Chief of Psychology - C797 - HQ

Chief of Psychology - C797 - HQ

Salary

$207,686.00 Annually

Location

Thurston County - Tumwater, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Job Number

HS-HQ-2

Department

Dept. of Corrections

Division

HS - HQ

Opening Date

08/12/2026

Closing Date

8/18/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Chief of Psychology

Tumwater, WA

Yearly Salary: $207,686

The Department of Corrections is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual for the role of Chief of Psychology. This is a full-time position.

This position provides clinical oversight and direction for the delivery of mental health assessment and treatment services delivered at MCC. During times of staff vacancies, this position may provide direct supervision of Psychology Associates. This position provides SME consultation to major divisions within DOC to include Prisons, Classification and TDU. This position also leads the Quality Assurance (QA) plan for the Mental Health (MH) Unit to include the development of the protocols and structure of QA activities for MH. This position is also part of the HQ Mental Health team which determines policy and protocol for the delivery of mental health services in WA DOC.

A completed application packet will include:

A detailed resume

A cover letter

Three professional references

Application assessment will be ongoing, and the hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time during the recruitment process. It is to the applicants advantage to apply as early as possible.

"This recruitment could be used to fill multiple permanent or non-permanent positions."

Duties

Clinical Oversight:

• Clinical Oversight is the evaluation of the clinical practice of Psychologist 4s to ensure their adherence to appropriate clinical practice, ensuring the quality of the assessment and treatment services provided to our patients. This review protects the agency from risk associated with poor clinical practice. Clinical Oversight review includes the evaluation of documentation of services provided to incarcerated individuals to ensure that services have met quality standards. This evaluation will include the assessment, development of a treatment plan and the treatment services provided. In compliance with CQIP, this incumbent will provide Clinical Oversight Monitoring for the Psychologist 4's at MCC. During times of a Psych 4 vacancy, this position will provide clinical supervision/oversight to the Psychology Associates at these facilities. These reviews will include (but are not limited to) chart reviews and audits, site visits, and case consultations. Each Psychologist 4 will be provided with at least one Clinical Oversight meeting annually during which the outcomes of the Clinical Oversight evaluation will be discussed. Any recommendations for improvements will be provided to Psychologist 4.
• An annual report will be provided to the administrative supervisor of each Psychologist 4 providing an assessment of their clinical work, as determined by the Clinical Oversight process described above, as well as observed leadership skills.
• Consult with the administrative supervisor on any disciplinary action that is needed for MH staff at these locations.
• Mentor Psych 4s as leaders of their teams to include providing effective clinical supervision to their staff.

Quality Assurance:

• In collaboration with HS QA leadership, plan, develop and implement a QA plan for MH services throughout DOC. At this time much of the QA work is focused on ensuring that there is adequate documentation of staff expectations through Protocols and Guidelines. The work for this incumbent will include development of Protocols, Guidelines, and forms to support Policies 630.500, 630.550 and 320.265. These Protocols and Guidelines will specifiy the responsibilities of staff to meet the objectives identified in the Policies.
• At MCC, ensure clinical practice meets with the expectations of DOC Policy and Protocol, to include utilizing established treatment practices in both individual and group therapy modalities.
• Review documentation in the health care charts and OMNI-HS with supervisees to ensure that clinical practice meets with the expectations of DOC
• Lead mental health teams to discuss outcomes of clinical documentation review and develop action plans for any areas in need of remediation.
• Assist with the development of a method to evaluate treatment outcomes.

MH Leadership Team:

• A member of the MH Leadership team which determines Policy, Protocol and process for the delivery of MH services in DOC
• Responsible for mentoring Psych 4s to be compliant and successful in the implementation of Policy, Protocol and Process
• Provide back-up for the absence of colleagues and the Director of Behavioral Health in HS Leadership meetings such as Patient Safety, Mortality Review, Max Committee and MH Transfer Committee.
• Provide expert consultation about mental health services as well as incarcerated individuals to outside agencies. This will include consultation with stakeholders such as Disability Rights Washington (DRW) and the Office of Correctional Ombuds (OCO). The content of this consultation may include providing information about the implementation of Policies, Protocols and Guidelines and how that might inform the care provided to particular individuals. Consultation will also include responding to questions about the choice of one direction of treatment over another, which requires a high level of expertise in the field.
• Conduct Psychological Autopsies, as needed, in response to suicides within the prison setting. Produce reports to assist in the identification of any patterns or system concerns that could reduce future suicides. A Psychological Autopsy is a specialized evaluation conducted when a person has died by suicide. This in-depth analysis of available information helps to better understand the factors contributing to a persons death and how such events may be prevented in the future. Participate in other Critical Incident Reviews outside of Psychological Autopsies as needed.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• A valid, unblemished license to practice psychology in Washington state.
• Five (5) years post-doctoral psychology experience including 3 years supervising other professional psychologistsCompetencies:
• Demonstrated skills and ability to manage complex, multi-disciplinary clinical services to ensure the agency is meeting the required needs of patients in our statewide system.
• Strong interpersonal skills, experience in directing mental health operations, strategic and operations planning, strong systems/program design skills.
• Strong ability to work and communicate effectively with other professionals across all DOC divisions, as well as with external stakeholders.
• Familiar with the most current literature in psychology and skilled with methods of evidence-based research as applied to the practice of psychology.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in Psychology from an APA accredited school.
• Experience working in a correctional setting.
• Knowledgeable about statutory and case law, and standards related to forensic psychology.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. Thats why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

01

Do you possess a valid, unblemished license to practice psychology in Washington state?

• Yes
• No

02

If you selected Yes to question 1, can you list your license number and state issued

03

Do you possess a min. of Five (5) years post-doctoral psychology experience including 3 years supervising other professional psychologists?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess demonstrated skills and ability to manage complex, multi-disciplinary clinical services to ensure the agency is meeting the required needs of patients in our statewide system?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you possess a strong interpersonal skills, experience in directing mental health operations, strategic and operations planning, strong systems/program design skills?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you possess a strong ability to work and communicate effectively with other professionals across all DOC divisions, as well as with external stakeholders?

• Yes
• No

07

Are you familiar with the most current literature in psychology and skilled with methods of evidence-based research as applied to the practice of psychology?

• Yes
• No

08

Do you possess a Doctoral degree in Psychology from an APA accredited school?

• Yes
• No

09

Do you possess experience working in a correctional setting?

• Yes
• No

10

Do you possess the knowledge about statutory and case law, and standards related to forensic psychology?

• Yes
• No

11

3100 - Are you a current DOC employee?

• Yes
• No

12

3100 - How did you hear about this opportunity?

• Careers.wa.gov; jobs.doc.wa.gov; or governmentjobs.com
• Indeed
• DOC social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter)
• Job/career fair
• Job boards (Monster. ZipRecruiter, GlassDoor, CareerBuilder)
• WorkSource
• Veteran outreach
• Referral from current DOC employee
• Other

13

3100 - If hired for this position, do you currently possess required documents to allow you to legally work within the United States? (The below link lists acceptable documents: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents)

• Yes
• No

14

3100 - If hired for this position, will you require employer sponsorship, either now or in the future?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov