Post Doc - Testing Psychologist

About the Center for Justice Innovation

The Center for Justice Innovation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community safety and racial justice. Since 1996, we have worked alongside communities, courts, and those most directly affected by the justice system to build stronger, healthier, and more equitable neighborhoods. With a team of over 900 staff and an annual budget of $130 million, the Center carries out its mission through three core strategies:

Operating Programs that pilot new ideas and address local challenges

Conducting original research to evaluate what works—and what doesn’t

Providing expert assistance and policy guidance to reformers across the country and beyond

About the Jail Population Review Program

The Jail Population Review Program is an initiative in New York City led by the Center’s New York Legal Policy Team—court practitioners, clinical staff, and research and policy experts focused on developing and implementing critical operational and policy reforms and improving coordination between justice system stakeholders. The program reviews incarcerated individuals for opportunities for pretrial release or case resolution and provides critical information to prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges at the earliest possible juncture to facilitate meaningful dialogue before an individual spends weeks or months in jail.

Opportunity

This postdoctoral fellowship in forensic psychology is a collaboration between the Center and Columbia University that focuses primarily on forensic assessment with an opportunity to provide psychotherapy to individuals re‑entering the community from incarceration. Fellows conduct forensic assessments mainly for the Jail Population Review Program and provide clinical consultation services such as independent assessment, medical record review, and psychological testing when indicated.

The fellowship is a one‑to‑two‑year, full‑time program providing advanced training at the intersection of psychology and law. Fellows gain supervised experience conducting psychological evaluations in the criminal court context, including brief and comprehensive assessments of incarcerated people, violence risk assessments (general violence, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence) using the Structured Professional Judgement (SPJ) approach, criminogenic risk and needs assessments, and mitigation evaluations. Fellows also assist the courts in developing treatment plans for those involved in court‑mandated treatment and may conduct psychotherapy with a participant of the Columbia Reentry Initiative under supervision or audit a graduate‑level forensic psychology course at Columbia University. Fellows attend multidisciplinary case discussions and didactic seminars covering topics such as case law, report writing, cultural considerations, and other forensic assessment topics.

Responsibilities

Conduct clinical/psychological evaluations to identify clinical needs, clarify diagnoses, assess risk factors for violence or recidivism, and create treatment/management plans that improve clinical outcomes and mitigate risk

Administer psychological testing for a range of referral questions, including diagnostic clarification, personality disorders, cognitive deficits, and detection of feigning

Review screening information and medical records from Correctional Health Services to identify individuals at Rikers Island eligible for pretrial diversion

Coordinate and collaborate with all legal stakeholders, including prosecutors, defense attorneys, the New York State Unified Court System, Department of Correction, Correctional Health Services, and alternative‑to‑detention programs

Troubleshoot operational, procedural, and administrative challenges to advance the clinical review process alongside the legal process and reduce delays in jail diversion

Collaborate with all treatment court parts in New York City

Attend monthly didactics and present clinical information and treatment recommendations to legal stakeholders as needed

Participate in regular team meetings, clinical supervision, staff meetings, and trainings as scheduled

Enter and maintain up‑to‑date participant information in case management systems

Assist the New York Legal Policy Team in refining existing clinical assessment practices and developing new initiatives

Support other programmatic and administrative tasks for the Jail Population Review initiative

Participate in research and policy initiatives

Perform additional tasks as necessary

Qualifications

Ph.D. or Psy.D in Psychology; expected to obtain a New York State Psychology limited permit for supervised practice

Willingness and ability to work collaboratively with court personnel and partner agencies in a high‑pressure, fast‑paced environment

Strong experience working with individuals experiencing mental health issues, substance abuse, co‑occurring disorders, and/or homelessness

Experience conducting psychological evaluations and forensic mental health assessments

Experience conducting psychological testing

Openness to engage with differing stakeholder perspectives

Commitment to trauma‑informed, holistic, and strengths‑based approaches and cultural competence with diverse populations

Preferred knowledge or lived experience related to the criminal justice system and its community impacts

Ability to work independently and as part of a highly interdependent, multidisciplinary team in a dynamic environment

Excellent organizational and time‑management skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

Position Information

Position Type: Full‑time, Monday‑Friday, 9:00 AM‑5:00 PM

Position Location: Midtown Manhattan

Compensation: $80,900 – $90,000, commensurate with experience

Benefits: Comprehensive health care with a national network, basic dental, vision, short‑term and long‑term disability, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, commuter FSA, mental‑health care via Talkspace and Ginger, and a 403(b) retirement plan with a 2:1 employer contribution up to 5%

EEO Statement

The Center for Justice Innovation is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other category protected by law. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with prior contact with the criminal justice system. Our goal is to create a supportive and respectful environment where everyone, regardless of background or identity, feels valued and included.

At this time, the Center is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment.

Candidates are expected to provide accurate and truthful information throughout the hiring process. Any misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of material facts may result in disqualification from consideration, withdrawal of an offer, or termination of employment, regardless of when discovered. In compliance with federal law, all hires must verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment verification form upon hire.

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