Assistant Forensic Coordinator (Pretrial) Psychologist

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; Petersburg (VA); On-site; USD 126,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services seeks a licensed Clinical Psychologist to lead competency restoration and pretrial programming at Central State Hospital in Petersburg, VA.

The Assistant Forensic Coordinator will supervise staff, conduct forensic evaluations, support treatment teams, and ensure court-ordered care aligns with legal standards in a dynamic inpatient setting.

Qualifications

• Forensic psychology knowledge including legal evaluation issues.
• Experience supervising, supervising clinicians, and forensic treatment.
• Ability to consult with treatment teams and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, implementation and oversight of competency restoration services for pretrial patients.
• Provide training and consultation to staff to ensure practices meet legal requirements.
• Conduct forensic evaluations and support treatment teams through the evaluation process.
• Collaborate with forensic leadership to ensure legally compliant patient care.

Skills

Forensic psychology

Program management

Stakeholder communication

Clinical supervision

Education

Doctoral degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology

Licensed or license-eligible as Clinical Psychologist (Virginia)

ILPPP Basic Forensic Evaluation Training

Job description

Title: Assistant Forensic Coordinator (Pretrial) Psychologist

State Role Title: 49213

Hiring Range: $126,321.00 - $166,723.00

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Central State Hospital

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/csh/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Central State Hospital (CSH) is a 277-bed Joint Commission accredited psychiatric inpatient facility located in Petersburg, Virginia. CSH has proudly been serving citizens of the Commonwealth since 1870, when we opened our doors as the first psychiatric hospital in the country dedicated to the treatment of African Americans. A new and modern CSH is currently under construction on the same property. CSH maintains the only maximum-security treatment facility in the state (111 beds). We also have 166 beds available for individuals in the community who need inpatient care, as well as individuals in the criminal justice system. We believe that treatment should be holistic and focused on the person’s individual needs, recognizing that recovery is not linear or the same for every person. Treatment modalities may include medication, evidence-based group and individual therapy, peer support, psychosocial rehabilitation, vocational training, preparation for court, and treatment for substance use. Central State Hospital is recruiting for an Assistant Forensic Coordinator (Pretrial) Psychologist who will lead the development, implementation, and oversight of competency restoration services and therapeutic programming for pre-trial patients. This role provides critical training and consultation to staff and treatment teams to ensure clinical practices align with patients’ legal needs, while also monitoring key data points to evaluate program effectiveness and guide future initiatives. The psychologist will conduct forensic evaluations as assigned, support treatment teams through the evaluation process, and contribute to patient-flow meetings. Working collaboratively with forensic leadership, this position helps ensure that all forensic patients are evaluated and treated under legally sufficient court orders. The successful candidate will model professionalism, support least restrictive interventions, demonstrate cultural awareness, and maintain clinical competence as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Virginia, along with completing all mandatory training and other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required to Successfully Perform the Job

• Comprehensive knowledge of forensic psychology, including knowledge of legal issues related to evaluation and case law in Virginia.
• Strong training and program management skills/experience.
• Ability to communicate with external stakeholders, including court personnel and other DBHDS facilities.
• Strong consultation skills and ability to provide expert feedback to clinical treatment teams.

Work Schedule

The position follows a standard five‑day, eight‑hour work schedule. Most staff work either 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. or 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Work hours may vary based on departmental needs, and final schedules will be confirmed upon hire.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology from an accredited doctoral program
• Licensed or license‑eligible as a Clinical Psychologist in the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Completion of ILPPP Basic Forensic Evaluation Training or ability to obtain upon hire
• Demonstrated experience in clinical supervision, forensic evaluation, or treatment within a forensic setting

Additional Considerations

• Prior supervisory/management and/or process improvement experience preferred.

Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at 1-804-524-7111 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Background Investigation

Background Investigation: All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks, employment verification, and verification of education relevant to the position.

Under Virginia Code

• 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers, individuals convicted of specific ("barrier") crimes or those with pending "barrier" charges.

Equal Opportunity

The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference

DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We highly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply and respond accordingly on the state application.

Benefits

DBHDS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including your choice of health plans, paid life insurance, retirement plans, 13 paid holidays, annual leave, family personal leave, sick leave, employee discount programs, and more!

SOEI

• 2.2-3114, persons occupying positions of trust within state government or non‑salaried citizens of policy and supervisory boards file a disclosure statement with the Commonwealth’s Ethics Advisory Council, as a condition to assuming office or employment, and thereafter shall file such a statement annually on or before February 1. Additionally, per Executive order, positions of trust include senior‑level positions with responsibility affecting legislative policies and rule‑making authority or substantive authorization and decision‑making regarding policy, contracts and procurement, audits, licensure, inspections and investigations, and investments or other financial matters. Sections 2.2-3128 through 2.2-3131 of the Code of Virginia require that each employee within a position of trust complete COIA training within two months of their hire date and at least once every two years after the initial training. This position is identified as a position of trust within the agency.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service‑Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.