About The Role

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

The CDSA Psychologist will conduct diagnostic psychological testing of infants and toddlers to determine developmental levels and functional needs related to intellectual/cognitive functioning (acquired knowledge, attention, language, memory, planning and problem solving, and visual spatial abilities), behavioral concerns, and social emotional adjustment, and determine eligibility criteria for the North Carolina Infant Toddler Program.

Conducts developmental testing to include assessment of motor, language, social, adaptive, and/or cognitive functioning by standardized developmental instruments that meet American Psychological Association standards. Involves direct individual observation and assessment with the child as well as interview with the parent as needed for developmental, adaptive, behavioral, or social emotional information.

Assessments/evaluations are conducted primarily in the child’s natural environment which is typically a home or childcare setting where the child’s daily care occurs or in other community settings that serve children.

Participates in clinical staffing with Service Coordinators and other CDSA clinical staff to compile assessment results, determine potential eligibility for the Infant Toddler Program, make diagnoses, and formulate intervention recommendations. Prepares formal written assessment reports.

Participates in Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP)development as needed and provides consultation to other disciplines and service providers working with individual children on specific IFSP outcomes. Interprets assessment results to families, caregivers, and other professionals. Provides treatment services as needed to infants and toddlers and their families, in a variety of settings including the home, childcare and other community settings. Assists to ensure that psychological services are integrated with other disciplines to address outcomes identified on the IFSP.

The Staff Psychologist will communicate regularly with the Early Intervention Service Coordinator and other team members to address progress and changing needs. Provides psychological consultation to families and other community providers to address child social-emotional and cognitive development, behavior, and infant mental health issues and family functioning. Acts as a resource to the agency and community regarding psychological needs of infants and toddlers.

Provides consultation and technical assistance to CDSA staff and community providers in infant/toddler mental health, behavior management, and social emotional development and dysfunction. Maintains client records in accordance with CDSA/ITP and 3rd party reimbursement standards. Attends scheduled staff meetings and trainings and completes required daily/monthly documentation activities (e.g. time and travel, billing, etc.). Attends professional development events to stay current on recommended and evidence-based practices. Follows departmental, division, and agency policies and procedures.

The Staff Psychologist may participate in Quality Assurance/Improvement activities, such as child record reviews and specific QA/QI initiatives. The Staff Psychologist may act as a representative of the CDSA in providing trainings to families and other agencies on various topics. The Staff Psychologist may represent the CDSA on local boards and committees, as requested by the CDSA Director. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Range: $66,696 -$110,049
Recruitment Range: $66,696 -$78,569
Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they have the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.
The following Management Preferences are not required, but applicants that possess these skills are preferred.

Knowledge in the field of psychology, including human behavior, learning, development and principles of therapeutic intervention. Experience with trauma informed treatment programs such as Circle of Security Parenting Program and Child Parent Psychoparenting (CPP), etc. is preferred.
Knowledge of the nature, administration and interpretation of psychological and developmental tests for children and thorough knowledge of child development from birth to three years.
Knowledge of developmental disabilities and needs of young children and their families with a wide range of behavior, mental health and psychosocial concerns.
Skill in establishing rapport with clients and utilizing clinical interview and standardized testing for assessing intellectual, psychosocial, behavioral, and child/family needs and concerns. Knowledge of evidence-based practices used in working with young children and families, such as natural learning environment practices and caregiver coaching, is preferred.
Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely in oral and written form, to maintain client records, and to work with a minimal amount of supervision as a member of an interdisciplinary team.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to drive and travel by car across the CDSA’s catchment area. Use of fingers and hands for computer and keyboarding, and sitting for extended periods of time. Some light lifting (less than 10 pounds) may also occur.

Position is eligible for a hybrid-teleworking schedule to include weekly onsite work hours

Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. the night before the end date

About the NC Division of Child and Family Well-Being

The Division of Child and Family Well-Being (DCFW) brings together complementary NC Department of Health and Human services to support North Carolina’s children growing up safe, healthy, and thriving in nurturing and resilient families and communities .

Compensation and Benefits

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

Supplemental Contact Information

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/ .

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303 , our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Application Process

Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers.
If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.
Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.
Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.
For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members .

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.
Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of their DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov . Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Eligibility for licensure in North Carolina under the provisions of the NC Psychology Practice Act (G.S. 90-270).

EEO Statement

T he State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.