Psychologist - Kern County, CA

You belong here.

Step into a role where every day matters. Join our correctional mental health team as a psychologist, and help rebuild lives through meaningful, evidence-based care with a team of multidisciplinary experts.

$167,244 – Licensed

$137,952– Pre-Licensed

Psychologists providing in-person care in an inpatient unit will receive:

$192,236 – Licensed

$158,640 – Pre-Licensed

Restructured Recruitment and Retention Bonus:

Clinicians newly hired with the State of CA and providing onsite, in-person care are eligible for a 1% bonus for the first 7 years, increasing by 1% year over year, maxing at a 7% bonus by year 7.

Psychologists newly hired with the state of CA are also eligible to receive a recruitment and retention bonus of up to $30,000 within the first 12 months of service.

Referral Bonus:

All CDCR/CCHCS employees that refer a mental health clinician who is successfully hired by CCHCS may be eligible to receive a referral bonus of $5,000 per referral.

Additional Benefits of Practicing with CDCR/CCHCS

• A broad selection of health care plans: Including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Work-life Balance with Flexible Schedules: Options of 4-day workweeks at many locations plus generous paid time off and holidays.
• Robust 401(k) and 457(b) Retirement Plans: Secure your retirement with our extensive plans and generous tax deferrals.
• State of CA Retirement that Vests in Five Years: Plan for a secure future with our pension benefits (more at CalPERS.ca.gov).
• Clinical Supervision and Licensure Exam Support for Unlicensed Staff: Receive structured clinical supervision to support professional growth and licensure preparation.
• Stipend for supervisory hours: Licensed clinicians providing clinical supervision to unlicensed team members are eligible for additional compensation.
• Opportunities for Free Continuing Education: Access complimentary continuing education courses that support licensure, skill development, and career advancement.
• Potential PSLF and NHSC Loan Repayment: Eligibility for student loan repayment through PSLF and, depending on your location, NHSC.
• Relocation assistance: If you’re new to state service in California, we help with the cost of your move.
• Dedicated assistance with visa sponsorship: We support your work visa needs.

Take the first step and submit your CV to [email protected] or apply directly to this posting today!

EOE

Department Information

CDCR and CCHCS are committed to transforming the correctional landscape to create safer, more professional, and more fulfilling environments for our employees, the incarcerated population, and those supervised in our communities. Through systemwide improvements grounded in proven and emerging practices, we aim to strengthen rehabilitation, enhance workplace satisfaction, and support successful reentry into the community through our institutions, parole, and community partnerships. Our shared mission is to promote safety, wellness, and human dignity while fostering positive change for all those who live and work within our institutions and communities.

CDCR and CCHCS are committed to building an inclusive respectful workplace. We are determined to attract and hire candidates from all communities and empower employees from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences. We are proud to foster inclusion and drive collaborative efforts at all levels of the Department.

Department Website: https://cchcs.ca.gov/careers