Core Civic logo
Core Civic
Leavenworth, Kansas

Lead Psychologist

PsychologistFull-Time

Listed compensation

$195k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Up to $195,000 / Annual Salary, depending on experience

+ $10,000 Sign-On Bonus!

At CoreCivic, our mental health teams make lasting changes in the lives of offenders, as we set the standards of care in the industry. This is your opportunity to make a satisfying career even more rewarding.

CoreCivic is currently seeking a Lead Psychologist has a passion for providing the highest quality care in an in-patient, institutional setting.

CoreCivic employ over 100 psychologists and other mental health professionals who provide clinical services, assessment, consultation, program evaluation and staff development in the fast-paced environment of partnership corrections.

The Licensed Psychologist plans and implements all professional psychological service programs of a non-medical nature in the facility. Coordinates and directs the activities of personnel engaged in providing psychological services to inmates/residents.

The successful candidate should be able to perform ALL of the following functions at a pace and level of performance consistent with the actual job performance requirements.

Conducts psychological screenings and assessments based on review of available records, and clinical interviews with inmates.

As part of a mental health team, confers with other clinical staff, e. g., psychiatrists, mental health service providers, physicians, nurses, social workers, in order to gather and provide information concerning patient psychological problems, to ensure treatment activities are well integrated, and patient care follow-through occurs.

Provides treatment to inmates by developing, implementing, and modifying individual treatment plans based on evaluation of needs and level of functioning.

Makes regular rounds in segregation or other confined housing areas to assess inmate adjustment and mental health treatment needs.

Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of psychological counseling theory and techniques by way of treatments and activities used for individuals in caseload.

Provides appropriate mental health assessments, counseling, and confrontation avoidance interventions to address the needs of inmates in crisis.

Consults with psychiatry, mental health, nursing, medical, educational, chaplain, security staff, and others, as applicable to gather information and understanding into the reasons for the escalation of problems behaviors and changes in mental health condition of inmates.

More about CoreCivic!

Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee with over 70 facilities nationwide, CoreCivic is the leader in partnership corrections with a growing presence in:

CoreCivic Safety, we operate safe, secure facilities that provide high quality services and effective reentry programs that enhance public safety.

CoreCivic Properties, we offer innovative and flexible real estate solutions that provide value to government and the people they serve.

CoreCivic Community, we deliver proven and innovative practices in settings that help people obtain employment, successful reintegrate into society and keep communities safe.

With opportunities in correctional security, education, and healthcare, CoreCivic has a position that's perfect for you.

Each CoreCivic facility is like a small town. Our correctional facilities feature kitchens, dining halls, places of worship, classrooms, vocational training centers, health care clinics, recreational areas, housing units, administrative offices and more.

Working together, we provide hundreds of services and perform countless tasks every day. Teamwork is a way of life for CoreCivic employees and how we are able to provide the industry's highest quality safety and security around the clock.

CoreCivic offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO, Paid Holidays, 401(k) with company match and paid training!

Qualifications

Graduate from an accredited college or university with a Doctoral degree in Psychology.

Must possess a current, unrestricted license to practice psychology in the state where practice occurs, or be able to obtain state-specific licensure.

Seven years of post-independent licensure clinical experience, including six years of administrative supervisory experience is required.

Experience managing behavioral health treatment programs, treatment of SMI populations, and/or leading complex organizations required.

  • Experience in a correctional setting preferred.
  • A valid driver's license is required.
  • Minimum age requirement: Must be at least 21 years of age.
  • CoreCivic is a Drug Free Workplace & EOE– M/F/Vets/Disabled.

Key Responsibilities

The Lead Psychologist plans and implements professional psychological service programs and directs the activities of mental health personnel within a correctional facility. They conduct psychological assessments, develop individual treatment plans, and provide crisis intervention to inmates.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
10+ years of experience

Key Skills

Psychological assessmentClinical counselingTreatment planningStaff supervisionBehavioral health managementClinical consultationMental health screeningSMI population treatmentCorrectional psychology

Psychologist Career Context

Core Civic ranks #1 of 11 employers hiring Psychologist on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.

Of the 50 active Psychology listings this role was benchmarked against, 30% are remote, 36% have no call, 56% require no weekends.

Psychology pay on WeekdayDoc is down 1.2% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Kansas is 90.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$195k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $216k in an average-cost state. 61.0% of Kansas clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Psychologist Jobs

31 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution31 jobs · 19 employers

4
<$130k
4
$130k-150k
9
$150k-170k
14
$170k-190k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks28 jobs · 19 employers

401k / retirement match
89% this job
CME allowance
46%
Sign-on bonus
29% this job
Loan repayment
29%
PSLF eligible
21%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Psychologist (covering Salinas/Watsonville location)

San Andreas Regional Center · Salinas, California

$143k-$187k
#2

Clinical Psychologist / Neuropsychologist/Outpatient Clinic/Full-Time Employment/Palm Harbor

Harmony United Psychiatric Care · Palm Harbor, Florida

$150k–$183k
#3

Clinical Psychologist / Neuropsychologist/Outpatient Clinic/Full-Time Employment/Orlando

$150k–$183k
#4

Clinical Psychologist / Neuropsychologist/Outpatient Clinic/Full-Time Employment/Lutz

$150k–$183k
+ 29 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.4this job 3.0
Below most Psychology listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,736 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Leavenworth

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$254k≈ 1.3× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,210/mo≈ 7% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
20 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
92.5
State income tax
Up to 5.7%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Kansas City, MO-KS metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Core Civic logo

About Core Civic

Public Safety
Nashville, TN
5,001-10,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
PTO
Paid Holidays
401(k) with company match
Paid training