Chief Psychologist

What We Offer

We value our employees and provide a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and future. Our offerings include:

• Competitive Salary - Your expertise is valued. We offer a strong, competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience.

• OMERS Pension Plan - Secure your future with our employer-supported pension plan.

• Comprehensive Health & Dental Benefits - Extensive coverage for you and your family.

• Generous Paid Time Off - Vacation, sick leave, and parental leave.

• Professional Development & Growth - Access opportunities for training, professional development, and specialized career pathways to help you excel.

• Dedicated Wellness Programs - Your mental and physical health are essential. Benefit from

wellness resources, mental health supports, and programs designed to help you thrive.

Employment Type

This is a full-time, regular position.

Vacancies

Vacancies: 1

Tentative start date: January 2027

Civilian Posting

Reporting to the Manager of Member Wellness, Engagement & Support, the Psychologist is responsible for delivering a wide range of services including psychological evaluation, organizational consultation, and training, in accordance with the regulations and professional practice standards of the College of Psychologists of Ontario.

The role supports managerial initiatives, program development, and a variety of training and educational activities related to psychological wellness. As the Service's lead clinical resource, the Chief Psychologist plays a strategic role in promoting the mental health and wellbeing of all Durham Regional Police members, providing subject matter expertise in resilience, crisis intervention, psychological support, treatment, education, and program guidance to ensure adherence to applicable legislation. As well, the Chief Psychologist will have direct oversight and

responsibility for a host of Mental Health Clinicians, offering a range of supports, evidence-based programs, and clinical and psychological consultation.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conducts psychological evaluations current and new candidates for specialized units.

• Develops, implements and delivers training programs that align with applicable legislation, directives, stigma reduction, resilience, suicide prevention and overall psychological health promotion.

• Provides psychological support, consultation, and short term intervention to sworn and civilian members during times of crisis, concern, or high risk assignments, including deployments and

international missions.

• Supervise a team of Mental Health Clinicians.

• Provide clinical expertise to Peer Supporters during critical incident defusing and debriefing sessions, and coordinating appropriate resources.

• Plans, develops, and delivers programs and interventions that support members and their families.

• Ensures confidential maintenance and management of all psychological records and documentation in compliance with statutory requirements.

• Offers subject-matter expertise and consultation to senior leaders and management regarding mental health policies, strategic direction, and member wellness issues.

• Leads the development and implementation of educational initiatives aimed at reducing stigma,

promoting psychological health, and enhancing resilience.

• Identifies psychological health and wellness training needs and develops, implements, and delivers training aligned with legislation, directives, stigma reduction, suicide prevention, and overall wellness promotion.

• Assists with wellness programs, including Wellness Check-In, Re-Integration, Addictions/Substance Abuse, Peer Support/Critical Incident Response Teams, Early Intervention, and Spiritual Support Services

• Collaborates and consults with Human Resources, internal stakeholders, external health

professionals, and vendors on psychological injury claims, disability management, return-to-work

processes, and the implementation of leading evidence-based wellness best practices.

• Oversees and is responsible for effective implementation of the DRPS Wellness Strategy.

• Liaises with provincial, national, and international police psychologists and professional associations.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Completion of a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.

• Current registration as a psychologist in good standing with the College of Psychologists and

Behaviour Analysts of Ontario.

• A minimum of 10 years as a practicing Clinical Psychologist with the majority of that experience

working with and providing clinical assessment and treatment to sworn and civilian police personnel.

o Experience providing sworn and civilian police personnel with psychological consultation,

intervention and referral to appropriate treatment resources.

o Experience using critical thinking skills in assessing, managing, and developing solutions for

psychological matters such as, but not limited to, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

o Experience with validated psychological assessment tools for pre-employment psychological

evaluations.

o Experience mentoring and supervising Mental Health Professionals (e.g. Psychotherapist, Mental

Health Registered Nurse, or Social Worker).

• Advanced skill and experience in psychological assessment, intervention, and evaluation of member suitability for various roles.

• Comprehensive knowledge of scientific and professional literature, including evidence based practices relevant to policing, trauma, critical incident response, and proactive resilience-building strategies.

• Strong ability to work independently with minimal supervision, demonstrating initiative, analytical

thinking, leadership, sound judgment, and effective decision-making in a fast paced environment.

• Proven capability to operate within a complex, sensitive, and often political organizational context, with a strong understanding of policing culture.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to relate empathically, build rapport, and reduce individual or organizational resistance to psychological services.

• Ability to balance and reconcile professional, organizational, and client centered responsibilities while maintaining strict adherence to confidentiality requirements.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex information across all ranks, deliver presentations that promote wellness and reduce stigma, and prepare precise and accurate documentation.

• Strong planning and organizational abilities, including experience with policy, guideline development and program support.

Knowledge of research design and methodology.

• Thorough knowledge of, and compliance with, legislation, ethical codes, and professional standards governing psychological services.

• Must be willing to be available to provide after-hours support for members on an as needed basis (i.e. critical incidents).

Hours

Monday to Friday / Day Shift (may occasionally require flexibility in hours or overtime)

Salary Level

This is a SOA Level 12 position starting at $199,428 (2025-2029 Collective Agreement)

Selection

As part of the selection for this position, qualifications and skills listed in the posting will be assessed to measure the suitability of all applicants. Assessments may include, but not be limited to: resume review, skills assessment (s), interview(s), medical assessment, psychological assessment, functional abilities testing and/or background investigation.

Note: If you require accommodation at any time during the recruitment process, please advise the Human Resources contact on the posting. Appropriate assistance will be provided pursuant to the Service's Accessibility directive.

How to Apply

For direct consideration, applicants must apply online by uploading a cover letter, resume, and certificate proving required education/training. Scan all required documents as one (1) pdf.file and upload when resume is requested. Human Resources is unable to accept e-mail, FAX, or in-person applications.

Durham Regional Police is an equal opportunity employer.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected will be contacted.

Contact

Applications for the above position will be accepted until 1600 hours on the closing date (November 20th, 2026) of this posting. Questions may be directed to Andrea Grieve at agrieve@drps.ca