Psychologist I - UEDC

Salary: $77,400.00 - $139,300.00 Annually
Location : Union County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 180407
Agency: Department of Juvenile Justice
Division: Facility Rehabilitation & Health Services
Opening Date: 07/20/2026
Closing Date: 10/20/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
Residency Requirement: No
Class Code:: GA80
Position Number::
Normal Work Schedule:: Other
Normal Work Schedule (Other):: Work hours will be discussed during the interview.
Pay Grade: CLN11
Hiring Range - Min.: $102,583.00
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: You must apply online at careers.sc.gov and follow the status of your application online.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

Job Responsibilities
WE ARE EXPANDING OUR TEAM AND ARE CURRENTLY RECRUITING FOR:

PSYCHOLOGISTS LICENSED ($111,959)

LICENSED ELIGIBLE ($102,583)

POST-DOCTORAL RESIDENT ($102,583)
THIS POSITION IS ELIGIBLE FOR A $10,000 SIGN-ON BONUS*

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of South Carolina's youth, consider joining the dedicated people of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).
We are recruiting Licensed and Licensed-eligible psychologists for our secure facilities and community division. If you are interested in a career in a forensic setting that specializes in evaluations of juvenile justice-involved youth undergoing court-ordered evaluations, as well as delivers evidence-based, informed, youth-centered therapeutic engagement, treatment, and rehabilitation, our secure facilities may be an ideal fit for new career psychologists.
If you have completed pre- or post-doctoral training and are interested in a youth population or making a career or geographical shift to beautiful South Carolina, consider South Carolina DJJ. We are a dynamic agency with a robust psychology staff with varied backgrounds/experience who offer a high-quality work environment and commitment to best practices in our field.
JOB PURPOSE:

Under limited supervision, develops and implements secure, facility based psychological services (evaluation, consultation, and therapeutic) for youth involved with SC Department of Juvenile Justice. In support and absence of facility Clinical Director, provides supervision of evaluation and therapeutic services provided by facility Mental Health Professionals.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Completes evaluations for youth who have no prior evaluation or outdated evaluations in order to assess diagnoses and treatment needs to determine the most appropriate placement.

Conducts clinical interviews with youth and family members, record reviews, and consultations with DJJ County Office staff and other agencies involved with the youth.

Completes court-ordered evaluations as needed.

Administers and interprets psychological tests and prepares reports to be shared as needed for treatment purposes.

Identifies youth with Serious Mental Illness or Intellectual Disability and makes referrals to the appropriate agencies.

Participates in DJJ treatment planning and interagency staffing.

Consults in cases of youth with special needs (e.g. mental health or developmental issues).

Consults with DJJ County Office staff regarding problematic issues/cases.

Attends interagency staffings as needed for evaluation and committed youth.

Provides treatment services to youth, including individual and group therapy/counseling.

Provides supervision of evaluation and therapeutic services provided by facility Mental Health Professionals in support and/or absence of facility Clinical Director.

Provides interdisciplinary training to facility staff.

Provides crisis intervention services on a rotating basis with other mental health professionals, including after hours on-call services.

Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Minimum and Additional Requirements
STATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A doctorate in applied psychology from an accredited college or university and experience in the practice of applied psychology.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Thorough knowledge of current psychological theory/practice and psychological evaluation/ assessment techniques.

Ability to select/ administer/ interpret psychological tests and effectively communicate findings.

Ability to communicate effectively with juveniles, staff, relevant agencies, and the concerned public.

Excellent writing skills required.
Must be able to work in a secure facility setting and have the confidence/endurance to work in a sometime hostile work environment with youth with varying behavioral health issues and challenges.

Must be able to walk, lift 25 lbs.

On-call duties are required and must be able to work varied hours if necessary.

This position performs job duties relating to the custody, control, transportation, or recapture of youth within the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice and the employee may have direct and indirect contact with youth within the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice. Training applicable to these duties will be provided.
Preferred Qualifications
PREFERRED AGENCY REQUIREMENTS:

A doctoral degree in applied psychology from an APA approved program in psychology and possession of a current license to practice psychology in the State of South Carolina or license eligibility within two (2) years.
Additional Comments
The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health, dental, and life insurance
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days of sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• State retirement plans and deferred compensation programs
• Discount Programs such as TicketatWork and WeSave

Applications are incomplete if you fail to answer all supplemental questions, education, and work history. Incomplete applications are not referred to hiring managers. Applications are accepted until 5:00 p.m. on the stated closing date.
You will be asked to provide a certified transcript if selected for a position requiring a degree. A background investigation will be conducted that may include but is not limited to, criminal records, driver's license, and child abuse registry prior to an offer of employment. Additionally, a medical examination and drug testing may be required. Please provide an explanation for any gaps in employment. A resume may be attached to your application but not substituted for completing the work history section of the application.
Sign-On Bonus: Agencies may give sign-on bonuses to individuals recruited to critical needs jobs at the beginning of their employment with the agency. Bonuses cannot be offered or given to employees moving from other agencies by transfer, promotion or demotion. Sign-on bonuses are limited to one per employee, per year.
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01

Which category identifies your current status?

• Licensed
• Licensed-Eligible
• Post-Doctoral Resident

02

Do you have a doctorate in applied psychology from an accredited college or university, are licensed eligible, OR are a post-doctoral resident and have experience in the practice of applied psychology?

• Yes
• No

03

Is your doctoral degree in applied psychology from an APA approved program in psychology?

• Yes
• No

04

If you answered "No" to question #2, what is your expected date of doctoral degree conferral in applied psychology from an APA-accredited program?
05

Do you currently possess a license to practice psychology in the State of South Carolina or are you able to obtain licensure within two years?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have assessment experience in the practice of applied psychology?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have experience in the practice of applied psychology?

• Yes
• No

08

Are you currently employed or have you previously been employed with SCDJJ?

• Yes
• No

09

How did you hear about this position?

• SC State Government Website (careers.sc.gov)
• Career Fair
• SC Works
• Indeed.com
• DJJ Employee
• Other

10

If you answered "DJJ Employee" to the previous question please list employee's name.
11

If you answered "Other" to the previous question, please tell how you learned of this position.
20

Will you now or in the future require sponsorship to work in the U.S.?

• Yes
• No

21