Psychological Services Associate 1 (Local Government)

THE POSITION

Thank you for checking out our position! Our vision is for every person and family that we serve to have a network of family, friends, advocates, and supportive services to live a full and productive life in our community. Learn more about us at www.dbhs.co.

This opportunity is for a Therapist to provide counseling services in an Outpatient Program to individuals of all ages. Under the guidance of a supervisor, establish a written goal-specific treatment plan and serve as a resource. Collaborate and consult with colleagues, community individuals, or agencies to assist in providing the highest quality of services. This position may also provide outpatient group therapy and School Based Counseling services. School Therapists work on site in schools to assess student needs, provide consultation and education to school personnel, and make referrals.

Full-time positions include excellent benefits! Healthcare coverage, pension plan, student loan reimbursement program, flexible spending account, and paid holidays. We encourage work/life balance with a hybrid of remote & on-site work schedules for some positions. Family friendly agency with paid time off, paid sick time, employee assistance program, and family medical leave.

Apply today to join us in serving the community!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position provides therapy services in outpatient, school and group settings to support individuals across a wide range of needs. As a Psychological Services Associate 1, you will perform the following duties:

• Outpatient Counseling: Provide individual, family and group therapy under supervisor guidance
• Treatment Planning: Develop strengths-based plans and document progress in the electronic medical record
• Diagnostic Evaluation: Conduct evaluations to enroll clients and identify appropriate service needs
• School-Based Support: Deliver therapy in school settings and complete assessments for referred students
• Crisis Coordination: Collaborate with crisis staff to address urgent mental health needs
• Group Facilitation: Lead outpatient group sessions focused on self-care and personal recovery

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Hours must be adjusted as needed based upon consumer requests for evening appointments.
• On occasion, staff may need to work hours outside of the set work week to complete projects, meet work demands, or in the event of an emergency.
• This position reports to the DBHS Office for work. Upon hire, new staff begin training and are on probation for 6 months. New staff may be eligible for a hybrid of on-site and remote work after 3-months of employment.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

• A master’s degree in psychology or a closely related field.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

• You must pass a background investigation.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Older Adult Protective Services Act.
  • Under the Act, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports, including but not limited to, PA State Police and FBI clearance.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).

• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

Benefit packages are determined by the county and may vary. Please contact the applicable county human resource office directly to inquire about a specific benefit package.