Senior Clinical Forensic Psychologist, Hennepin County, Psychological Services (Continuous) - Minnesota Judicial Branch

Hennepin County District Court invites qualified applications for a Senior Clinical Forensic Psychologist position to work in the Regional Psychological Services Division.

This is professional work requiring a high level of technological competence across a broad spectrum of complex psychological and psychological legal issues that are routinely encountered in court proceedings. Work includes performing forensic psychological evaluations of adult and/or child clients, using psycho-diagnostic tests and other professional techniques. Emphasis of the work is on the evaluation of personality characteristics and dynamics in contributing to the court's understanding of psychological-legal issues essential to court cases and preparation of disposition recommendations to the court.

The Psychological Services Division employs 20 examiners as part of the Fourth Judicial District Court and serves the surrounding metro area in the provision of approximately 2000 forensic evaluations annually. This arrangement allows examiners a closer look and a deeper understanding of court proceedings and their role in access to justice.

This position will be based in the Hennepin County Government Center at 300 South 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487. Work, including evaluations, will be conducted at multiple locations throughout the Twin Cities Metropolitan area. Some travel to court locations in the metro area is also required. Applicants are not required to be based in Minnesota, but limited travel to Minnesota may be required based on job responsibilities.

The Minnesota Judicial Branch offers a comprehensive benefits package. To learn more about benefits, click here.

Example of Duties:

• Provide court-ordered forensic psychological evaluations, to include Rule 20 and Civil Commitment, in order to reach expert opinions about highly complex psycho-legal issues.
• Prepare for and provide expert courtroom testimony related to forensic opinions.
• Assure full compliance with all federal and state ethical, licensing, and statutory requirements.   Provide consultation on forensic psychological issues to the court and stakeholders.
• Participate in training and evaluation of postdoctoral fellows; design and implement training activities for fellows and staff.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university whose program has been approved by the American Psychological Association with a Ph.D. or Psy.D. degree in Clinical or Consulting Psychology or its equivalent, plus post-doctoral training or experience performing forensic evaluations. 
• Licensed or license eligible by the Minnesota State Board of Psychology; licensure to be secured by the end of the probationary period.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of the principles of forensic psychology, clinical psychology, personality development, and psychopathology.
• Ability to travel to locations around the Twin Cities Metro Area.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Post-doctoral specialty training in forensic evaluation.
• Training and experience in conducting adult, juvenile, or family forensic evaluations.
• Ability to apply psychological expertise to the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of personality disorder, behavioral deviance, and mental illness.
• Ability to write about highly complex and technical findings in a clear, concise, and organized manner.
• Advanced clinical skills in managing involuntary clients in high-conflict situations and defusing the agitation and potential aggression of hostile, psychotic, and/or severely disturbed clientele.
• Skill in making critical decisions, negotiating conflict, and communicating objective opinions under hostile conditions required because of the adversarial nature of the court setting.
• Significant knowledge of state and federal statutes, case law, rules, and court processes relevant to the provision of forensic services to district court.
• Diplomate in Forensic Psychology from the American Board of Forensic Psychology.

SALARY:

The expected starting salary range for external candidates is $46.27 - $58.85 per hour ($96,611 - $122,878 annually). The full salary range for this position is $46.27 - $71.73 per hour ($96,611 - $149,772 annually). This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

• Complete and submit your online application with resume and cover letter. Please also attach two sample psychological reports with personally identifiable information redacted.
• The tentative start date for this position is Mid-October.
• Please contact Human Resources with questions regarding this posting via email: 4th.Human.Resources@courts.state.mn.us; or phone: 612-348-2298.