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.
The Vanier Centre for Women is a medium to maximum security facility for female offenders serving sentences of less than two years or who have been arrested and are remanded in custody awaiting trial. The institution has capacity for 333 inmates and is the only exclusively female institution in Ontario.
The Maplehurst Correctional Complex is a medium and maximum security facility for male offenders serving sentences of less than two years or who have been arrested and are remanded in custody awaiting trial. The institution has capacity for 1500 inmates.
About the job
As part of the Vanier Centre for Women and Maplehurst Correctional Complex Health Care teams, 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
Join our information session to learn more
To learn more about the role, the Vanier Centre for Women and Maplehurst Correctional Complex, and the recruitment process, we welcome you to attend our information session on Thursday, January 23 at 1:00 PM EST. Please register for the event here:
Registration for Information Session. Attendance is optional and will have no influence on the screening and selection process. If you can't make it but have questions about the role, please email Dr. Atif Shujah, Chief Psychologist, at atif.shujah@ontario.ca.
This is a continuous posting and will be posted until filled. Screening and selection processes will begin after February 3, 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
Don't meet every qualification?
If you're excited about this position and meet the mandatory requirements and 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!
OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism
We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.
We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.
Visit the
OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the
OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.
We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's
Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.
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!