Associate Psychologist (NY Helps)

Minimum Qualifications Transfer: One year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in this title or in a title eligible for 70.1 transfer.

In addition, you must have a doctoral degree in a field of psychology.

Open to the Public: This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).

Earned doctoral degree in a field of psychology;

AND

either a one-year, full-time clinical internship, or traineeship; OR

one year of psychology experience in a clinical setting, under the supervision of a Licensed Psychologist.

Duties Description The Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS), Division for Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) is seeking an Associate Psychologist to work as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team. In the Juvenile Justice residential setting/facility, the Associate Psychologist is responsible for the following:

• Admission screening, including mental status exam and suicide assessment.

• 30 day assessment, including administration of various mental health and substance use screens, youth and collateral interviews, and record review to develop a psychosocial assessment and subsequent mental health treatment plan.

• Collaboration and treatment planning with youths assigned psychiatrist as indicated.

• Individual and group counseling and psychotherapy.

• Treatment reviews.

• Cognitive and other psychological testing as indicated.

• Serve as a member of the facility Committee on Special Education.

• Discharge planning.

The Associate Psychologist works with youth case managers, direct care staff, education and medical staff to develop and enact comprehensive treatment plans aimed at increasing youths' skills in the areas of emotional intelligence, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance.

The Associate Psychologist reports to the Facility Assistant Director for Treatment (ADT) who provides individual and group clinical supervision. A monthly state-wide psychology supervision provides practitioners the opportunity to discuss cases and systems considerations with other psychologists working in DJJOY facilities (of which there are 9). DJJOY provides numerous clinical trainings with accompanying NYS Department of Education approved Continuing Education Units (CEU's).

Additional Comments *For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non- competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At this time, agencies may recruit and hire employees by making temporary appointments. In May 2024, if a temporary NY HELPS employee is satisfactorily performing in the position, the appointment will be changed from temporary pending Civil Service Commission Action to permanent non-competitive and the official probationary period will begin.

At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

Background Investigation Requirements:

1. All prospective employees will be investigated through a Criminal Background Check (CBC), which includes State and federal Criminal History Record Checks. All convictions must be reported; conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, or any falsified or omitted information on the prospective appointee's employment application, may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case will be determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of State and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Prospective employees will be fingerprinted in order to obtain a record of their criminal history information, and may be required to pay any necessary fees.

2. All prospective employees will be screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Prospective employees will be required to pay any necessary fees.

3. For Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) prospective appointees will be checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Prospective employees whose names appear on the SEL as having been found responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse or neglect will be barred from appointment and may have their names removed from the eligible list(s) for the title(s) if applicable.

The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is an equal opportunity employer. OCFS does not discriminate based upon age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, military or veteran status, sex, disability (including pregnancy-related conditions), predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status or status as a victim of domestic violence, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We devote special attention to dismantling racial injustice and recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We are committed to the diversity of our staff, and encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply. All applicants must be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment of inclusion that affirms and celebrates the backgrounds, learned and lived expertise, whole identities, and individual perspectives of our staff. Applicants of all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to self-identify during the application process.