Assistant Forensic Coordinator (Pretrial) Psychologist

Title: Assistant Forensic Coordinator (Pretrial) Psychologist

State Role Title: 49213

Hiring Range: $126,321.00 - $166,723.00

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Central State Hospital

Agency Website: https://dbhds. virginia. gov/facilities/csh/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Central State Hospital (CSH) is a 277-bed Joint Commission accredited
psychiatric inpatient facility located in Petersburg, Virginia. CSH has proudly
been serving citizens of the Commonwealth since 1870, when we opened our doors
as the first psychiatric hospital in the country dedicated to the treatment of
African Americans. A new and modern CSH is currently under construction on the
same property.

CSH maintains the only maximum-security treatment facility in the state (111
beds). We also have 166 beds available for individuals in the community who need
inpatient care, as well as individuals in the criminal justice system. We
believe that treatment should be holistic and focused on the person’s individual
needs, recognizing that recovery is not linear or the same for every person.
Treatment modalities may include medication, evidence-based group and individual
therapy, peer support, psychosocial rehabilitation, vocational training,
preparation for court, and treatment for substance use.

Central State Hospital is recruiting for an Assistant Forensic Coordinator
(Pretrial) Psychologist who will lead the development, implementation, and
oversight of competency restoration services and therapeutic programming for
pre-trial patients. This role provides critical training and consultation to
staff and treatment teams to ensure clinical practices align with patients’
legal needs, while also monitoring key data points to evaluate program
effectiveness and guide future initiatives. The psychologist will conduct
forensic evaluations as assigned, support treatment teams through the evaluation
process, and contribute to patient-flow meetings. Working collaboratively with
forensic leadership, this position helps ensure that all forensic patients are
evaluated and treated under legally sufficient court orders. The successful
candidate will model professionalism, support least restrictive interventions,
demonstrate cultural awareness, and maintain clinical competence as a Licensed
Clinical Psychologist in Virginia, along with completing all mandatory training
and other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required to Successfully Perform the Job

• Comprehensive knowledge of forensic psychology, including knowledge of legal
• Strong training and program management skills/experience.
• Ability to communicate with external stakeholders, including court personnel
• Strong consultation skills and ability to provide expert feedback to clinical

Work Schedule

The position follows a standard five‑day, eight‑hour work schedule. Most staff
work either 7:00 a. m.–3:30 p. m. or 8:00 a. m.–4:30 p. m. Work hours may vary based
on departmental needs, and final schedules will be confirmed upon hire.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology from an accredited
• Licensed or license‑eligible as a Clinical Psychologist in the Commonwealth of
• Completion of ILPPP Basic Forensic Evaluation Training or ability to obtain
• Demonstrated experience in clinical supervision, forensic evaluation, or

Additional Considerations

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior supervisory/management and/or process improvement experience preferred.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or
résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your
account to check the status of your application for this position.

Application Requirements: Applications and résumés for this position are
accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Electronic
Recruitment System only. Interview decisions will be based solely on the
information provided in your electronic application and/or résumé. Please ensure
you detail all relevant work experience clearly and specifically; we will not
make assumptions about your qualifications.
You will receive a confirmation of receipt once your application and/or résumé
has been successfully submitted. To check the status of your application, refer
to “Your Application” in your account.

This position is open until filled; however, applications/résumés will begin to
be reviewed within five (5) days of the posting date.

Background Investigation: All applicants are subject to an extensive background
investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may
include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, Department
of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks, employment verification,
and verification of education relevant to the position.

Under Virginia Code §§ 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral
Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers,
individuals convicted of specific ("barrier") crimes or those with pending
"barrier" charges.

Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are available to
individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in
accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance
or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at 1-804-524-7111 during
business hours (8:00 a. m. to 4:30 p. m.).

Equal Opportunity: The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all
aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits
historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and
protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national
origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age,
veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and
pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.* There shall be no
retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference: DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer
and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We
highly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and
U. S. Military Reserve members to apply and respond accordingly on the state
application.

Benefits: DBHDS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including your choice
of health plans, paid life insurance, retirement plans, 13 paid holidays, annual
leave, family personal leave, sick leave, employee discount programs, and more!

SOEI: Per the Code of Virginia §2.2-3114, persons occupying positions of trust
within state government or non-salaried citizens of policy and supervisory
boards file a disclosure statement with the Commonwealth’s Ethics Advisory
Council, as a condition to assuming office or employment, and thereafter shall
file such a statement annually on or before February 1. Additionally, per
Executive order, positions of trust include senior-level positions with
responsibility affecting legislative policies and rule-making authority or
substantive authorization and decision-making regarding policy, contracts and
procurement, audits, licensure, inspections and investigations, and investments
or other financial matters. Sections 2.2-3128 through 2.2-3131 of the Code of
Virginia require that each employee within a position of trust complete COIA
training within two months of their hire date and at least once every two years
after the initial training. This position is identified as a position of trust
within the agency.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: 1-804-524-7111

Email: CSHRecruitment@dbhds. virginia. gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging
individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative
Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to
provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging &
Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision
Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran
status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to
DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP
Letter [https://www. dars. virginia. gov/drs/cpid/PWContact. aspx] or by calling
DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI
dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as
applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.