Psychologist - Sheriff's Office

Summary

Under administrative direction from the Sheriff, is responsible for performing in-house psychological services for the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. The position will play a key role on the leadership team through operational support, guidance, assessment, intervention, organizational support and services for the unique working conditions, stressors, trauma, and other non-traditional aspects of public safety employees and their families.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and implements various programs, interventions and coping strategies that address the stressors, mental health effects, emotional health effects, physical effects, and trauma of the unique work environment

• Acts as incident coordinator and key point of contact to assemble teams and strategies for all critical incidents, trauma interventions, debriefings, extreme circumstance support, specialized cases, crisis management, post crisis management and line of duty deaths support

• Assists leadership to ensure officers and staff adhere to a strict code of laws and ethics; assess suitability of potential candidates; provide insight and approaches to handle the mental health effects of officers, staff and their families

• Consults with leadership on predicting outcomes of various situations, offering therapeutic approaches, profiling actions of staff to identify key signs to identify stress, grief, shock, and all other concerns

• Trains officers on basic psychology; conducts intervention analysis; offers cognitive behavioral therapy options; offers stress management training; and prepares training to officers for rigors of the position and environment

• Conducts on-site interviews to gain insight into issues or problems; collects data on individuals through historical information, observations, and testing

• Develops and presents integrated training to staff on stress reduction techniques, suicide intervention, leadership development; crisis management and other topics to assist in the effectiveness of the overall safety, health and conformity to laws and ethics

• Evaluates information to identify causes of specific issues, concerns, or individuals and determines the best approach by utilizing all available resources available; makes referrals for alcohol and drug prevention programs; forms and coordinates peer support group programs;

• Provides assessments of personal situations, environments, frequent encounters, and other various situations that will shed light on the inner workings of the environment and staff

• Reviews research and stays up to date on the psychological principles, training and application of behavioral science and mental health principles concerning public safety officers, their families, department and community

• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university by the American Psychological Association, with a Ph.D. in Psychology and four (4) years of experience in clinical psychology

• Comprehensive knowledge of psychological principles, training and application of behavioral science and mental health principles concerning public safety officers, their families, department and community; comprehensive knowledge of Federal, State, and County laws and regulations, applicable to mental health programs and services; Local, statewide, and national mental health delivery systems; principles, techniques, and practices of effective mental health and public administration;; and principles and techniques of effective employee supervision, training, development and management

• Ability to represent the County in a professional and effective manner; ability to manage and interpret statistical data, formulate recommendations and write reports; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Commissioners Court, Elected/Appointed Officials, Department/Division Heads, subordinates, co-workers, County Employees and the general public

• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups of individuals utilizing tact and diplomacy; skill in presenting technical information clearly and logically

• Must have License or licensable as a Psychologist under the Texas State Licensing Law

• Must be able to be available by phone 24 hours a day and be on call

• Must secure and maintain a favorable background investigation and clearance from the

BexarCounty Sheriff's Office

• Must have a valid driver's license

• Must clear a pre-employment physical and a pre-employment drug screen test

• May be required to work more than 40 hours during the workweek

Preferred Qualifications:

• Post-Doctoral internship or fellowship in police psychology

• Four (4) years of supervised practice on-site under police psychologist or equivalent

• Four (4) years of field work or on-site experience working with critical incident teams

Working Environment and Physical Demands:

• Working conditions are primarily in an office within a jail environment with occasional exposure to irate or hostile individuals

• Generally working in indoor conditions

• Occasionally moves items weighing up to 5-10 pounds

• Occasionally moves about the office

• Frequently communicates with others; must be able to exchange accurate information

• Generally operates a computer and other office productivity machinery

• Positions self to perform essential functions

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position

Supplemental Information

Workstations with internet access are available, if needed, to view job postings and apply online at 211 S Flores, San Antonio, TX 78204, 8am - 5pm, Monday through Friday. Phone: 210-335-2545.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Bexar County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to Workplace Diversity.

We are committed to providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enableindividualswith disabilities to perform the essential functions.