Clinical Psychologist Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. SS-2025-0007 Department District of Columbia Courts
Salary $117,962.00 to $153,354.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 4/10/2025 Close Date 5/1/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

The Clinical Psychologist is located in the Family Court Social Services Division. The incumbent functions in a forensic environment to administer a series of standard psychological and educational tests to determine intellectual, educational and personality functioning and to diagnose, using the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, for a population ranging from10 to 18 and adults serving in a care-taking capacity for pre and post adjudicated youth.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

United States Citizens or individuals lawfully admitted for permanent residency or authorized by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service to work in the United States.

Duties

The Clinical Psychologist Brief Description of Duties:

  • Serves as a clinical supervisor for graduate and post-doctoral level psychology trainees and interns including, but not limited to, psychological evaluations, individual and group psychotherapy, case consultation, and case conference.
  • Conducts face-to-face interviews with youth, family, and identified individuals active in the maturation of the youth; evaluates youth’s mental health and risk to public safety, and develops associated psychological reports for the judiciary.
  • Uses computer technology for scoring test instruments and production of final report product
  • Analyzes, interprets, synthesizes, and integrates test data into clinically sound, cohesive, practical, and functional written evaluation appropriate to a forensic domain.
  • Provides clinical expert testimony to court officials in matters related to evaluations and clinical procedures and findings.
  • Prepares accurate and proficient reports and makes oral and written presentations of facts, which impact the judicial decision-making process as well as the rehabilitation of the youth and his/her family.
  • Participates in case conferences and consultation with court officials such as Judges, Probation Officers, Social Workers, Case Managers or affiliates regarding psychological issues related to adjudication and disposition.
  • Performs other clinic or division duties such as clinical research projects or inter-agency assignments, as assigned by the Chief Psychologist.
  • Exhibits the knowledge and the utilization of community or other identified resources in the assistance of solving youth mental health challenges.
  • Maintains files, records, and case-related documents in a well-organized manner.
  • Performs other duties (community activities for youth and families, educational/recreational trips, etc.) as assigned, consistent with established division and branch performance standards.
  • Serves as an acting supervisor of the Child Guidance Clinic in the absence of the Chief Psychologist as designated, may be required to assume temporary supervision of the unit, and serve as team leader for special initiatives and committees.
  • Provides limited psychological services (e.g., crisis response) at the Balance and Restorative Justice Centers.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Fingerprinting Background and Child Protective Registry Check
  • Federal law enforcement officer retirement provision.
  • Valid Driver's License
  • A probationary period of one (1) year must be successfully completed.

To qualify for this position, you must submit the following:

  1. Curriculum Vitae
  2. Completed Vacancy Questionnaire
  3. Documentation /Proof of Education (e.g. copy of college transcript or degree)
  4. List of three (3) professional reference
  5. Professional License
  6. SF-50 (if applicable)
  7. Copy of driver's license 

All required documentation must be received by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

A doctoral degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology from an American Psychological Association accredited psychology program from an accredited college or university, a license to practice psychology in the District of Columbia, three (3) years of experience where the candidate had to apply established scientific methods and principles of psychology plus two (2) years of supervisory experience.  Graduation from the Courts’ Management Training Program may substitute for one (1) year of supervisory experience. You must provide documentation of your management training with your application, i.e. copy of certificate. Documentation of education and licensing must be included with your application or it will not be considered.

Candidates who are unlicensed or licensed to practice psychology in another jurisdiction may apply.  If selected, candidate must obtain a D.C. License within 180 calendar days of appointment.  Failure to obtain a D.C. License will result in termination.

Additionally, first-time appointees to the clinical psychologist position must not have reached their 37th birthday at the time of appointment. Applicants 37 or over who have previous federal law enforcement officer experience under the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees' Retirement System and who have either a subsequent break in service or intervening service in a non-law enforcement officer position may have their previous law enforcement officer experience subtracted from their age to determine whether they meet the maximum age requirement (Application of previous law enforcement provision only applies to those considered federal law enforcement officers and have paid into either Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees' Retirement System, all other law enforcement (state or municipal not paid into either retirement system) will not be considered eligible.).

Please note that if you are applying for consideration as a non first-time appointee and you have reached or exceeded your 37th birthday you must attach your SF-50 or your application will not be considered.

Preferred Experience

  • Experience working with juveniles
  • Clinical applied research experience
  • Clinical forensic experience
  • Judicial consulting experience

The incumbent should be an enthusiastic and engaged professional who enjoys working with a diverse group of Court personnel and customers and lives the DC Courts’ values of Accountability, Excellence, Fairness, Integrity, Respect, and Transparency.

Please note that authorization for the release of your adult criminal record revealing any convictions and forfeitures, and any criminal cases currently pending before the courts is required.  If you are selected for the position, a criminal history records check will be conducted.

Education

To qualify based on education, upload a copy of your college transcript or degree. The transcript must show the name of the college or university, your name, list of courses with credit hours, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking.

Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for District of Columbia Courts employment.  You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.  

Foreign Education: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must upload a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript at time of application to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Additional information

This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive Federal civil service.

Please note there is a mandatory one year probationary period for all new court employees.

All required information must be received by the vacancy announcement closing date.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

This is not a federal position.

The District of Columbia Courts is an independent branch of the District of Columbia Government and is not under the authority of the City Mayor or the D. C. Council. DC Courts' appropriation comes directly from Congress. All DC Courts non-judicial employees receive federal benefits for the following programs:  Life Insurance, Retirement Benefits, Health Insurance and Workers Compensation.

Please click on the following for more information about these benefits:

http://www.opm.gov/Insure/health/enrollment/new_employees.asp

The DC Courts leave policy is as follows:

Annual Leave:  New full-time employees earn four (4) hours of annual leave biweekly. After three years of service this increases to six (6)hours biweekly, and at 15 years it increases to eight(8)hours biweekly. Most military, federal and District of Columbia government service counts toward the time required to go into the next higher annual leave category. Employees can carry over no more than 240 hours of annual leave into the next leave year.

Sick Leave is used for personal medical needs, care of a family member, or adoption related purposes. Full-time employees earn four(4)hours of sick leave biweekly. This leave can be accrued without limit.

In addition to the federal health plans, the DC Courts offer employees supplemental vision and dental plans as well as a commuter transit benefit subsidy, for a maximum of $150 a month. There are 26 pay periods in the year.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Upon receipt of your complete application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure that you meet the minimum qualification requirements.  Answers submitted in the questionnaire must be supported on your resume.

Your resume must reflect the relevant experience and that you meet the minimum qualifications or your application will not be considered.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Completed Vacancy Questionnaire
3. Documentation /Proof of Education (e.g. copy of college transcript or degree)
4. Professional License
5. Copy of your driver's license must be included with your application.
6. SF-50 (if applicable)
7. List of three (3) professional references

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.  Follow the prompts to complete the vacancy questionnaire. Afterward, click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.

Agency contact information

S. Juarez
Address
District of Columbia Courts
Moultrie Building
500 Indiana Avenue, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20001
United States

Next steps

Once your completed application is received, the qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. All applicants will be notified of the final outcome.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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