PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Description

Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center’s Conditional Release Program (CONREP) is seeking a Licensed Psychologist to fulfill the role of Program Director in its Forensic Community Treatment Program (FCTP). This forensic outpatient program provides court and parole-mandated treatment and supervision to individuals committed as Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity, Offender with a Mental Health Disorder, or Incompetent to Stand Trial.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

As the senior clinical and administrative leader of this interdisciplinary treatment team, the Program Director oversees all operational, clinical, and fiscal aspects of the FCTP program. This includes supervising licensed and unlicensed clinicians, managing program compliance with Department of State Hospitals (DSH) standards, collaborating with legal and community stakeholders, and ensuring the safe and effective treatment of clients returning to the community. The Program Director also provides clinical oversight for high-risk cases, participates in court processes, and leads team meetings and policy development. This is a full-time, salaried position with intermittent on-call responsibilities. The role of Program Director is an excellent opportunity for a licensed Psychologist seeking to lead a program with experience in:

• Forensic mental health program management
• Clinical supervision and leadership
• Legal and DSH compliance oversight
• Violence risk assessment and risk mitigation
• Court report writing and expert testimony
• Community and stakeholder collaboration
• Policy development and program administration

ESSENTIALS DUTIES

• Provides administrative, clinical, and fiscal oversight to the Program.
• Administrates overall program goals and responsibilities, ensuring set standards are achieved.
• Oversees clinical decision-making, with a focus on assessing and mitigating risk of dangerousness.
• Facilitates treatment team meetings, clinical supervision, and annual staffing, as well as any other team meetings that arise.
• Maintains detailed knowledge of program paperwork, documentation, record keeping, and billing procedures, ensuring quality assurance standards are met.
• Maintains an understanding of the client’s treatment and supervision needs and guides the treatment team in incorporating these factors.
• Oversees interventions as emergent and emergency clinical matters arise.
• Oversees treatment team meetings and contributes pertinent information; responsible for establishing consensus and direction for treatment and supervision matters.
• Collaborates with the Clinical Director and other Program Directors within CONREP; keeps the Community Program Director appraised of all pertinent matters as they arise.
• Develops, maintains, and evaluates policies and procedures; assures adherence to standards consistent with program policy and professional standards of practice.
• Writes, reviews, and edits reports as required.
• Ensures compliance with all DSH and Penal Code requirements (e.g., timely submission of court reports).
• Provides verbal and written testimony in court and similar settings.
• Acts as a liaison to stakeholders, including DSH, court personnel, community stakeholders, and local law enforcement.
• Provides on-call coverage as required.
• Keeps program personnel informed of professional & community trends, issues, concerns, and requests.
• Maintains knowledge of current trends in the field of forensic psychology.
• Assists other programs as necessary.
• Arrives at sound conclusions after getting and analyzing all pertinent facts.
• Works independently.
• Responds appropriately to difficult or emergency situations.
• Maintains job interest and technical skills.
• Addresses conflict by privately acknowledging it, appropriately listening to others’ views, and speaking without blaming.
• Performs other additional tasks as directed. 

Successful candidates for the Program Director position will have the following:

• License as a Psychologist in the State of California
• Experience leading a clinical team in a forensic mental health or similar high-acuity setting
• Experience providing treatment and/or assessment in a forensic setting
• Expertise in violence risk assessment, clinical supervision, and court reporting
• Working knowledge of CONREP operations, DSH requirements, and Penal Code standards
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated organizational skills and leadership presence

If you’re ready to take on a leadership role in one of California’s most respected forensic outpatient programs, we invite you to apply and join our mission to serve the community through innovative, ethical, and effective mental health care.

Qualifications

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATES

Minimum Education Required:

• Doctorate in Psychology.
• Licensed Psychologist with the California Board of Psychology.

Desired Education:

• Forensic Emphasis from an accredited institution.

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience Required:

• Working with individuals with serious mental disorders in a forensic setting.
• Leading a team of professionals in a clinical setting.
• Providing clinical supervision to unlicensed professionals.
• Assessing dangerousness and using authority in treatment.
• Academic training in Behavioral Sciences.
• Experience with the mentally ill and/or forensic populations.

Desired Experience:

• Overseeing all aspects of a forensic outpatient program.
• Providing written and verbal testimony to court or parole.
• Working within the CONREP system.
• Evaluating risk using Structured Professional Judgment (SPJ).

REQUIREMENTS

• Must pass Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and Community Care Licensing (CCL) background clearance.
• Valid California Driver’s license.
• TB clearance.
• Driving record acceptable for coverage by Gateways insurance carrier.
• Crisis Prevention Institute Training (CPI)**

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• To perform this job you must be able to carry out all essential functions successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the job.
• Employee will be required to lift and/or move unassisted up to 25 pounds.

Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center provides a supportive yet stimulating and creative environment where professionals are valued and given opportunities to develop their skills. Some of the many exciting ways Gateways invests in its employees include:

• Student loan forgiveness qualifying employer
• Option of a flexible work schedule (9/80)
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Retirement plan with employer matching
• Cell phone reimbursement pay
• Vacation, sick time, bereavement, and personal holidays
• Bilingual pay, when applicable
• Ongoing training in forensic mental health through a robust didactic training program, the Department of State Hospitals trainings, and the Forensic Mental Health Association of California Annual Conference
• Employee appreciation events throughout the year

Salary : $133,600 - $150,300