or postdoctoral employment, internships, residencies or a combination) and has documented training and supervised experience in group, individual and behavioral therapies, psychological assessment, and psychological testing. Experience conducting preemployment psychological evaluations and/or working within a law enforcement culture is preferred.
Staff Psychologist III
Minimum of one (1) year full time work experience as a licensed psychologist providing direct psychological services including clinical crisis intervention and/or trauma counseling and a range of educational, psychological, and behavioral interventions for the management of stress reactions. Experience conducting preemployment psychological evaluations and/or working within a law enforcement culture is preferred.
Licensure and/or Certification: Possess and maintain licensure by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists as a Psychologist. Must possess a valid driver license from state of residence. If applicant has valid out of state licensure, licensure by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists as a Psychologist must be obtained within three (3) months of start date.
Clinical Knowledge: Knowledge of the principles of assessment and treatment of acute and traumatic stress reactions and disorders; brief therapy; crisis intervention; grief; victimology; and the psychological response to routine and critical incident stress. Knowledge of the principles of choosing appropriate screening instruments, administering psychological screening instruments, interpreting test data and identifying potential behavioral deficits in an applicant's ability to perform essential job functions in conducting a preemployment screening process. Familiarity with the essential job functions of police officers and with psychological assessment research relevant to screening law enforcement officers is preferred. Ability to make quick and accurate judgment calls during crisis situations.
Supervisory/Managerial/Leadership Skills: Knowledge of management and supervisory methods and principles, team dynamics, and operational practices. Strong leadership skills with the ability to direct and motivate others, maintain persuasive and credible presentation style at all levels of the organization, and to make sound workrelated judgments and decisions. Exemplify the agency's core mission to Protect and Serve Texas and the values of integrity, teamwork, accountability and excellence. Able to organize and implement program activities. Promote teamwork among VESS staff to accomplish program goals and objectives that support the strategic plan. Ability to make quick and accurate judgment calls when overseeing clinician work or during crisis consultation.
Interpersonal Skills:P Must demonstrate an ability to exercise poise, tact, diplomacy and an ability to establish and maintain positive, working/professional relationships with internal/external customers.
Presentation/Communication Skills: Must be able to construct and deliver clear, concise, and professional presentations to a variety of audiences and/or individuals. Excellent verbal and written communication skills to include complex correspondence drafting, English composition, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Ability to make quick and accurate judgment calls regarding the need to provide information to Division personnel. Communicate psychological information and professional opinions effectively in formal training situations and in business and other routine organizational interactions.
Organizational and Prioritization Skills: Must be organized, flexible, and able to effectively prioritize in a multidemand and constantly changing environment; able to meet multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines without sacrificing accuracy, timeliness or professionalism.
Research and Comprehension: Must demonstrate ability to quickly and efficiently access relevant information, and be able to utilize and/or present research and conclusions in a clear and concise manner.
Analytical Reasoning/Attention to Detail: Must demonstrate an ability to examine data/information, discern variations/similarities, and be able identify trends, relationships and causal factors, as well as grasp issues, draw accurate conclusions, and solve problems.
Technology: Proficiency with Microsoft Office and appropriate levels of proficiency with utilized software and systems (e.g. CAPPS, SharePoint) and be able to learn new software/systems.
Confidentiality and Protected Information: Must demonstrate an ability to responsibly handle sensitive
