CHIEF PSYCHIATRIST, CORRECTIONAL AND REHAB SERVICES (SAFETY)

Department of State Hospitals

JC-518271

Chief Psychiatrist - Assistant Medical Director
CHIEF PSYCHIATRIST, CORRECTIONAL AND REHAB SERVICES (SAFETY)

$31,174.00 - $38,637.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 5/28/2026

Application Methods:

Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)

By Mail

Drop-off

Job Description and Duties

Board Certified up to $463,644 Annual Base Salary
Board Eligible up to $452,328 Annual Base Salary

** Above salaries include 15% pay differential **

The Chief Psychiatrist (C&RS, Safety) - Assistant Medical Director will be directed by the Medical Director in the Medical Staff Department at the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero (ASH). The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties but not limited to:

• Direct clinical supervision of the Senior Psychiatrist Supervisors under the direction of the Medical Director or designee.
• Assure that performance standards of psychiatric practice conform to hospital policy, Department of State Hospitals (DSH) policy, Medical Staff standards, and relevant State laws.
• Perform timely, accurate, and appropriate employee annual clinical performance evaluations for the Senior Psychiatrist Supervisors that reflect essential duties as stated in the duty statement.
• Consult with the Medical Director in the assignment of psychiatrists to units.
• Applies and demonstrates knowledge of correct methods of Therapeutic Strategies and Interventions (TSI).
• Assist in the maintenance of a safe and secure environment through response to physical assaults, escape attempts or other major patient disturbance, and assist in the management of the conduct of the patients.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Eligibility : To be considered for this career opportunity, applicants must have eligibility by way of one of the following: reachable on a certification list, have transfer eligibility, or have reinstatement eligibility.


*It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications specified in the examination bulletin/classification specifications.*



If you do not have eligibility, you must take the exam. The examination is a separate process from applying for this vacancy.

Working Conditions

• This position requires you to work within the Secured Treatment Area (STA).

• This position is In-Office with the option of one (1) day of telework per week.

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-518271

Position #(s):

455-500-9774-001

Working Title:

Chief Psychiatrist - Assistant Medical Director

Classification:

CHIEF PSYCHIATRIST, CORRECTIONAL AND REHAB SERVICES (SAFETY)

$31,174.00 - $38,637.00



Salary Information :

Range U (Board Eligible): $31,174 - $37,694

Range V (Board Certified): $31,773 - $38,637



Salary shown includes 15% pay differential.

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:

San Luis Obispo County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Facility:

DSH - Atascadero

Department Information

The Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero is a secure public sector hospital providing inpatient forensic services for mentally ill adult males who are court committed throughout the State of California. Located on the central coast of California, the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero is in the vicinity of destination locations such as San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, and Morro Bay, with easy access to beautiful beaches, serene natural settings, and many historical landmarks. We invite you to join our professional and talented workforce.

Department Website:

Special Requirements

• The Medical Staff of Department of State Hospitals - Atascadero requires Chief Psychiatrist candidates meet the Medical Staff criteria for privileging set forth in the facility bylaws.

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: 5/28/2026

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 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:

Department of State Hospitals

DSH - Atascadero Postal

Attn: DSH - Atascadero Employment Office

PO Box 7005

Atascadero, CA 93423-7005

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of State Hospitals

DSH - Atascadero Drop Off

DSH - Atascadero Employment Office

10333 El Camino Real

Atascadero, CA 93422

Building 105 - After Hours Drop Box Available

08:00 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 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.

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.

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team! The State of California offers a generous benefits package, including but not limited to:

• Medical Benefits (health, dental, and vision)
• Paid Holidays and leave (family medical leave, military leave, etc)
• Defined benefit retirement program with CalPERS
• Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)
• School loan forgiveness under federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Commute Program
• Employee Wellness Program (discounts to health clubs)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
• ScholarShare (college savings account)
• On-the-job training and professional development
• Most positions qualify for annual raises until you reach the maximum salary for that position, subject to meeting performance standards

Additional


These webpages are 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 position or application process.

Department Website:

Human Resources Contact:
DSH-Atascadero Employment Office
(805) 468-3384
[email protected]

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:
Pearl Melena
(805) 468-2007
[email protected]

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.

Additional Information

• Note: Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.
• Applications postmarked on the final filing date will be accepted.
• Scanned, copied, or faxed applications will not be accepted.
• Applications will be screened and only the most competitive will be offered an interview.
• Any limited-term appointments may transition in to a permanent appointment.
• Selected candidates will be required to submit to a criminal history review utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting.
• This position requires candidates to pass a Medical Evaluation. You will be required to submit to a Medical Evaluation and receive clearance prior to being hired.

Additional Pay Differentials

You may be eligible for a pay differential of:

• 1% of annualized base salary paid as a one-time payment after 12 consecutive qualifying pay periods (QPP), increasing by 1% every 12 QPPs (2% at 24 QPPs, 3% at 36 QPPs, 4% at 48 QPPs, 5% at 60 QPPs), until maxing out at 7% of annualized base salary at 84 QPPs.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.