Forensic Psychologist - Central State Hospital
Listed compensation
$95k-$113k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and weekend coverage.
Job Description
Explore a World of Opportunity with the State of Georgia!
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Join Team Georgia and impact lives everyday while receiving a robust benefits package designed for every stage of your career!
Job Title
Forensic Psychologist - Central State Hospital
Agency
Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Job Requisition ID
JR0000005788
Shift: Day (United States of America)
Compensation Details
$95,400 - $112,700
Job Description
Central State Hospital is the home of Georgia’s maximum secure forensic hospital, operated in the Payton B. Cook building in Milledgeville. CSH serves individuals who are referred by the criminal justice system for pre-trial psychiatric evaluation and/or inpatient treatment; those who have been found not guilty by reason of insanity at the time of commission of a crime or mentally incompetent to stand trial; and those who are admitted on hold orders from jails for psychiatric evaluation, treatment and stabilization.
We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Forensic Psychologist.
Under supervision of a hospital forensic director, the successful candidates will be responsible for the completion of criminal forensic evaluations.
Knowledge of abnormal psychology, pertinent statutes and case law related to the practice of forensic psychology, malingering assessment tools, intellectual testing, personality assessment, best practices in mental health treatment, and ethical/professional guidelines for the practice of forensic psychology is required.
Job duties include the participation on the recovery planning (treatment) team; facilitation of group treatment; participation in the development of individualized recovery (treatment) plans; documentation of treatment progress; completion of face-to-face forensic mental health evaluations to determine competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, and violence risk; report preparation; expert testimony; behavioral programming; clinical supervision of mental health counselors, and related work as assigned. Completion of the state's Competency to Stand Trial Certification process within one year of hire is required for continued employment.
Job Responsibilities & Performance Standards
Conducts court-ordered pretrial forensic psychological evaluations to answer questions of competency to stand trial and/ or criminal responsibility as a neutral friend of the court.
- Completes assessments on individuals admitted to a State Forensic Psychiatric Unit.
- Conducts forensic risk assessments and other psychological testing.
- Conducts groups and psycho-educational interventions.
License may be temporary, provisional, or permanent. "License eligible" if able to obtain within a reasonable time (i. e. relocation from another state)
Benefits
- Vacation- 15 days each year up to 5 years of service
- 18 days each year from 5-10 years of service
- 21 days each year for 10 + years of service
- Sick Leave – accrual at a rate of 10 hours per month (15 days each year)
- Holidays – the state of Georgia recognizes 13 paid holidays
- Retirement- 401(k) plan with a matching employer contribution
- Defined Benefit Pension Plan
- Available Insurance - Health
- Dental
- Vision
- Legal
- Disability
- Healthcare & Childcare spending accounts
- Life & dependent life insurance
- Federal Public Service Loan orgiveness Program qualified employer
About Milledgeville, GA
Milledgeville is within driving distance of the Atlantic Ocean; the Smokey Mountains; Atlanta or Savannah, Georgia. Information about Milledgeville can be found at this Wikipedia link: en.wikipedia.org
FOR THIS TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT, STATE LAW REQUIRES A NATIONAL AND STATE BACKGROUND CHECK AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT.
Qualifications -
Doctorate degree in clinical or counseling psychology from an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited college or university AND current Georgia license to practice psychology AND One year of experience at the lower level Psychologist 1 (HCP140) or equivalent. Note: License may be temporary, provisional, or permanent.
Preferred Qualifications -
Preference will be given to candidates with the following experience:
- Working with a population with severe / persistent mental illness
- Completing competency to stand trial evaluations
- Completing criminal responsibility evaluations
- Completing forensic violence risk assessments with the PCL-R and the HCR-20.
- Providing expert testimony in criminal forensic cases
- Providing group and individual therapy
Minimum Qualifications
Doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology from an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited college or university, current Georgia license to practice psychology, and one (1) year of experience at the lower level Psychologist 1 (HCP140) or equivalent.--Note: License may be temporary, provisional, or permanent.
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
The State of Georgia does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other protected categories in employment or the provision of services.
Qualified applicants may request reasonable accommodation when needed during the application and/or screening process by contacting the appropriate agency Human Resources department.
Key Responsibilities
The Forensic Psychologist is responsible for conducting court-ordered pretrial forensic evaluations, including assessments for competency to stand trial and criminal responsibility. Additionally, they participate in recovery planning, facilitate group treatment, and provide expert testimony in criminal forensic cases.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Doctorate degree in clinical or counseling psychology from an APA-accredited institution and possess a current Georgia license to practice psychology. At least one year of experience at the Psychologist 1 level or equivalent is required.
Qualifications
- Education
- Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Psychologist Career Context
Of the 50 active Psychology listings this role was benchmarked against, 46% are remote, 42% have no call, 62% require no weekends.
Psychology pay on WeekdayDoc is down 3.3% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).
The cost-of-living index for Georgia is 96.3 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$104k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $108k in an average-cost state. 59.8% of Georgia clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
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