Postdoctoral Psychologist

Center for Justice Innovation • New York, NY

21d • Onsite

About The Position

This postdoctoral fellowship in forensic psychology is a collaboration between the Center and Columbia University that focuses primarily on forensic assessment with an opportunity to provide psychotherapy to individuals re-entering the community from incarceration. Postdoctoral fellows conduct forensic assessments mainly for the Jail Population Review Program. The Jail Population Review Program provides a number of clinical consultation services, including independent clinical assessment, review of medical records, and psychological testing when indicated.
The postdoctoral fellowship is a one to two-year, full-time program providing advanced training at the intersection of psychology and law. Fellows gain supervised experience conducting psychological evaluations in the criminal court context, primarily brief and comprehensive clinical assessments of incarcerated people, as well as violence risk assessments (general violence, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence) using the Structured Professional Judgement (SPJ) approach, criminogenic risk and needs assessments, and mitigation psychological evaluations. Fellows also conduct psychological evaluations and testing to assist the courts in developing treatment plans for those involved in court-mandated treatment, such as mental health courts or other alternative-to-incarceration programs. In collaboration with Columbia University, fellows may conduct psychotherapy with one participant of the Columbia Reentry Initiative under the supervision of Columbia’s faculty or audit a graduate level forensic psychology course at Columbia University (Forensic Assessment or Correctional Psychology). The Columbia Reentry Initiative at the Dean Hope Center for Educational and Psychological Services at Teachers College is a no-cost, evidence-based and trauma-informed psychological treatment program designed to support adults reentering to the community following incarceration.
Postdoctoral Psychologists attend weekly multidisciplinary case discussions and monthly didactic seminars covering topics such as case law relevant to forensic psychology, report writing for legal audiences, cultural considerations in forensic work, and other topics related to forensic assessment.
Postdoctoral Psychologists report to the Supervising Forensic Psychologist and receive clinical supervision from the Supervising Forensic Psychologist and the Senior Director of Forensic Psychology in order for the candidate to become licensed within 18 months of employment. Of note, this is a postdoctoral position and therefore a full-time position after licensure is not guaranteed.
The Postdoctoral Psychologist will work with stakeholders, including judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, special jurisdiction courts, ATI programs, Correctional Health Services, and the Department of Correction. This role presents a unique opportunity to be part of a groundbreaking systemic reform initiative. This role involves navigating and constructively engaging with differing and, at times, competing stakeholder perspectives.

Requirements

• Post-doctoral psychologist: A Ph.D. or Psy.D in Psychology. Candidates are expected to obtain a New York State Psychology limited permit to practice as a psychologist under supervision.
• Candidates must have willingness and ability to work collaboratively with a variety of court personnel and on-site partner agencies in a high-pressure/fast paced work environment
• Experience working with individuals experiencing mental health issues, substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, and/or homelessness is strongly preferred
• Experience conducting psychological evaluations and forensic mental health assessments
• Experience conducting psychological testing
• Candidates must have ability openness to engage with differing and, at times, competing stakeholder perspectives
• Candidates must have a commitment to, and experience with, trauma-informed holistic and strengths-based approaches, and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally competent manner
• Knowledge and/or lived experience related to the criminal justice legal and its impacts on communities preferred
• Must be able to work effectively both independently and as part of a highly interdependent, multi-disciplinary team within a fast-paced and dynamic work environment
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual (English-Spanish) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct clinical/psychological evaluations to identify clinical needs, clarify diagnoses, identify risk factors for violence or recidivism, and create treatment/management plans that improve clinical outcomes and mitigate risk
• Conduct psychological testing for different referral questions (e.g., diagnostic clarification, assessment of personality disorders, assessment of cognitive/intellectual deficits, assessment of exaggeration/feigning of psychiatric symptoms) when indicated
• Assist with reviewing screening information and medical records from Correctional Health Services and identify individuals currently at Rikers Island who may be eligible for pretrial diversion
• Coordinate and collaborate with all legal stakeholders as needed, including, but not limited to prosecutors, defense attorneys, the New York State Unified Court System, Department of Correction, Correctional Health Services, and an array of community-based alternative to detention and alternative-to-incarceration programs
• Troubleshoot operational, procedural, and administrative challenges as they arise to advance the clinical review process simultaneously with the legal process and reduce delays in jail diversion
• Coordinate and collaborate with all treatment court parts in New York City
• Attend monthly didactics
• Present clinical information and treatment recommendations to legal stakeholders, as needed (judge, defense counsel, prosecutor, and court staff)
• Participate in regular team meetings and clinical supervision weekly, as well as staff meetings and trainings, as scheduled
• Enter and maintain appropriate up-to-date participant information, including all pre-plea screening and assessment information and case information in case management systems
• Assist the New York Legal Policy Team with the refinement of existing clinical assessment practices and the development and implementation of new initiatives; including improving screening and assessment processes
• Assist with other programmatic and administrative tasks to support the Jail Population Review initiative
• Participate in research and policy initiatives
• Additional tasks as necessary

Benefits

• The Center for Justice Innovation offers an excellent benefits package including comprehensive healthcare with a national network, free basic dental coverage, vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts including commuter FSA.
• We prioritize mental health care for our staff and offer services like Talkspace and Ginger through our healthcare plans.
• We offer a 403(b) retirement plan with a two-to-one employer contribution up to 5%.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree