Job description

The Department of Youth Services (DYS) is the juvenile justice agency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We work with young people who are detained or committed and provide detention, custody, diagnosis, education and support to young people ages 12-21. Most of the youth served are between the ages 14 and 18. The Department promotes positive change for the youth committed to our care, and has been on the forefront of de-institutionalization, in part, by providing adolescent-focused rehabilitation to youth in residential treatment.

The Department of Youth Services employs staff in various professions and backgrounds in order to engage young people in strategies that support positive youth development. As a key member of the residential team, direct-care staff must monitor and provide on-site and immediate intervention of DYS youth in our residential facilities.

For additional information about the Department of Youth Services and its programs please watch: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gyP0kCJ181nBakh9Cc0pNNEyPw7kAoI6/view

The Department of Youth Services (DYS) is seeking a dynamic, experienced and licensed Psychologist to fill the role of the Regional Clinical Coordinator– Western Region. The selected candidate will develop and oversee the psychological services that Western Region DYS programs (both state and provider) provide to the youth in its care, participate as a senior staff member of the DYS Western Regional team, and provide interagency consultation and planning.

The Regional Clinical Coordinator receives clinical supervision from the Agency’s Director of Clinical Services and clinically supervises the Clinical Directors from the Western Regional programs which include: pre-trial detention (bail), assessment, secure and staff secure residential treatment programs.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Direct the psychological services provided to youth in the care of DYS in their region, including: diagnostic evaluations, counseling services, treatment planning and crisis intervention and planning.
• Responsible for ensuring the access and coordination of behavioral health services for youth residing in the community and assigned to the Department’s District Offices.
• Review the psychological needs of youth detained or committed to the Southeast Region through the process of: supervision of the Clinical Directors, reviewing critical incident data, developing treatment plans for high profile youth with serious emotional disorders; and overseeing referrals of youth for specialized services, such as forensic evaluations, sex offender specific treatment etc.
• Evaluate the assessment needs of detained youth by consistently examining the intake and screening process for all Western Region committed youth to ensure consistency and adherence to DYS policies.
• Analyze the counseling services provided to DYS youth in detention, locked secure treatment sites and residential group care programs, to determine their efficacy and consistency of service delivery.
• Provide training to DYS clinical and administrative staff on clinical related topics, such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), suicide prevention, sex offender and violent offender treatment, and family counseling services.
• Develop and maintain interagency collaborations with other state agencies within the Southeast Region to develop resources for treatment of DYS youth.
• Assist Community Reentry Staff in the linkage with Mass Health Payers and Network Providers ensuring access to behavioral health services within the Western Region.
• Provide annual reports to the Regional Director and Director of Clinical Services of their assessment of the clinical quality and service delivery within the Region and make recommendations for program and policy improvement.

Required Qualifications:

• Proficient in the theory, principles, and practices of psychotherapy and developmental psychology including therapeutic techniques used in psychotherapy such as analytic, existential, nondirective, behavior modification.
• Demonstrated proficiency of the principles, practices, and techniques of counseling, motivation and reinforcement techniques, interviewing techniques.
• Ability to identify types and symptoms of mental and/or emotional disorders.
• Understanding of psychological research principles, methods, techniques as well as statistical methods, techniques and statistical sampling.
• Experience with principles and practices of tests and measurements used in ascertaining intelligence, aptitudes, personality, and related mental and physical traits including WAIS, WISC, Rorschach, and Thematic Apperception Test.
• Ability to administer, score, and interpret the results of intelligence, aptitude, and personality tests.
• Ability to communicate effectively, interact with people who are under emotional and/or physical stress, make decisions, act quickly, and maintain a calm manner in stressful and/or emergency situations.
• Capacity to supervise, including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be accomplished, the capabilities of subordinates and available resources; controlling work through periodic reviews and/or evaluations; determining subordinates' training needs and either providing or arranging for such training; motivating subordinates to work effectively; determining the need for disciplinary action; and either recommending or initiating disciplinary action.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the treatment, counseling and/or rehabilitation of juvenile/adult offenders in a residential setting.
• Proven practice working with adolescents and their families, expertise in crisis stabilization and management.
• Familiarity of principles and practices of the juvenile justice system, including considerable knowledge of state laws pertaining to juvenile justice and juvenile rights as well as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
• Experience working with female adolescents.
• Clinical Psychology Licensure.
• Thoroughness, independence, excellent organizational and written/oral communication skills.
• Strong clinical and organizational skills directly related to the functions of the Department of Youth Services.
• Ability to develop individualized treatment plans taking into account client needs and available services, using a full range of appropriate treatment modalities (including crisis intervention, psychotherapy, family therapy, supportive therapy, intermittent therapy, and/or behavior therapy).
• Demonstrated knowledge of substance abuse assessment training, Suicide Prevention/Intervention strategies.
• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Word, Outlook, and Excel.

Special Requirements:

• Must have a valid License in Clinical Psychology
• Minimum Age Requirement: 21 years
• Must be able to perform the physical requirement of the job (i.e. Ability to properly restrain or subdue youth through appropriate use of handcuffs or other restraint techniques) if necessary.
• Able to talk and/or hear, stand and walk, run, kneel and climb stairs, as well as lift, carry, push, or pull up to 55 pounds with or without assistance and with or without the use of devices and/or equipment to assist in the lifting effort.
• Based on assignment, incumbents may be required to possess a current and valid motor vehicle driver’s license at a class level specific to assignment.
• Upon hire, incumbents must complete and maintain a valid certification in crisis intervention, suicide prevention, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and first aid.

Working Conditions:

• Incumbents may be exposed to verbal and/or physical confrontations and potentially dangerous environments.
• Incumbents may be required to physically restrain youth.
• Incumbents typically work a standard work week (five 8 hour shifts); however, may be required to work extended hours, nights, holidays or weekends.
• Incumbents may be required to travel in-state and based on assignment may be required to travel out of state.

About the Department Of Youth Services:

As the Juvenile Justice agency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Department of Youth Services promotes positive change in the youth in our care and custody. Our mission is to make communities safer by improving the life outcomes for youth in our care. We achieve our mission through investing in highly qualified staff and a service continuum that engages youth, families, and communities in strategies that support positive youth development. For more information please go to: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-youth-services.

PRE-OFFER PROCESS:

Pre-Employment Requirements: Candidates must pass a pre-employment screening which includes: 1) Drug Screening; 2) Psychological Screening; 3) Medical Examination; and 4) Physical Abilities Test (PAT) for direct care positions. If you would like more information, please logon to the DYS website www.mass.gov/dys to access detailed information on the Pre-Employment process.

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/coriand click on "Information for Job Applicants".

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #2.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum Entrance Requirements:

Current and valid registration as a Psychologist by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Psychology. Applicants must also have at least three years of years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience as a Licensed Psychologist in the application of psychological principles and techniques in a recognized agency providing psychological services or treatment, of which (B) at least one year must have included supervision over Post-doctoral Psychologists-in-training and/or Psychological Assistants. Based on assignment, must meet the eligibility requirements for Designated Forensic Psychologist in 104 CMR 33.04(3)(b).

Special Requirements: Based on assignment, travel may be required. Those employees who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's license or the equivalent from another state.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $93,917.72 - $152,897.16 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Springfield, MA 01129: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):

• Are you a current Licensed Psychologist?

Education:

• Master's (Required)

Work Location: One location

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