DPS - TOD - Operational Psychologist - 4464 - 4465

***Experience detailed on the Work Experience Section will be used to determine eligibility for appropriate level of position. The selected candidate(s) for Operational Psychologist II will be offered a salary of $9,000/month. The selected candidate(s) for Operational Psychologist III will be offered a salary of $9,583.34/month.*** 

PLEASE NOTE: All applications must contain complete job histories, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.

SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the posting. In order to complete the supplemental questions please go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login and access your profile. Go to CAPPS Recruit to Sign In https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Operational Psychologist II: 
Perform advanced and/or managerial (senior-level) psychological work within the agency’s Training and Operational Psychology Support Team. Work includes providing psychological testing, screening, a comprehensive program of psychological services to agency employees and their families; program design and implementation, diagnosing, counseling, training, and crisis intervention. May assign and/or supervise the work of others; prepare reports and conduct special projects and research as directed. Work is performed under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment.

Operational Psychologist III
Performs highly complex (senior-level) psychological work within the agency’s Training Operations Division. Work includes providing pre-employment evaluations, psychological testing, screening, and teaching within the prestigious DPS training academy. Work includes the opportunity to help prepare future law enforcement officers to perform the job of a Highway Patrol Trooper. May assign and/or supervise the work of others; provide counseling to Trooper Trainees, prepare reports, and conduct special projects and research as directed. May provide support or crisis intervention with other divisions as needed in the event of a large-scale disaster. Work is performed under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment.

The following Military Occupational Specialty codes are generally applicable to this position. https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_MedicalandHealth.pdf
Applicants must fully complete the summary of experience to determine if minimum qualifications are met.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operational Psychologist II:

1. Administer and interpret psychological tests and conduct psychological assessments of recruit school applicants, police communications
operator applicants, and reinstatement or retire/rehire evaluations. May assist in the selection of promotional candidates, and for other
specialized jobs such as hostage negotiation, S.W.A.T. team, and undercover work.

2. Assess the mental fitness of prospective law enforcement officers focusing on the applicant’s ability to successfully perform high-stress roles.
Evaluations ensure applicants are emotionally stable, utilize good judgement under stressful conditions, demonstrate resilience, and can
meet job demands with optimal performance.

3. Plan, develop, and implement training on various topics, e.g., stress management; work performance enhancement; basic psychology in law
enforcement work; crisis intervention; and employee motivation to facilitate the overall wellness and resilience of the department’s
workforce.

4. Develop training materials; provide input for best practice guidelines for psychological testing and evaluations.

5. Provide professional confidential short-term treatment in a voluntary counseling program for Trooper Trainees as needed; make referrals to
facilitate a continuum of care; and provide crisis support and other group intervention services as appropriate

6. May participate in debriefings after critical incidents.

7. Act as a consultant on workgroups and special projects requiring psychological expertise.

8. Consult with various levels of agency management and/or individual workgroups regarding the psychological components of the pre
employment assessment process, discuss the suitability of applicants, and present solutions to ongoing or anticipated problems. 

9. Conduct program design and develop procedures for pre-employment testing, wellness and behavioral health services for Trooper Trainees
and DPS employees.

10. Participate in field visits and observe training for law enforcement officers; provide feedback to leadership regarding suggestions to improve
first responders’ mental health, psychological safety, and wellness.

11. Travel locally and within the state as needed to accomplish position objectives. Travel to more than one work location and overnight travel
may occasionally be required.

12. Attend work regularly and observes approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies. Flexibility in work hours
may be required for this position. The position may be required to work additional hours or at times outside traditional office hours on a
limited basis. 

13. Perform other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to assisting in critical incident response as well as
acting as designee for supervisory tasks when appropriate or necessary. Such participation may require a temporary alternate shift pattern
assignment and/or location.

Operational Psychologist III

1. Administer and interpret psychological tests and conduct psychological assessments of recruit school applicants, police communications
operator applicants, promotional candidates, and for other specialized jobs such as hostage negotiation, S.W.A.T. team, and undercover work.

2. Plan, develop, and implement training on various topics, e.g., stress management; work performance enhancement; basic psychology in law
enforcement work; crisis intervention; and employee motivation to facilitate the overall wellness and resilience of the department’s work
force.

3. Develop training materials; provide input for best practice guidelines for employee support services; and conduct training for TOD personnel
and other team members upon request.

4. Provide professional confidential short-term treatment in a voluntary counseling program for agency employees and their families; make
referrals and maintain follow-up evaluations on employees requiring additional psychological services from outside facilities; and provide
crisis support and other group intervention services as appropriate.

5. Facilitates debriefings after critical incidents.

6. Oversee the work of the professional regional behavioral health counseling staff in providing Victim and Employee Support Services.

7. Provide consultation to VESS First responder Counselors and Victim Services Counselors for both routine treatment services and/or crisis
situations. 

8. Oversee the preparation of regional productivity reports.

9. Act as a consultant on special projects requiring psychological expertise.

10. Consult with various levels of agency management and/or individual workgroups regarding solutions to ongoing or anticipated problems,
including but not limited to personnel conflicts and problematic behavior in the workplace; Coordinate fitness for duty evaluations when
appropriate and/or ordered by the Director or designee.

11. Conduct program design and develop procedures for pre-employment testing, wellness and behavioral health services for employees.

12. Participate in field visits and observe training for law enforcement officers; provide feedback to VESS leadership regarding suggestions to
improve first responders mental health, psychological safety, and wellness.

13. Travel locally and within the state as needed to accomplish position objectives. Travel to more than one work location and overnight travel
may be required. 

14. Attends work regularly and observes approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies. Flexibility in work hours
may be required for this position. The position may be required to work additional hours or at times outside traditional office hours. This
position may be subject to on-call scheduling.

15. Perform other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to assisting in critical incident response as well as
acting as designee for supervisory tasks when appropriate or necessary. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern
assignment and/or location.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS and REQUIREMENTS:

Education – 

Operational Psychologist II - III:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), or Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology.

Experience – 

Operational Psychologist II
Successfully completed an internship in clinical or counseling psychology with supervised experience (e.g., pre- or postdoctoral employment, internships, residencies or a combination) and has documented training and supervised experience conducting psychological assessments, providing individual therapy, suicide assessment, and crisis intervention. Experience conducting pre-employment psychological evaluations, training to large groups of individuals, providing trauma counseling, and/or working within a law enforcement culture is preferred.

Operational Psychologist III
Minimum of one (1) year full time work experience as a licensed psychologist providing direct psychological services including clinical crisis intervention and/or trauma counseling and a range of educational, psychological, and behavioral interventions for the management of stress reactions. Experience conducting pre-employment psychological evaluations and/or working within a law enforcement culture is preferred.

Licensure and/or Certification – Possess and maintain licensure by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists as a Psychologist.. If applicant has valid out of state licensure, licensure by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists as a Psychologist must be obtained within three (3) months of start date. Must possess a valid driver license from state of residence

Regulatory Knowledge – Working knowledge of, or the ability to rapidly assimilate information related to TXDPS, State and Federal regulations, legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures. Thorough knowledge of the applicable laws and requirements for the practice of psychology in the state of Texas including confidentiality, record retention, and the practical applications of such rules and regulations to conducting clinical/counseling psychology. Familiarity with Americans with Disability Act (ADA) requirements and the application of such requirements to pre-employment evaluations; familiarity with pre-employment screening of law enforcement applicants and the rules and regulations governing the selection of law enforcement officers in the State of Texas is preferred.

Clinical Knowledge - 
Operational Psychologist II
Knowledge of the principles of choosing appropriate screening instruments, administering psychological screening instruments, interpreting test data and identifying potential behavioral deficits in an applicant’s ability to perform essential job functions in conducting a pre-employment screening process. Familiarity with the essential job functions of police officers and with psychological assessment research relevant to screening law enforcement officers is preferred. Knowledge of the principles of assessment and treatment of acute and traumatic stress reactions and disorders; brief therapy; crisis intervention; grief; victimology; and the psychological response to routine and critical incident stress. Ability to make quick and accurate judgment calls during crisis situations.

Operational Psychologist III
Knowledge of the principles of assessment and treatment of acute and traumatic stress reactions and disorders; brief therapy; crisis intervention; grief; victimology; and the psychological response to routine and critical incident stress. Knowledge of the principles of choosing appropriate screening instruments, administering psychological screening instruments, interpreting test data and identifying potential behavioral deficits in an applicant’s ability to perform essential job functions in conducting a pre-employment screening process. Familiarity with the essential job functions of police officers and with psychological assessment research relevant to screening law enforcement officers is preferred.

Presentation/Communication Skills – Must be able to construct and deliver clear, concise, and professional presentations to a variety of audiences and/or individuals. Excellent verbal and written communication skills to include complex correspondence drafting, English composition, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Ability to make quick and accurate judgment calls regarding the need to provide information to Division personnel. Communicate psychological information and professional opinions effectively in formal training situations and in business and other routine organizational interactions.

Supervisory/Managerial/Leadership Skills – 
Operational Psychologist II
Knowledge of team dynamics, and operational practices. Strong leadership skills with the ability to direct and motivate others, maintain a persuasive and credible presentation style at all levels of the organization, and to make sound work-related judgments and decisions. Exemplify the agency’s core mission to Protect and Serve Texas and the values of integrity, excellence, accountability and teamwork. Able to organize and implement program activities. Promote teamwork among staff to accomplish program goals and objectives that support the strategic plan.

Operational Psychologist III
Knowledge of management and supervisory methods and principles, team dynamics, and operational practices. Strong leadership skills with the ability to direct and motivate others, maintain persuasive and credible presentation style at all levels of the organization, and to make sound work-related judgments and decisions. Exemplify the agency’s core mission to Protect and Serve Texas and the values of integrity, teamwork, accountability and excellence. Able to organize and implement program activities. Promote teamwork among VESS staff to accomplish program goals and objectives that support the strategic plan. Ability to make quick and accurate judgment calls when overseeing clinician work or during crisis consultation.

Interpersonal Skills – Must demonstrate an ability to exercise poise, tact, diplomacy and an ability to establish and maintain positive, working/professional relationships with internal/external customers.

Organizational and Prioritization Skills – Must be organized, flexible, and able to effectively prioritize in a multi-demand and constantly changing environment; able to meet multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines without sacrificing accuracy, timeliness or professionalism.

Research and Comprehension – Must demonstrate ability to quickly and efficiently access relevant information, and be able to utilize and/or present research and conclusions in a clear and concise manner.

Analytical Reasoning/Attention to Detail – Must demonstrate an ability to examine data/information, discern variations/similarities, and be able identify trends, relationships and causal factors, as well as grasp issues, draw accurate conclusions, and solve problems.

Technology – Proficiency with Microsoft Office and appropriate levels of proficiency with utilized software and systems (e.g. CAPPS, SharePoint) and be able to learn new software/systems. 

Confidentiality and Protected Information – Must demonstrate an ability to responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information and situations and adhere to applicable laws/statutes/policies related to access, maintenance and dissemination of information.

Safety – Must be able to work and promote working in a safe manner at all times, avoiding shortcuts that have potential adverse results/risks, and must be able to comply with safety standards and best practices.

Travel and/or Schedule – Availability to travel for short trips 1-2x/month of the time, including overnight and weekends. Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position as this position may assist in the event of emergent situations, including after-hours, weekends, or holidays. The position may be required to work occasional additional and/or extended hours.

PHYSICAL and/or ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those encountered and/or necessary for the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job; reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Environment: Office/Indoors, Outdoors, and Vehicle;
• Ambulatory skills, e.g. stand, walk, sit;
• Hand-eye coordination and arm/hand/finger dexterity;
• Ability to speak, hear, and exercise visual acuity;
• Ability to transfer weights of ten (10) pounds anticipated for this position;
• Driving requirements: Occasional – short trips 1-2x/month
 

State of Texas Benefits and Retirement Information: https://www.ers.texas.gov/

Current DPS employees who submit applications for posted DPS positions shall notify their immediate supervisor in writing.

A DPS employee who is selected for a position in the same salary group and state title as their current position will be transferred with no salary change.

A DPS employee who is selected for a position in their current salary group with a new state title may receive an increase of no more than 3.4% over their current salary regardless of posted salary.

Salary is contingent upon qualifications and is subject to salary administration and budgetary restrictions.

DUE TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS WE DO NOT ACCEPT TELEPHONE CALLS. ONLY CANDIDATES SELECTED FOR INTERVIEW WILL BE CONTACTED.

State of Texas retirees may be rehired for full-time, non-commissioned positions only under very specific circumstances.