Public Safety Psychologist

Job Description:

Public Safety Psychologist

Description

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a PhD in Psychology or a related field, plus three (3) years of post-doctoral experience, including two (2) years in public safety

Licenses or Certifications:

• Licensed or eligible to be licensed by the State of Texas as a Psychologist.

Notes to Applicants

The Public Safety Psychologist plays a vital role within the Victim Services/Employee Wellness Division, reporting directly to the Division Manager. This position is responsible for delivering comprehensive mental health support to personnel within the Public Safety Department. The psychologist will engage in both individual and group counseling, focusing on the unique challenges faced by first responders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide individual and group counseling to Public Safety Department personnel, addressing mental health issues, stress management, trauma recovery, and overall emotional well-being.
• Develop, present, and facilitate training programs on behavioral health topics.,
• Assist with psychological testing, screening, and assessment on an as-needed basis, in collaboration with contract psychologists.
• Provide debriefings and psychological support for officers involved in critical incidents.
• Offer debriefings for officers returning from military service or other extended leaves.
• Provide professional support and training to the APD Peer Support Team.

Driving Requirement:

This position requires a Valid Class C Driver License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.

If you are selected for an interview:

• Please bring the contact information for at least four (4) references.
• If you are identified as a top candidate, verification of your education (which may include your official college transcript, high school diploma or GED ) may be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.

When completing the City of Austin employment application:

• All relevant employment (work/volunteer) must be included in the online application to be considered for this position. A detailed, complete employment application is required. In addition, the resume information must match the information on the application. Please be sure to highlight your lead or supervisory experience.
• Please be sure to provide job title and employment dates for all jobs. Please include contact information for previous employers.
• The application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered (e.g., “see resume” or “see Linked In Profile”). Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please include contact information from previous employers.
• Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience and education.
• A resume is required but will not substitute for a complete COA application. Please be sure the positions and employment dates listed on your resume match you application.

To view the City of Austin Recruitment Video, please click here!

CBI :

Must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems ( CJIS ) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility. Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, the following will result in being disqualified for this position: Felony Convictions, Felony Deferred Adjudication, Class A & B Misdemeanor Deferred Adjudication, Class B Misdemeanor Convictions, an Open Arrest for Any Criminal Offense (Felony or Misdemeanor), and Family Violence Convictions. Please Click here to find more information.

Benefits:

Working with the Austin Police Department provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, retirement plan, training opportunities and more. Please click here to find more information.

Secondary Employment:
All Austin Police employees are prohibited from accepting or engaging in any secondary employment that might conflict or interfere with an employee’s duty and responsibility to the Department.

• APD must review all secondary employment.
• Employees are required to submit a Secondary Employment Application for review and approval upon being hired with APD , as well as current APD employees considering Secondary employment.

To learn more about working with the City of Austin, click here to watch a short video!
Pay Range
$52.25 - $67.93 per hour
Hours
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, but may vary.
Job Close Date 03/24/2025 Type of Posting External Department Police Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 715 E 8th St, Austin TX 78701 Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with trauma-informed practices
• Knowledge of unique behavioral health challenges faced by police personnel

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Provides basic counseling to individuals, couples, and families. Conducts screening evaluations of cadet applicants. Teaches behavioral health courses to first responders. Conducts advanced mental health evaluations and provides counseling to trauma exposed populations such: as SWAT , EOD , and other public safety personnel. Performs outreach and education to first responders at stations. Responds to emergency mental health situations experienced by first responders, potentially during non-traditional work hours. Participates as a member of a multi-disciplinary Public Safety Wellness Center team. Writes professional articles for law enforcement, as required by the position. Testifies in court as an expert witness for law enforcement, as required by the position. Debriefs shooting incidents for law enforcement, as required by the position. Provides advanced training to law enforcement personnel, as required by the position. Performs routine psychological work.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• None.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of empirically supported treatment options for a broad range of disorders.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to quickly recognize and analyze irregular events.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with city employees and the public.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires graduation from an accredited college or university with a PhD in Psychology or a related field, plus three (3) years of post-doctoral experience, including two (2) years in public safety. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* Are you licensed, or eligible to be licensed, by the State of Texas to practice as a Psychologist?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS-Criminal Background Investigation).

* Please describe you’re your knowledge of the unique behavioral health challenges faced by police personnel.
(Open Ended Question)
* What is your familiarity of trauma-informed practices?
(Open Ended Question)


Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Resume Optional Documents Cover Letter