Psychologist I - Evaluator Court Services Statewide.

State of Colorado; Colorado; Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work arrangements for eligible

PERA retirement benefits

Paid holidays

Job summary

State of Colorado is seeking a Psychologist I to support forensic evaluations across Colorado in collaboration with the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health. The role involves conducting court-ordered assessments, writing detailed reports, and offering testimony as required.

Applicants must hold Colorado psychologist licensure and have at least one year of relevant experience. The position requires hybrid work with on-site reporting at least 2x per week and potential travel across the

Qualifications

• Current, valid licensure as a Psychologist by the Colorado State Board of Psychologist Examiners.
• One year of experience as a licensed psychologist or permitted psychologist candidate.
• Special Qualification: Valid licensure as a Psychologist.

Responsibilities

• Complete the equivalent of 12 court-ordered evaluations for competency, restoration, or sanity per month with written reports.
• Provide expert testimony to courts as needed and consult with supervisors on difficult cases.
• Develop and deliver professional opinions to courts on competency, restoration, and mental condition.
• Attend annual and ongoing competency training to stay current with forensic best practices.
• Perform additional duties or special projects as assigned by OCFMH.

Skills

Forensic evaluations

Written and oral communication

Independent work

Court testimony preparation

Education

Colorado Psychologist licensure

Job description

Department Information

Open to Colorado Residents Only

CDHS Court Services
Located within the Colorado Department of Human Services, the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health (OCFMH) is responsible for policy development, service provision and coordination, program monitoring and evaluation, and administrative oversight for the public behavioral health system. OCFMH funds, supports and monitors numerous mental health and substance abuse community programs and providers. OCFMH also operates the Colorado Mental Health Hospitals at Fort Logan and Pueblo and the Forensic Services
Division. OCFMH executes the States’ federal responsibilities as the State Mental Health Authority and State Substance Abuse Authority for the purposes of administering federal mental health and substance abuse block grant funds.
The Court Services Department employs forensically practicing psychologists to provide evaluative services statewide, with staff in Pueblo, Denver and other locations. Evaluators complete all court ordered forensic evaluations for defendants in criminal cases as so ordered by the court. These evaluations are performed in the jail, in the community, at Mental Health Hospitals and are performed by psychologists and psychiatrists, as mandated
in the Colorado Statute, 16-8.5.

Description Of Job

Hybrid Work: This position is required to report to the office at least 2x a week.
Our teams work within various settings including community agencies, jails, courts, and hospitals. The locations can include locked units and secure facilities and our clients may at times be unpredictable due to their mental health needs. Our team is required to make critical decisions in dynamic and fast-paced environments in order to ensure a high level of accountability for patient care. Our staff are required to maintain updated skills, knowledge, abilities, and competencies necessary to the position through continuing education, clinical supervision, literature review, and discipline and team development. This position may be required to travel throughout Colorado to meet the needs of the department.

Additionally As a Psychologist I You Can Expect To:

• Complete the equivalent of 12 court ordered evaluations for competency, restoration of competency or sanity/mental condition (if the evaluator meets qualifications) per month including a written report detailing their opinion regarding competency or sanity/mental condition, and if their opinion is incompetent includes an explanation of barriers to competency, clearly detailed in their report


• The Psychologist may be subpoenaed to testify to provide the court with information regarding their opinion. Evaluations may occur in various settings including hospitals, jails or in the community and this position responds to the location specified in the court order. This position requests collateral information as needed to inform their opinion and seeks consultation from their supervisor or colleagues on difficult, complex or ambiguous cases.


• Develop and deliver to courts, via expert testimony, professional opinion regarding the legal question of competency, restoration and in some instances sanity and mental condition


• Attends annual and ongoing competency training to statutorily and Forensic Services mandated training sessions to ensure evaluators stay informed of current trends and research in the field of forensic psychology.


• Present and provide feedback to peers during case presentations for continued growth and development and may be asked to submit evaluations for quality assurance and/or peer review


• This position may be called upon to perform tasks or undertake special assignments or projects deemed necessary by OCFMH, but not specifically referenced in the above duties


• Other duties as assigned

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

• Current, valid licensure as a Psychologist from the Colorado State Board of Psychologist Examiners

AND

• One (1) year of experience as a licensed psychologist or permitted psychologist candidate

No Substitutions

Special Qualification:

• Valid licensure as a Psychologist

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the area of Forensic Evaluations


• Experience in conducting and writing evaluations of competency to proceed


• Ability to work independently with little or no direction


• Clear and effective written and oral communication skill

Conditions Of Employment:

• Required vaccinations by the State of CO


• FULL BACKGROUND CHECK : This position will have direct contact with vulnerable persons (as defined by C.R.S.27-90-111: "Direct contact" means providing face-to-face care, training, supervision, counseling, consultation, or medication assistance to vulnerable persons, regardless of the level of supervision of the department employee. "Direct contact" may include positions in which persons have access to or unsupervised time with clients or patients, including but not limited to maintenance personnel, housekeeping staff, kitchen staff, and security personnel.)


• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:


• Disclose that information on the application.


• Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.


• Provide your employee number from your prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

CDHS Selection Process Explanation

Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.

• Preferred Qualifications & Competencies:




• Relevant years of state service experience.

Minimum Qualification Screening Process

A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position. You must complete the official State of Colorado online application. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications in the application form. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."
You must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

Comparative Analysis Process – Structured Application Review

After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve reviewing and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing.

Appeal Rights

You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated. You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board website.

EEO Statement

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

We are committed to increasing a "Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. The State of Colorado believes that a "Colorado for ALL" drives our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

About Us & Benefits

In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans


• Medical and dental health plans


• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account


• Paid life insurance


• Short- and long-term disability coverage


• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave


• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center


• Employee Wellness program


• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more


• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions


• *Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Our Values

• We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.


• Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.


• We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.


• Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.


• We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.


• Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

ADA Accommodations

CDHS is committed to a Colorado for ALL qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment.
This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to [e-mail].