PSYCHOLOGIST (REGISTERED) AND ASSISTANT PSYCHOLOGIST (NON-REGISTERED) - Group & Level PS-03 and PS-02

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Job Profile

Psychologists and Assistant Psychologists are important members of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) Health Services team. They play a critical role in addressing the mental health needs of offenders and in providing services related to the reintegration of offenders. These services include psychological assessments of the risk for recidivism to inform decisions made by the National Parole Board regarding offenders' release to the community.

In the past decade, the number of federal offenders exhibiting signs of mental health and behavioural issues has increased significantly. CSC is working to address this issue, and is now the largest federal employer of psychologists in Canada. Our team of more than 300 psychologists are world-renowned for their work in developing risk assessment tools and contributing to corrections research.

As a CSC psychologist or assistant psychologist, you will provide psychological screening, assessment and treatment to offenders serving federal sentences, either within a correctional institution or in the community. You will consult with CSC managers and fellow employees regarding assessments of offenders’ criminal risk, and assist with the development and delivery of effective interventions and treatments that will contribute to offenders’ rehabilitation and safe return to the community.

Work Environment

CSC has a presence from coast to coast -- from large urban centres with diverse populations, to remote communities across the North.

CSC operates under three levels of management: National, Regional and Institutional/Parole Offices. The National Headquarters in Ottawa provides overall planning and policy development for the Service, while each of the five regional offices implements CSC activities within the Pacific, Prairie, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic regions.

CSC operations include 57 penitentiaries at minimum, medium, maximum and multi-level security classifications. These institutions include specialized facilities for women offenders, Healing Lodges designed to address the needs of Aboriginal offenders, and Regional Treatment Centres that provide mental health interventions to offenders. Psychologists, working under the direction of a Chief Psychologist, provide mental health assessment and treatment at correctional institutions, parole offices and Regional Treatment Centres.

CSC also operates 16 community correctional centres, and partners with 175 Community-Based Residential Facilities for offenders on some form of conditional release into the community. As well, CSC operates 84 parole offices and sub-offices in every region of Canada.

Diversity

CSC is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce that is reflective of Canadian society. We encourage all ethnicities, cultures, visible minorities, Aboriginal people, and people with disabilities to seek employment as a Psychologist or Assistant Psychologist.

Career Development

CSC is a large government agency with a wide variety of occupations. Depending on your interest and skill set, career opportunities exist in a variety of positions in the organization, both within institutional and community settings, as well as at regional or national headquarters.

About the selection process

CSC job opportunities are periodically posted on www.jobs.gc.ca. In addition, you can send your resume to a regional recruitment representative in your area. Applicants are screened according to essential education and experience listed on the advertisement.

Applicants’ abilities, skills and personal suitability may be assessed with an interview.

Training

CSC provides a new employee orientation program for all Psychologists and Assistant Psychologists. CSC also supports regular opportunities for professional development to assist you in the development and maintenance of your skills in the provision of psychological services.

CSC supports the efforts of its unregistered psychologists to obtain registration, by paying fees and other costs associated with the process, and by helping candidates pass the Examination in Professional Practices in Psychology (purchasing study materials and allowing candidates time off to study).

Ready to Apply?

Please visit www.jobs.gc.ca to learn more about the job opportunities currently available at CSC.