Staff Psychologist

Support our law enforcement's mental health and well-being. Join us at Harris County Sheriff's Office as a mental health provider. 

Be a part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary team working to optimize the emotional health and well-being of Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) employees and their families and to care for those who have devoted their lives to protecting the public with honor and courage. HCSO’s Behavioral Health Division develops and implements consultation, education, prevention, training, and support programs. We utilize an approach in which we actively engage in occupational, operational, developmental, and interventional domains.
 
We invite applicants with training and experience in providing evidence-based assessment, therapy, and prevention/education programs to high-tempo, high-risk populations such as Law Enforcement or Corrections personnel, other First Responders, or similar populations (e.g., Military), who have licensed psychologists (or license-eligible) in Texas.
 
Duties and Responsibilities 

• Support development, coordination, and implementation of psychological service delivery programs, including small clinic ops, education, prevention, and outreach programs, teaching, decentralized consultation, and program evaluation
• Provide counseling to improve employees and their immediate family members' improved personal, interpersonal, and occupational functioning.
• Develop and conduct in-service training at HCSO Academy in psychological wellness programs such as alcohol abuse prevention, stress management, anger management, suicide prevention, marriage enrichment, post-traumatic stress management, etc.
• Conduct personnel screening to address an employee's immediate reaction to a critical incident, determine whether a crisis response has occurred; and determine if evidence of impairment requires further assessment or intervention.
• Conduct Psychological evaluations to evaluate: the possible presence of psychological, emotional, cognitive, or behavioral problems that may require preliminary intervention or further evaluation; or to determine personnel's continuation of long-term pro-active assignments.
• Provide counseling for crisis and non-crisis situations
• May provide consultation on operations including, but not limited to, S.W.A.T, Hostage Negotiations, Bomb Squad situations, and threats to County elected officials
• Ensure that all work complies with departmental policies and procedures; federal, state, and local regulations; and licensure, grant, and funding requirements
• Provide mutual aid to other law enforcement and allied agencies to assist with their missions

• Promote an atmosphere that values diversity, equity, and inclusion across all professional activities

• Perform other duties as required within the scope and responsibility of the position

 
This job summary is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Supervisors may, at their discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

• Psy.D. or Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology or a substantive equivalent from an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited institution of higher education
• Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience providing psychological testing, diagnosis, treatment, and counseling; including identifying behavioral, emotional, organic, drug/alcohol, or personality problems and the subsequent development of appropriate programs on an individual basis within a law enforcement environment
• Licensed as or eligible for licensure as a Clinical Psychologist by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists
• Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire)

Knowledge of:

• Psychology, psychometry, psychopathology, and physiological principles
• DSM/ICD diagnostic criteria
• Psychological evaluation methods
• Professional policies, procedures, rules, and regulations
• HIPAA and other federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of health information

Skilled in

• Using psychological assessment techniques and applying mediation procedures
• Interpreting diagnostic evaluations and analyzing behavior
• Preparing and maintaining accurate records, files, and reports
• Exercising independent judgment under minimal supervision
• Supervising and training employees
• Interacting effectively with all levels of management, employees, and outside contacts

Ability to:

• Plan and direct psychological activities and research
• Provide psychological counseling
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public
• Receive supervision from and consult with senior colleagues with experience in law enforcement
• Plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others; and organize workloads

 

• Prior experience in high tempo, high-risk environments (e.g. Military, Law Enforcement, Corrections, emergency medicine, aerospace, or other mission-critical organizations or settings)
• Experience working in programs focused on the health and wellness of, and/or experience in making professional decisions concerning diagnosis and treatment of Law Enforcement or Corrections personnel, other First Responders, or similar populations (e.g., Military)
• Experience communicating effectively with varied audiences, including various levels of management, peers, and trainees
• Demonstrated interpersonal effectiveness and professionalism in working with others in a collaborative, multidisciplinary, team-oriented environment

Work Environment
This job operates primarily in professional office or classroom environments, with some opportunities to deliver services in the field.
 
Physical Demands
This role is sedentary, however, the ability to lift and carry up to 10 pounds is necessary to lift files and/or boxes of files, documents, etc.
 
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work
This is a full-time position.  Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, though there is some flexibility in the schedule.     Hours may vary based on the business needs of the department.
 
Note:

• Applicant submission of Job Request Packet does not guarantee an interview
• To qualify for this position, the required experience, education, and skills must be clearly stated on your application's employment history
• Resumes are welcome, but we do not use any information provided on your resume for qualifications  
• Experience obtained while in the military must also be included as part of your employment history on the application

 
Equal Opportunity Statement
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

Harris County Sheriff's Office employees are exposed to confidential and law enforcement sensitive information.
A thorough background investigation is required to properly evaluate the suitability of applicants for employment.
It is essential that you provide accurate information in all aspects of the process. The process will end for applicants who fail to provide truthful information.

Salary : $118,581 - $132,434