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Registered Psychologist (Adult correctional facility)
Help change the lives of people in prisons
Bring your knowledge of psychology, diagnosis and treatment to a dedicated multidisciplinary team, as we do our part in modernizing Ontario’s correctional system and keeping our communities safe.
About the job
As part of the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre Care team, you will help prepare people in prison to re-enter our communities. Every day will be a little different, but you can expect it to include activities like:
- diagnosing, treating, assessing and evaluating clients
- facilitating weekly group therapy sessions
- administering, evaluating and interpreting psychological tests
- completing clinical assessment to determine treatment needs related to offending pattern writing risk assessment reports for the Ontario Parole Board
- planning and leading research and program-evaluation projects
- providing supervision and helping to train junior staff
- providing consultation to the multidisciplinary team
This is a continuous posting and will be posted until filled. Screening and selection processes will begin after July 1st 2025. This posting may be extended but could close at any time after this date without notice. Please only submit your application ONCE under this Job ID.
What you bring to the team
Mandatory requirements
- You are registered in good standing as a Psychologist or Psychological Associate in the Province of Ontario
Please note: Registered Psychologist or Registered Psychological Associate in supervised practice may be considered if direct supervision can be provided.
Specialized knowledge and skills
You have proven knowledge of:
- the science and practices of psychology, including psychotherapeutic and assessment techniques
- clinical or forensic psychological theories, practices and procedures
- You can use complex treatment techniques and consult and advise in diagnosing and treating clients.
Communication and relationship skills
You can:
- effectively communicate assessment and treatment information
- use motivational interviewing skills that encourage clients to use mental health services that can help them change behaviours
- maintain strong working relationships with multidisciplinary teams and community agencies
Analytical and organizational skills
You can:
- find the most appropriate diagnostic approach
- evaluate how effective and efficient treatment and rehabilitative programs are
- use good judgement when working with confidential information
- organize, plan and coordinate psychological services
What we offer
We are a dedicated, supportive, and compassionate team of health professionals, where psychologists play a crucial role in rehabilitating and transforming lives of people in our correctional institutions.
This role comes with a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that includes:
- a defined-benefit lifetime pension plan (guaranteed, ongoing inflation-protected income after retirement)
- group health, dental, life and disability benefits
- a range of vacation and leave options
- an Employee and Family Assistance Program, which provides confidential counseling services. The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario’s largest employers. Employees work for 31 ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province. We offer:
- a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
- flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
- many employee networks offering support for and education about underrepresented groups
Don’t meet every qualification?
If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario’s Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.
Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:
Additional information
Address:
- 2 English Permanent, 165 Barton St E, Hamilton, West Region, Vulnerable Sector Check
Compensation Group:
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
Understanding the job ad – definitions
Schedule: 3.7
Category: Health and Social Services
Posted on: Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Note:
- About security checks:
A criminal or other federal offence record does not automatically disqualify youfrom the position. We consider each situation based on the position’s responsibilities.
If a check is needed and you’ve lived outside of Canada in the past 5 years for 6 or more months in a row, or if you are not a Canadian resident, you’ll need to provide an out-of-country police clearance certificate from the country you lived in.
Employment screening checks are only reviewed and evaluated by the Transition and Security Office, which also maintains them and keeps them strictly confidential. - T-CL-230127/25(2)
How to apply:
- You must apply online.
- Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
- Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
- Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
- OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
- If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.
Please be advised that the results of this competition may be used to form an eligibility list of qualified candidates to potentially fill future vacancies represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). In accordance with the Collective Agreement, eligibility lists are shared with OPSEU representatives. By applying to this competition, you are providing consent that your name may be shared with OPSEU representatives.
All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee’s exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.
Remember:
The deadline to apply is Tuesday, August 5, 2025 11:59 pm EDT. Late applications will not be accepted.
We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.
The Ontario Public Service is an inclusive employer.
Accommodation is available under the Ontario’s Human Rights Code.