Chief Psychologist

NOTE: Effective April 1, 2024, the salary range for this position is $92,920 to $135,056 per year.

Are you a registered psychologist eager to expand their leadership experience? We are seeking a dedicated Chief Psychologist to join our team at the Ministry of the Solicitor General. This role offers a unique opportunity to oversee the professional psychological and rehabilitative services of inmates in a secure, correctional environment. Don't miss this exciting opportunity

About this opportunity:

As a specialist in psychology, you will play a key role in managing and delivering mental health services within a corrections facility. The successful applicant will lead a team of psychologists to deliver programs within a fast-paced environment. Furthermore, you will work with a multidisciplinary team that include physicians, psychiatrists, nurses, mental health nurses, nurse practitioners, addiction counselors, and social workers to provide services. You'll have the opportunity to engage with multiple health networks to build strong, collaborative relationships. You will help establish a psychology unit that will design and implement mental health programs centred on the needs of female inmates. If you're passionate about driving positive change in the lives of those in our care, we invite you to join our team

Please note: As this is a frontline essential position, you will be required to attend the physical office location 5 days per week. You may be called into work during after-hours (weekends or public holidays) to respond to emergency situations with patients.

About us:

Ontario's Ministry of the Solicitor General, Correctional Services, is responsible for establishing, maintaining, operating and monitoring adult correctional institutions and probation and parole offices. Built in 2001, the Central North Correctional Centre, in Penetanguishene is a maximum-security facility. This centre holds both men and women and includes areas for rehabilitation, programming, an infirmary, and separate buildings for industrial work programs. Individuals in custody are provided a variety of services to meet basic needs including addiction counsellors, Indigenous Elder healing services and teachings, discharge planning and community re-integration services, and more

Why work for the Ontario Public Service?

The Ontario Public Service (OPS) is committed to being an employer of first choice, creating a positive and inclusive work environment. We offer:
• A defined benefit pension plan
• Maternity and parental leave top-up benefits which includes adoptive parents
• Comprehensive Health Plan
• Life and Disability insurance
• Collegial and professional work culture
• Career growth and development opportunities across multiple business areas
• We provide on-the-job training to support your success in the role.

Leadership in the Ontario Public Service

A leadership career in the Ontario Public Service offers meaningful opportunities to lead impactful projects, collaborate with diverse teams, and shape policies, programs and services that positively influence the lives of millions of Ontarians, all within a supportive and inclusive work environment.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:The Ontario Public Service (OPS) is an innovative, responsive and accountable public service that works hard to be diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, merit-based, and equitable. Diversifying leadership is a top priority for the OPS. Our goal is to achieve parity with the Ontario labour force by 2025 for the most under-represented groups (Indigenous, racialized and persons with disabilities) on our leadership teams.

The OPS invites all interested individuals to apply. As an organization that promotes equity and diversity, the OPS encourages applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized individuals, and persons with disabilities.

The OPS is an accessible employer and we offer accommodation in all aspects of employment, including the recruitment process.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy, the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint, and the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan to learn more about the OPS commitment to advancing racial equity, accessibility, diversity and inclusion in the public service.

What can I expect to do in this role?Create the Work Environment

In the Ontario Public Service, we hold our leaders to the highest standards, expecting them to embody authenticity, accountability, and courage in every action and decision. It will be your responsibility to create a work environment and team culture that ignites innovation, nurtures collaboration and champions inclusivity by creating a diverse, anti-racist and accessible workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment. By aligning your choices with these values, you will create a vibrant work environment where every individual can thrive.

Deliver on Business Goals and Priorities

Your leadership will be crucial in guiding the team towards the achievement of their goals. It will be your responsibility to inspire and motivate your team to deliver their best performance and align the team's daily actions with the strategic vision of the ministry. You will contribute to the achievement of team goals by:
• Providing leadership and managing a team of psychologists in the delivery of psychological programs and services
• Identifying key priorities during emergencies for patients and appropriately delegating tasks to ensure timely delivery of program services
• Consultation and coordination of psychological services, in areas such as crisis intervention, behaviour management, mental health assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning
• Develop and sustain internal and external stakeholder relationships relating to mental health.
• Continually monitor and improve upon programming by researching and maintaining awareness of best practices and testing new approaches for effectiveness

How do I qualify?Mandatory• You are registered as a psychologist in good standing in the Province of Ontario.

Specialized knowledge and experience• Knowledge of science and practices of psychology, including a full range of psychotherapeutic and correctional assessments, and intervention techniques
• Knowledge of the application and interpretation of assessment instruments to evaluate the cognitive and personality functioning of offenders, and the risk to re-offend, make diagnoses and perform treatment interventions
• Strong understanding of psychological research methods to plan and guide evaluation of programs and services
• Progressive experience in providing professional psychological and consultancy services

Leadership and management skills• Demonstrated leadership in overseeing the delivery of psychological programs and services
• Strong skills in managing staff, providing coaching and mentoring, and fostering an engaged and inclusive environment
• Knowledge of human resources processes recruitment, collective agreements, labour relations, performance reviews) and financial management is an asset.

Planning, coordination and organizational skills:• Proven skills in establishing priorities and allocating resources in line with the ministry's goals
• Ability to design, plan, implement, and coordinate unit processes for monitoring and reporting on initiatives and outcomes
• Strong organizational and time management skills necessary to coordinate program activities amid conflicting priorities and tight deadlines
• Experience in establishing strategic objectives and work plans to meet current and future priorities

Communication and relationship management skills• Communicate and interact clearly across all levels of the organization, from offenders and internal colleagues to senior management
• Effective consultation and negotiation skills to build credibility and consensus with colleagues and stakeholders (Waypoint Hospital, Georgian Bay General Hospital, and Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre)
• Ability to concisely write and present technical information to senior institutional managers or stakeholders for program delivery improvements

Don't meet every requirement?If you're excited to work for the Ontario Public Service but don't think you meet all the criteria, please still consider applying. We recognize no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate

---