Forensic Evaluator- Utah State Hospital

State of Utah; Provo (UT); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental & Vision

Paid Leave

Retirement Plan

On-site Cafeteria

Job summary

Utah State Hospital is seeking a Doctoral-level psychologist to perform forensic evaluations across Utah. The role involves testing, reporting, and providing expert testimony in court, with opportunities for research and supervision in graduate programs.

The position offers a hybrid work arrangement, comprehensive benefits, and statewide travel for evaluations. Applicants must have a Utah-licensed or eligible psychologist credential and relevant forensic experience.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or PsyD) in clinical psychology from an APA-accredited program.
• Licensed as a Psychologist in Utah or eligible to practice in Utah.
• At least one year of forensic evaluation experience.
• Training in adolescent brain development and related conditions (e.g. Autism, TBI).
• Training or experience with written and oral communication with legal personnel (attorneys, judges).
• Training or experience in providing courtroom testimony.
• Knowledge of human behavior, mental processes, and assessment methods.

Responsibilities

• Assess, opine, and generate reports on competence to proceed, guilty with a mental condition, diminished capacity, malingering, and juvenile competency to proceed.
• Selects, administers, and interprets psychological tests and assessments.
• Reports results, findings or recommendations in a formal written report.
• Acts as an expert witness in court cases and/or hearings.
• Consults with cross-disciplinary team on client/patient cases.
• Travel across the State to various correctional facilities for evaluations.

Skills

Forensic evaluation

Court testimony

Written & oral communication

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Travel to evaluate

Education

Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology

APA-accredited program

Job description

Forensic Evaluator- Utah State Hospital

If you have a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a passion for Forensic Evaluation, come shape the future of justice and mental health by joining Utah's Forensic Evaluation Program! Become an integral part of a dedicated team of professionals at the Utah State Hospital.

FT / PT Status – Full-Time
Benefits Eligibility – This position is eligible for a full benefits package.
Salary – $39.79 - $68.46 Hourly Wage
Remote Work / In-Office – Hybrid
Application Deadline – 11/30/2026*

*This job posting may close at any time after the minimum advertising period of three (3) business days has passed, should a sufficient applicant pool be received. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

The Psychologist - Forensic Evaluators at the Utah State Hospital are responsible primarily for Forensic Evaluations throughout Utah in coordination with the Utah State Hospital (USH), Division of Services for People With Disabilities (DSPD), Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services (JJYS) Competency Program, and District and Juvenile Courts requesting the forensic evaluations. In addition, this may include input on training, inter-agency communication, service coordination, research and outcome evaluation.

Key Responsibilities

• Assesses, opines, and generates reports on competence to proceed, guilty with a mental condition, diminished capacity, malingering, and juvenile competency to proceed.
• Selects, administers, and interprets psychological tests and assessments.
• Reports results, findings or recommendations in a formal written report.
• Acts as an expert witness. Gives testimony and/or recommendations in court cases and/or hearings.
• Consults with members of a cross-disciplinary team to discuss new or unusual situations, findings, options, and recommendations on client/patient cases.
• Travel across the State to various correctional facilities for evaluations.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or PsyD) and graduation from an APA accredited program in clinical psychology.
• Licensed as a Psychologist in the State of Utah or is eligible to practice in the State of Utah.
• At least one year of experience (either in graduate school, predoctoral internship, or postdoctoral fellowship/training) in conducting forensic evaluations (e.g., competency to proceed, mental state at time of the offense).
• Training in adolescent brain development, intellectual disability, and related conditions (e.g. Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury).
• Training or experience in written and oral communication with legal personnel, such as attorneys and Judges.
• Training or experience in providing courtroom testimony.
• Knowledge of human behavior and performance, mental processes, psychological research, or assessment methods, and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Preferences

Preference may be given to a candidate who:

• Licensed two years or more, have board certification, are board eligible, or have a clear path towards board certification in Forensic Psychology.

Physical Requirements

• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work. .

Working Conditions

• Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc

About the Role

As a Forensic Evaluator at the Utah State Hospital, you will have access to key professional growth opportunities. You will have the opportunity to engage in specialized didactic sessions led by licensed forensic psychologists, an annual forensic evaluator training conference, a weekly case law journal club, and an annual mock trial experience. Our team can offer support for research in forensic evaluation and treatment related topics. This role may provide clinical supervision and instruction within both predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship programs.

Location

1300 East Center Street
Provo, Utah, 84606
United States

Background Check Required – You must successfully pass a criminal history check.

Drug Test Required – No

Schedule Code – B - Competitive Career Service

Why You Should Join Our Team

In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah, click here.

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

Health Insurance: Multiple medical plan options, including a High-Deductible Health Plan with an associated Health Savings Account. Opt-out cash benefit available.

Dental & Vision: Multiple dental and vision plan options available.

Paid Leave: Accrue 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.

Retirement: A generous 10% employer contribution to your Utah Retirement Systems (URS) account (Tier II). Options include a Pension/401(k) Hybrid Plan or a Defined Contribution Plan.

To review the full benefits summary and access a Total Compensation Calculator, please visit the main state benefits page here.

Additional Benefits

Access to a UTA Bus Pass.

Cafeteria on site with meals, snacks and drinks available for purchase.

Access to the Utah State Hospital Disc Golf Course.

Access to comfort rooms while on campus, as well as other mental wellness benefits.

Supplemental Information

• Utah State Hospital provides comprehensive violence prevention and deescalation training for all employees during orientation. Ongoing training is provided to prioritize staff and patient safety.
• Division of Human Resource Management rules and Department of Health and Human Services policies regarding promotions and transfers apply to current employees.
• The Utah State Hospital is a smoke free environment. Tobacco or E-cigarette use is NOT allowed on campus.
• Utah State Hospital employees must pass both pre-employment and routine background checks.
• Only applicants that meet minimum qualifications will be contacted.
• Involves local travel for evaluations; schedule can be very flexible; state vehicles available or you may use your personal vehicle to perform the duties of this position; approved mileage is reimbursable through State Finance.

The Agency

The Utah State Hospital provides a safe and healing environment in which all people are treated with dignity and respect. It is our purpose to assist patients to reach their potential, through individualized treatment, with a high value being placed on meeting the needs of each patient in a humanistic, caring and professional manner.

For more detailed information about the Utah State Hospital, our treatment programs and philosophy, we invite you to browse our website.

EEO Statement

The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact [phone].