Forensic Evaluator- Utah State Hospital

State of Utah•Provo, UT

18h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Forensic Evaluator at Utah State Hospital primarily conducts forensic evaluations throughout Utah in coordination with the Utah State Hospital, the Division of Services for People With Disabilities, the Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services Competency Program, and the District and Juvenile Courts requesting evaluations. The role may also contribute to training, inter-agency communication, service coordination, research, and outcome evaluation. The evaluator assesses and reports on matters including competence to proceed, guilty with a mental condition, diminished capacity, malingering, and juvenile competency to proceed. The position includes selecting, administering, and interpreting psychological assessments; preparing formal written reports; acting as an expert witness; and providing testimony or recommendations in court cases and hearings. The role involves consultation with cross-disciplinary teams and travel to correctional facilities across the state. The position is based at Utah State Hospital in Provo and is listed as hybrid. The schedule can be very flexible. State vehicles are available for local evaluation travel, or employees may use a personal vehicle with approved mileage reimbursed. Professional growth opportunities include specialized didactic sessions, an annual forensic evaluator training conference, a weekly case law journal club, an annual mock trial experience, and possible support for research. The role may provide clinical supervision and instruction in predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship programs.

Requirements

Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or PsyD) and graduation from an APA-accredited program in clinical psychology.
Licensed as a Psychologist in Utah or eligible to practice as a psychologist in Utah.
At least one year of experience conducting forensic evaluations, gained in graduate school, a predoctoral internship, or postdoctoral fellowship/training.
Training in adolescent brain development, intellectual disability, and related conditions such as autism and traumatic brain injury.
Training or experience communicating in writing and orally with legal personnel, such as attorneys and judges.
Training or experience providing courtroom testimony.
Knowledge of human behavior and performance, mental processes, psychological research or assessment methods, and assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Successfully pass a criminal history check.

Nice To Haves

Licensed for two years or more.
Board certification in Forensic Psychology.
Board eligibility in Forensic Psychology.
A clear path toward board certification in Forensic Psychology.

Responsibilities

Assess, provide opinions, and prepare reports on competence to proceed, guilty with a mental condition, diminished capacity, malingering, and juvenile competency to proceed.
Select, administer, and interpret psychological tests and assessments.
Report results, findings, and recommendations in formal written reports.
Act as an expert witness.
Provide testimony and/or recommendations in court cases and hearings.
Consult with cross-disciplinary team members about new or unusual situations, findings, options, and recommendations on client or patient cases.
Travel to correctional facilities across Utah to conduct evaluations.
Potentially contribute to training, inter-agency communication, service coordination, research, and outcome evaluation.
Potentially provide clinical supervision and instruction in predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship programs.

Benefits

Full benefits package.
Multiple medical plan options, including a High-Deductible Health Plan with an associated Health Savings Account.
Opt-out cash benefit for health insurance.
Multiple dental plan options.
Multiple vision plan options.
Accrual of 4 hours of annual leave and 4 hours of sick leave per pay period, with accrual rates increasing with state longevity.
12 paid holidays per year.
10% employer contribution to a Utah Retirement Systems (URS) account (Tier II), with a Pension/401(k) Hybrid Plan or Defined Contribution Plan option.
Access to a UTA Bus Pass.
On-site cafeteria with meals, snacks, and drinks available for purchase.
Access to the Utah State Hospital Disc Golf Course.
Access to comfort rooms on campus and other mental wellness benefits.
Job stability, career growth opportunities, meaningful work, and a supportive work environment.