PSYCHOLOGIST (HEALTH FACILITY - CLINICAL - SAFETY)

Job Description and Duties

We Are Hiring Psychologists!

Unlicensed Psychologists earn up to $10,951/month
Licensed Psychologists earn up to $13,272/month

The Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero (DSH-A) has some excellent job opportunities for psychologists, including early career psychologists coming off internship. DSH-A is a 1200 bed state hospital serving men under a variety of criminal and civil commitments. DSH-A hires pre-licensed and licensed psychologists with an excellent salary and benefits package. Our department offers a myriad of individual and group supervision opportunities ensuring pre-licensed psychologists accrue all of the hours needed for licensure. DSH-A’s patient population provides psychologists with exceptional experience in inpatient treatment and assessment, as well as interdisciplinary teamwork. We provide training in working with Incompetent to Stand Trial, Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity, Offenders with Mental Health Disorders, and Mentally Ill Inmate populations. We offer training on evidence-based assessment tools such as the START, HCR-20v3, PCL-R, and the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale. Our APA-accredited doctoral internship provides opportunities to supervise psychology interns.

The Psychologist will be directed by the Chief Psychologist and/or Senior Psychologist Supervisor in Psychology Services at the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero (ASH). The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties, but not limited to:

• Completing an Admission Psychological Assessment (APA) to further delineate and clarify psychiatric and psychological diagnoses
• Conducting intellectual and cognitive assessments of all patients when clinically indicated
• Conducting psychological assessments
• Responsible for creating and monitoring behavioral interventions
• Providing timely feedback to the patient, the results of psychological assessments and evaluations and complete appropriate documentation of this interaction
• Delivering treatment services
• Performing treatment team duties
• If qualified, licensed psychologists provide clinical supervision to pre-doctoral interns and unlicensed professionals as requested by the Chief Psychologist

In order to be considered for this job vacancy, you must satisfy one of the following requirements:

1. BE LIST ELIGIBLE: Successfully complete the competitive State civil service exam pertaining to this classification at Psychologist (HF-C-S) Exam Bulletin , OR
2. BE TRANSFER ELIGIBLE: Have current employment with the State of California in the same classification or in a classification that is comparable (employees who wish to be considered based on transfer eligibility must meet the minimum qualifications of the classification per DPA Rule 250), OR
3. BE REINSTATEMENT ELIGIBLE: Have obtained previous permanent employment with the State of California in the same classification or in a classification that is comparable.

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You will find additional information about the job in the .

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.

• The Medical Staff of DSH-Atascadero requires Psychologist (HF-C-S) candidates meet the Medical Staff criteria for allied health professional privileging set forth in the facility bylaws. Candidates applying for both licensed and unlicensed positions must submit the required documents listed under the Required Application Documents Section.

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: 4/10/2026

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

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.
• Other - You MUST include a copy of your current CV that includes months and years of experience.
• Other - You MUST include a formal letter of interest outlining experience working with the mentally ill for a period of 6 months or more.
• Other - You MUST include transcripts from a doctoral institution.
• Other - You MUST include a copy of your graduate diploma with your application.

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)
• Work life balance (some positions qualify for flexible work hours and schedules, and a minimum of 10 days of paid leave annually – specific accrual rates can be found here )
• 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 benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

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 application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website:

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

Hiring Unit Contact:
Dr. Matthew Hennessy
(805) 468-2388
[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

• Please 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
• Applications will be screened and only the most competitive will be offered an interview.
• 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.
• This position requires candidates to take and pass a Drug Screening Test. You will be required to take and pass the drug screening test prior to being hired.

Psychologists may be entitled to the following additional benefits:

• $500 a month clinical supervision pay differential
• Alternate work schedules available
• Up to 36 hours paid Continuing Education leave per licensing cycle
• Up to 40 hours paid Professional Education and Training Leave annually
• License Renewal Reimbursement