Forensic Social Worker 1 - Torrance State Hospital

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; New Mexico; On-site; USD 55,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

Do you seek a career where your support helps people build better futures as a Forensic Social Worker 1 with the Department of Human Services? In this role, you will assist patients at Torrance State Hospital as they work on improving their lives and strengthening their well‑being.

You will be part of a team focused on meaningful progress for every person served. This is your opportunity to make a lasting difference by providing social services and counseling to forensic patients placed through

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in social work or social welfare.
• Educational requirements may be met within three months of graduation.

Responsibilities

• Interview forensic patients, families, and agency contacts to gather information about social, medical, and emotional status.
• Assess patient needs and provide education and therapy to support improved functioning.
• Work with multidisciplinary staff to develop and carry out individualized care and treatment plans.
• Document patient progress toward social service goals and communicate updates to involved parties.
• Prepare discharge or transfer plans outlining continued care or follow-up needs.
• Maintain current court commitment records and complete recommitment petitions as required.

Education

Social Work degree

Job description

Salary: $55,316.00 - $80,646.00 Annually

Location: Westmoreland County, PA

Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number: CS-2026-61441-40061

Department: Department of Human Services

Division: HS Torrance St Hosp

Opening Date: 10/27/2026

Closing Date: 11/10/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code: 40061

Position Number: 00228276

Union: SEIU Local 668

Bargaining Unit: F4

Pay Group: ST06

Bureau / Division Code: 00210973

Bureau / Division: Torrance State Hospital

Worksite Address: 121 Longview Drive

City: Torrance, Pennsylvania

Zip Code: 15779

Contact Name: Sandra Schleicher

Contact Email: [e-mail]

THE POSITION

Do you seek a career where your support helps people build better futures as a Forensic Social Worker 1 with the Department of Human Services? In this role, you will assist patients at Torrance State Hospital as they work on improving their lives and strengthening their well‑being. You will be part of a team focused on meaningful progress for every person served. This is your opportunity to make a lasting difference.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position provides social services and counseling to forensic patients who have been placed through the criminal justice system for evaluation and treatment. You will support their progress while working closely with families, staff, and external agencies. As a Forensic Social Worker 1, you will perform the following duties:

• Patient Interviews: Interview forensic patients, families, and agency contacts to gather and update information about their social, medical, and emotional status
• Needs Assessment: Assess patient needs and provide education and therapy to support improved personal and social functioning
• Team Collaboration: Work with multidisciplinary staff to develop and carry out individualized care and treatment plans
• Progress Recording: Document patient progress toward social service goals and communicate updates to involved parties
• Discharge Planning: Prepare discharge or transfer plans that outline continued care or follow-up needs
• Commitment Compliance: Maintain current court commitment records and complete recommitment petitions as required

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non‑negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• A bachelor's or master's degree in social work or social welfare.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination and a drug screening.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Older Adult Protective Services Act.
• Under the Act, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports, including but not limited to, PA State Police and FBI clearance.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.