SENIOR PSYCHOLOGIST, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY (SPECIALIST) - HIGH DESERT STATE PRISON

This position is located at High Desert State Prison (HDSP) in Susanville, CA, Lassen County. Main communication will be through email; ensure your application includes a valid email address.

About the Facility

High Desert State Prison (HDSP) is situated approximately 96 miles west of Reno, NV, among the Sierra Nevada mountains, near pristine lakes, rivers, hiking trails, and Lassen National Volcanic Park. HDSP's mission is to provide constitutional medical, dental, and mental health care in a timely, safe, and efficient manner, addressing preventative health services, chronic disease management, and public health issues to reduce unnecessary morbidity and mortality.

The vision of HDSP is to enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment, and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs. The mission is to facilitate the successful reintegration of individuals in care back to their communities by equipping them with tools to be drug-free, healthy, and employable members of society.

About the Organization

CDCR and CCHCS are committed to transforming the correctional landscape to create safer, more professional, and fulfilling environments for employees, the incarcerated population, and those supervised in communities. Through systemwide improvements grounded in proven and emerging practices, the organizations aim to strengthen rehabilitation, enhance workplace satisfaction, and support successful reentry into the community.

CDCR and CCHCS foster an inclusive and respectful workplace, attracting and hiring candidates from diverse communities and empowering employees from various backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences. The organizations encourage creativity, ingenuity, and fair, honest, and respectful treatment of all individuals.

About the Role

Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Psychologist, Correctional Facility (Specialist) serves as the clinical systems expert and provides psychological consultation related to the institution’s health care performance management programs and processes. The role acts as an advisor to institution executives and liaises with the Statewide Quality Officer, Quality Management Section staff, statewide executives in various disciplines, other institution Chief Quality Officers (CQO), and other stakeholder groups.

Pay and Benefits

Effective July 1, 2025, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) reduces the base salary of full-time employees in Bargaining Unit 19 by 3% and provides 5 hours of PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through June 2027. Salaries listed do not reflect this change.

• Recruitment and Retention Bonus: Newly hired clinicians may be eligible for a $10,000 one-time stipend after six months of employment, as well as a monthly recruitment and retention differential during their first year (totaling $20,000), contingent on meeting eligibility criteria.
• Referral Bonus: CDCR/CCHCS employees may be eligible for a $5,000 referral bonus if the referred candidate is hired and remains employed for 90 days. A questionnaire must be completed during the pre-employment process.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the clinical systems expert for psychological consultation related to health care performance management programs and processes.
• Advise institution executives on psychological and clinical matters.
• Act as a liaison with the Statewide Quality Officer, Quality Management Section staff, statewide executives, and other stakeholders.

Requirements

• Possession of a valid license as a Psychologist issued by the California Board of Psychology.
• An earned Doctorate Degree in Psychology from an educational institution meeting the criteria of Section 2914 of the Medical Board of California's Business and Professions Code.
• Either:
  • One year of experience in California state service performing the duties of a Psychologist Clinical, Correctional Facility, or Staff Psychologist (any specialty); or
  • Two years of postdoctoral, postinternship experience in the practice of psychology involving assessment and treatment, and either training, research, consultation, or program planning in mental health services.

Unlicensed individuals may be admitted into the examination and appointed but must secure a valid license within three years of appointment (or five years for part-time employment). Unlicensed individuals recruited from outside California may be appointed for a maximum of two years, during which they must obtain licensure.