Chief Psychologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This is a limited term position which may be extended or become permanent.
Under the direction of the Chief Medical Officer, the Chief Psychologist assumes administrative responsibilities over the Mental Health Department. The Chief Psychologist provides supervision to line staff and first line supervisors. The Chief Psychologist is responsible for the development of treatment modalities as well as overall quality assurance of mental health services.
Recruitment and Retention Bonus may be available for clinicians newly hired with California Correctional Health Care Services.
Effective May 01, 2022, employees in this class, employed within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and who are physically located at and assigned to the Psychiatric Inpatient Program, shall receive a pay differential equivalent to 15% of their monthly base pay.
Only employees who provide direct patient care, treating patients' in-person, on grounds or at a facility more than 50% of the pay period, are eligible for this pay differential.
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.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• CHIEF PSYCHOLOGIST, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-522155
Position #(s):
435-220-9859-003
Working Title:
CHIEF PSYCHOLOGIST- PLEASANT VALLEY STATE PRISON
Classification:
CHIEF PSYCHOLOGIST, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY $15,619.00 - $19,993.00 P
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Fresno County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
12 Month Limited Term - Full Time
Facility:
Pleasant Valley State Prison
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.
CDCR and 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.
Across our organization, our programs work cooperatively to provide the highest level of health care possible to a diverse correctional population. We encourage creativity and ingenuity while treating others fairly, honestly, and with respect, all of which are critical to the success of the CDCR and CCHCS mission.
This advertisement is for a Chief Psychologist, CF position(s) located at Pleasant Valley State Prison (PVSP), in Coalinga, CA, located in Fresno County. Please write the position number on your application: 435-220-9859-003.
Please Note: Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure to have a valid email address on your application.
Department Website: https://cchcs.ca.gov/careers
Special Requirements
Please do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver's license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver's license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.
Possession of Minimum Qualifications (MQ) will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting MQ's with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the MQ's, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.
Applicants who completed their education outside of the US (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of U.S. course/degree equivalency. Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at NACES | National Association of Credential Evaluation Services .
Candidates new to CCHCS are required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan Fingerprinting, and Tuberculosis (TB) testing prior to appointment followed by department annual TB testing/evaluation thereafter.
When submitting supporting documents, PDF file format is preferred.
CCHCS utilizes E-Verify to confirm candidate's identity and employment authorization. For more information about E-Verify, you may go to www.e-verify.gov/ .
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 7/6/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
California Correctional Health Care Services
Regional Human Resources-Central
Attn: Alexandra Parkhill, Certification Unit
Regional Human Resources - Central
PO Box 5359
Fresno , CA 93755
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
California Correctional Health Care Services
Regional Human Resources-Central
Alexandra Parkhill, Certification Unit
Regional Human Resources - Central
PO Box 5359
Fresno , CA 93755
08:30 AM - 04:30 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Other -
  License: Possession of a valid license as a Psychologist issued by the California Board of Psychology.
• Other -
  Education : If using academic education above the twelfth grade to meet minimum qualifications, include a copy of your degree and/or Informal (Unofficial) School Transcripts.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
*Shall create and promote an equitable and inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated and valued.
Benefits
Benefit information can be found on the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website, www.benefits.calhr.ca.gov/ , and the CalPERS website, www.calpers.ca.gov .
Information on benefits afforded by membership in the California Public Employees' Retirement System can be found on the CalHR Salary and Benefits website at www.benefits.calhr.ca.gov/state-employees/retirement/ .
Information on the benefits and protections provided to public employees by the State Civil Service Act can be found on the CalHR website at Merit System Principles - An Overview - CalHR Website .
This webpage is intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base and length of appointment.
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.
Department Website: https://cchcs.ca.gov/careers
Human Resources Contact:
Alexandra Parkhill
(559) 221-3217
alexandra.parkhill@cdcr.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Christina Rodriquez-Palomares
(559) 935-4900
christina.rodriquez@cdcr.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
CCHCS EEO Office
(000) -
CCHCS_EEO@cdcr.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Examination Information
To obtain list eligibility for the Chief Psychologist, before applying for the position(s), you should first take and pass the examination here CalCareers .
Additional Information
PRIORITY CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO RE-EMPLOYMENT, DEPARTMENTAL RESTRICTION OF APPOINTMENT, STATE RESTRICTION OF APPOINTMENT, AND SURPLUS CANDIDATES.
All methods of appointment may be considered.
State Application Checklist: To prepare for the State application process, please visit Work4CA: State Application Checklist .
Interview Checklist: To prepare for the interview process, please refer to the Work4CA: Interview Checklist .
CCHCS accepts electronic applications. If interested, please submit an electronic application (STD 678) through your CalCareer account at www.calcareers.ca.gov/ . Your application must be submitted on or before the above Final Filing Date.
Paper App (If unable to submit an electronic application): To apply for this position, you may submit a Standard State Application (STD 678) along with copies of your most recent performance report, college transcripts/college diploma (if applicable) and license/certif