JPD - Forensic Psychologist, Cook County Juvenile Court

Forensic Psychologist, Cook County Juvenile Court Clinic

The Forensic Psychologist conducts court-ordered evaluations primarily for the Child Protection Division. These evaluations are focused on the parents of children who have experienced abuse or neglect and are used to inform legal decisions about visitation, reunification, termination of parental rights, and case closure. Using a multisource, multimethod approach, the Forensic Psychologist assesses various issues that contribute to parents' fitness and their risk of future child maltreatment, including but not limited to mental health, substance abuse, intimate partner violence, trauma, parenting beliefs and practices, child development and behavior, and social support. The Forensic Psychologist may also have opportunities to conduct evaluations of youth for the Juvenile Justice Division when needed.

Essential duties include:

1. Conduct forensic child protection evaluations to address pending legal questions such as visitation, change of permanency goal, termination of parental rights, return home, motion for case closure, and motion to vacate or transfer guardianship. Review relevant records; conduct multiple forensic interviews with evaluation subjects (generally parents or other caregivers who are parties to a child protection matter); interview children who are the subjects of a child protection petition; interview caseworkers and other relevant collateral sources (e.g., community therapists); administer and interpret psychological tests; and write comprehensive, well-supported reports that answer the Court's questions and comport with forensic best practices.
2. Provide on-call coverage (several times per month) for same-day evaluations of a parent's capacity to consent to specific adoption and/or voluntarily relinquish parental rights. Review available records, conduct a brief clinical interview with the parent and prepare a brief report of findings.
3. Conduct court ordered forensic evaluations for the Juvenile Justice Division of the Cook County Juvenile Court to address pending legal questions such as sentencing alternatives, fitness to stand trial, risk assessments, and capacity to waive Miranda rights. Review relevant records; conduct multiple forensic interviews with evaluation subjects (youth who are the subjects of juvenile court petitions); interview parents/guardians and relevant collateral sources; administer and interpret psychological tests; and write comprehensive, well-supported reports that answer the Court's questions and comport with forensic best practices.
4. Testify in court as an expert witness regarding forensic evaluations tendered to court.
5. Participate in supervision and training initiatives, including but not limited to regular meetings with primary supervisor, monthly psychologist and staff meetings, and internal and external trainings related to child protection, juvenile justice and forensic evaluation.
6. Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

1. Strong communication skills, including the ability to effectively convey information and opinions through written reports and oral testimony.
2. Cultural competence, including an awareness of how experiences, beliefs and values of diverse individuals and groups affect clinical forensic interactions and practice.
3. Knowledge of ethical and best practice standards for the practice of clinical and forensic psychology.
4. Ability to work cooperatively in an interdisciplinary setting.

Minimum qualifications include:

• Successful completion of a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from an APA accredited program or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired.
• Successful completion of an APPIC accredited pre-doctoral internship.
• Current Illinois psychologist license (out of state applicants must be eligible for licensure in Illinois).
• Clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and families.
• Experience working with court-involved populations in a clinical or forensic capacity.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Pre-doctoral training in forensic psychology and/or psychology and the law.
• Completion of a forensic post-doctoral fellowship and/or two to three years post-doctoral experience conducting forensic evaluations, with preference given to those candidates with experience in child protection or juvenile justice settings.
• Experience providing courtroom testimony pertaining to forensic evaluations.
• Fluency in Spanish, sign language or other non-English languages.

Working conditions / physical requirements:

• Work is performed primarily at the Cook County Juvenile Center, 2245 W. Ogden Ave, 5th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60612.
• Requires the ability to travel occasionally (two to three times monthly) to community locations and suburban courthouses as part of conducting evaluations.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications required. Management reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities as needed to meet operational needs. This position requires a pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check. All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all required screening criteria.