Chief of Psychology- Central Office - Decatur, GA
Job Summary
Under broad supervision from the Director of Behavioral Health Services provides oversight and management of mental health services and programs. Directly supervises Regional Behavioral Health Services Administrators who manage and monitor mental health services delivered in assigned facilities. Coordinates with other administrators and staff in the Office of Behavioral Health Services and administrators in other units to ensure effective operation of mental health service. Responsible for keeping the agency current with national mental healthcare standards and community standards of care.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
In coordination with the Director of the OBHS develops policy, procedure and written guidance for implementation of mental health services and programs in secure facilities
Ensures that all mental health staff are appropriately credentialed and capable of providing mental health screening, evaluation and treatment services in accordance with DJJ policy, professional standards, legal statutes and ethical guidelines.
Directly supervises Regional Behavioral Health Service Administrators who monitor and manage operation of mental health services in assigned facilities.
Monitors staffing to ensure that every facility is sufficiently staffed to provide required mental health services and oversees implementation of contingency plans and recruitment to address identified deficiencies in mental health staff coverage.
Develops and implements quality assurance processes to ensure effective implementation of mental health services for youth.
Identifies priorities for staff clinical training and staff development processes to ensure that assessment and treatment services are implemented using evidence-based or evidence-informed practices appropriate for the youth served by this agency.
Coordinates closely with the Director of Behavioral Health Services and other administrative staff to address employee or contractor performance concerns.
Provides clinical consultation for the Behavioral Health Placement Review Panel and other DJJ administrators as needed.
In coordination with the Director of OBHS, monitors mental health service expenditures and provides data to substantiate requests for budget changes.
Monitors utilization of mental health services and trends relating to key mental health indicators.
Advises agency on best practices for implementation of mental health services to justice-involved youth.
Represents the agency on the American Correctional Association (ACA) Behavioral Health Committee and Juvenile Justice Committee.
Serves as a member of the OBHS leadership team to coordinate and plan behavioral health services in secure facilities
Provides training, presentations and other educational opportunities to internal and external stake-holders to provide education about mental health concerns, research and best practice for services to justice-involved youth.
Coordinates with the Office of Training to plan and implement Mental Health Professional Development Conferences and other professional education workshops for mental health staff.
Identify situations and/or practices that may compromise the safety and psychological well-being of youth in secure facilities and coordinate with the OBHS Director of Behavioral Health Services to resolve the issue(s) of concern.
Coordinate with the OBHS Data & Outcomes unit to develop and implement research projects to evaluate efficacy and outcome of mental health services.
Coordinate with other agencies to develop and coordinate mental health service delivery in the public domain.
Consults with the Offices of Legal Services and Investigations as requested
Participates in promoting grant funding of services to youth both internal and external to the agency
Provides consultation to JPPS and community staff with regards to mental health care of committed youth
Serves as the agency’s liaison to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) Office of Forensic Services for youth who are determined to be incompetent to proceed and are in need of placement through DJJ.
Reviews research proposals that involve mental health procedures or concerns
Collaborates with academic institutions and other entities to develop and implement research projects that enhance the agency’s understanding of the mental health needs of justice involved youth and/or effectiveness of mental health programs or therapeutic approaches.
This document provides descriptive information about the position listed above, however the actual work performed may vary. The information contained herein should be used as a guideline only. The Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) reserves the right to make changes to this document as deemed necessary, with or without advance written notice. Questions regarding the content of this description may be directed to the DJJ Office of Human Resources.
Minimum Qualifications
Doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology from an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited college or university, current Georgia license to practice psychology, and three (3) years of experience at the lower-level Psychologist 3 (HCP142) or equivalent.
Note: License may be temporary, provisional, or permanent.
Preferred Qualifications
Five (5) or more years of progressive leadership or supervisory experience in psychological services within juvenile justice, corrections, public behavioral health, or similarly complex systems
Demonstrated experience overseeing statewide or multi-site clinical operations, including workforce supervision, program implementation, and quality assurance.
Experience developing, implementing, and monitoring clinical policies, practice standards, and evidence-based treatment models.
Strong background in risk/needs assessment, forensic psychology, and treatment planning for justice-involved youth.
Experience collaborating with executive leadership, legal counsel, policy review bodies, and external partners.
Knowledge of budget development, contract oversight, and resource allocation related to psychological services.
Prior experience supporting or leading system reform initiatives, pilot programs, or organizational change efforts.
Extensive experience conducting forensic psychological assessments and providing treatment for justice-involved youth within secure or correctional settings.
Direct clinical experience providing behavioral health services to youth in juvenile justice, correctional, or residential treatment facilities.
Demonstrated supervisory and leadership experience overseeing psychologists, clinicians, or multidisciplinary behavioral health teams for justice-involved youth within secure or correctional settings.
Proven experience implementing and overseeing evidence-based psychological treatment programs for justice-involved youth.
Strong working knowledge of forensic mental health standards, legal considerations, and competency-related evaluations in juvenile justice systems.
Demonstrated experience overseeing statewide or multi-site clinical operations, including workforce supervision, program implementation, and quality assurance.
Experience developing, implementing, and monitoring clinical policies, practice standards, and evidence-based treatment models.
Experience collaborating with executive leadership, legal counsel, policy review bodies, and external partners.
Knowledge of budget development, contract oversight, and resource allocation related to psychological services.
Benefits:
In addition to a competitive salary & benefits, GA Department of Juvenile Justice is part of a statewide initiative called Total Rewards that seeks to attract and retain employees by supplementing their base pay and benefits with programs designed to improve the quality of their work environment and lead to greater job satisfaction and work/life balance. Eligible employees are offered generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave. For more information, visit https://djj.georgia.gov/Online-Applications/employee-benefits
We are a qualified employer for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
THIS IS AN INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
THIS IS AN UNCLASSIFIED POSITION.
THE SELECTED APPLICANT FOR THE POSITION WILL BE SUBJECT TO A REFERENCE CHECK AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK, WHERE APPLICABLE
PLEASE INCLUDE ALL RELEVANT JOB INFORMATION ON THE APPLICATION FOR CONSIDERATION. ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE PRESCREENED.
DJJ IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER