Pediatric Psychologist

The Pediatric Psychologist provides specialized mental health services to abused, neglected, and at-risk children and their caregivers within the Department of Pediatrics at UC Davis Health. This position involves conducting psychological assessments, developing and implementing evidence-based treatment plans, and providing therapy to support recovery, resilience, and healthy development.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the Pediatric Psychologist collaborates with pediatricians, social workers, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to deliver coordinated, trauma-informed care that addresses each child’s emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs. The role also includes clinical documentation, participation in case consultations, and contributions to education, training, and program development efforts within the department.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply evidence-based interventions tailored to children’s developmental stages and clinical presentations
• Consult with multidisciplinary care teams to integrate psychological services into overall patient care plans
• Support caregivers and families through education, coaching, and emotional guidance
• Participate in case reviews and provide professional input on treatment strategies and behavioral management
• Assist in developing and refining pediatric behavioral health programs within the department
• Maintain current knowledge of emerging research and best practices in pediatric psychology
• Contribute to teaching, training, or supervision of students, residents, or fellows as assigned

Apply By Date: November 04, 2025, at 11:59 PM.

Minimum Qualifications – For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload a license and/or certification if required for the position

• California Licensed Psychologist (PSYCH) or eligible for licensure. Licensure must be obtained within 6 months of the date of hire
• Must hold a Doctorate in Psychology (e.g., PhD or PsyD)
• Post-doctoral placement approved by APA, APPIC, or CAPIC to accrue SPEs towards licensure (if applicable)
• experience with psychological assessment
• Experience with at least one evidence-based treatment
• Experience working with children, adolescents, or families
• Experience working with psychosis
• Experience providing DBT
• Experience providing trauma-informed care, including but not limited to evidence-based treatment models for trauma
• Skills in conducting psychological services (i.e., assessment, therapy, supervision)
• Communicate and interact effectively with people of different intersectional identities and from multiple disciplines and backgrounds
• Ability to work independently and seek consultation when appropriate

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience navigating the child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems
• Experience completing child welfare evaluations, such as the ability to benefit from reunification services, bonding assessments, and the ability to parent safely and adequately
• Experience with forensic assessments such as juvenile competency to stand trial, disposition evaluations, risk assessments for juvenile sex offenders, mental health diversion evaluations, or other forensic assessments
• Experience working with high-risk adolescents
• Training and experience in TF-CBT, PCIT, and/or CBT
• Experience working with disordered eating
• Advanced communication skills (oral and written)
• Ability to approach clinical care with cultural humility (Cultural humility is a practice of self-reflection on how one’s own background and the background of others impacts teaching, learning, research, creative activity, engagement, leadership, etc.)
• Skills in conducting psychological services in other languages (Spanish), reflecting a commonly spoken language among clients
• Demonstrated ability to provide clinical training and supervision to trainees and staff
• Demonstrated commitment to, or lived experience with, underserved and/or minoritized populations with exposure to trauma, including but not limited to child maltreatment, community violence, racial trauma, and trauma related to immigration or separation

Key Responsibilities

• 85% – Mental Health Services
• 5% – Psychological Evaluation & Assessment Services
• 5% – Collaboration
• 5% – Community Training & Outreach

Department Overview

The vision of the Department of Pediatrics is the healthiest future for all children and families, with a mission dedicated to creating a healthy future for all children through outstanding patient care, transformative research, innovative medical education, and community-based advocacy. As part of this mission, the purpose of the CAARE Diagnostic and Treatment Center is to provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed patient care (mental health services), teaching, and research on behalf of abused/neglected and at-risk children. The CAARE Center specializes in treating childhood trauma, offering evidence-based treatment within a multidisciplinary setting that values staff wellness. Mental health services are provided to children ages 0 to 21 through various service contracts and grants across settings, including outpatient clinics, pediatric clinics, juvenile halls, and community settings.
The CAARE Center offers competitive salaries combined with exceptional employment benefits, including medical, dental, and vision plans, generous paid vacations and holidays, excellent retirement savings and investment plans, continuing education, reduced fee, scholarship, and loan repayment programs. The CAARE Center has some flexibility in work hours, supports professional development, and offers weekly supervision and training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, PC-CARE, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. All therapists are trained in at least two evidence-based treatments, and supervision is provided for those accruing hours towards licensure.

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $4,346.40 – $5,735.20
• Salary Frequency: Bi-weekly
• Salary Grade: 159
• UC Job Title: PSYCHOLOGIST 1
• UC Job Code: 009384
• Number of Positions: 2
• Appointment Type: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100% Full-time
• Shift (Work Schedule): 08hours
• Location: Jackson Business Park IV, Sacramento, CA
• Union Representation: HX-Healthcare Professionals
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is 100% on-site
• THIS IS NOT AN H-1B VISA OPPORTUNITY

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources, and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial, and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility rules by visiting either our handy Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees and our Benefits Page.
If you are represented by a union, benefits are negotiated between the University of California (UC) and your union and finalized in a contract. Read your bargaining unit’s employment contract, stay abreast of current negotiations, and learn about collective bargaining at UC: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/index.html.

• High-quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family’s needs
• UC pays for Dental and Vision insurance premiums for you and your family
• Extensive leave benefits, including Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave
• Paid Holidays annually as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Education Reimbursement Program as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
• WorkLife and Wellness programs and resources
• On-site Employee Assistance Program, including access to free mental health services
• Supplemental insurance offered, including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance, and legal coverage
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer & Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program for qualified roles
• Retirement benefit options for eligible roles, including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans. More information on our retirement benefits can be found here

Physical Demands

• Standing – Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Walking – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Sitting – Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs – Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Bending/Stooping – Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling – Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Twisting – Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Reaching overhead – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion – Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours

Environmental Demands

• Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes – Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Loud noise levels – Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Marked changes in humidity or temperature – Occasional, up to 3 Hours
• Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment – Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Extreme Temperatures – Occasional Up to 3 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration – Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning – Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize – Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Communication skills – Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Numerical skills – Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Constant Interaction – Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact – Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks – Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours

Work Environment

• UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis-owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

Special Requirements – Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position.

• This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation, clearance, and functional capacity assessment
• This position is designated as a mandated reporter under CANRA and UC policy, and employment is contingent on compliance with applicable policies, procedures, and training requirements

Misconduct Disclosure requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we’re committed to solving life’s most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.
As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan, and our strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.
To view the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination
Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn’t match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere #CA-SS
To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks