Psychologist II – Court of Common Pleas, Family Division

Job Description

Company Description
A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What We Offer:

Impact – The work you do here matters to millions.

Growth – Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?

Diversity & Inclusion – Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.

Opportunities in Tech – Don’t wait for the future, shape it.

Benefits – We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Family Division, sometimes referred to as Family Court, is one of the three major divisions of the Court of Common Pleas. The Family Court of Philadelphia, located at 1501 Arch Street, consists of two major branches: Juvenile and Domestic Relations.

Domestic Relations deals with paternity, support, custody, visitation, and divorce. Domestic Violence cases are also assigned to the Domestic Relations Branch.

Juvenile Branch services include new case initiation, Juvenile Court Operations, Juvenile Probation, children and Youth Services (Adoptions) and Support Services.

APPLICATIONS AND RESUMES WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS POSITION THROUGH THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT WEBSITE AT: https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/fjdcareers.aspx.  APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/fjdcareers.aspx BY May 19, 2023.
Job Description
GENERAL DEFINITION:

This is psychological work at the full performance level administering a variety of psychological tests and applying psychological techniques in the evaluation of litigants, their children and/or collaterals involved in domestic relations cases. Testing and interviewing children and youths and providing psychological information to judges is a significant aspect of the work.

Performs professional prognostic and diagnostic evaluations of court‑referred clients; reports written or verbal findings as appropriate.  Provides psychological expertise to the Court as needed and may intervene in nonroutine cases by requesting medical assistance.

Work is performed under the direction of a supervising judge or court administrator.

This is graduate level professional work in psychology that requires a background in psychological evaluation, tests, and measurements.  There is a focus on clinical or counseling skills in a forensic setting.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Knowledge of psychological test administration techniques and standard test forms, devices, and procedures used to measure intelligence, educational attainment, personality factors, vocational aptitude, and learning disabilities.
Knowledge of classifications of mental illness and abnormal behavioral patterns.
Knowledge of personality structure and development.
Knowledge of the social factors influencing personality development.
Knowledge of psychological theories, principles, practices, and applications associated with individual and group assessment, treatment, and prognostics at a graduate school level.
Considerable skill in the evaluation and categorization of human behavior.
Good judgment in matters affecting the mental well‑being and physical safety of clients or those around them.
Knowledge of descriptive and inferential statistics related to psychometrics.
Knowledge of the sources of information and current literature and research in the field of psychology and psychometrics.
Knowledge of the application of psychological theory and techniques in psychotherapy.
Skill in administering a wide variety of psychometric examinations.
Skill in conducting psychotherapeutic interviews.
Skill in adapting psychometric tests for use in vocational guidance.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
Ability to solicit information from respondents that is indicative of mental status in terms of time, place and person.
Ability to interact effectively with forensic populations.
Ability to perceive and discriminate sound and shape.
Ability to interpret psychometric test scores.
Skill in conducting psychotherapeutic interviews. Therapy is not done
Skill in adapting psychometric tests for use in vocational guidance. Guidance is not done.
Ability to make sound recommendations based on psychometric data and personal interviews.
Ability to prepare written case histories and test evaluations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental officials, associates, social workers and others.
CERTIFICATIONS, PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS, LICENSING, & OTHER PREREQUISITES

Training in forensics. State psychology license.

APPLICATIONS AND RESUMES WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS POSITION THROUGH THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT WEBSITE AT: https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/fjdcareers.aspx.  APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/fjdcareers.aspx BY May 19, 2023.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

Assists in the psychological training of student interns, probation officer trainees and others in the criminal justice system.

Maintains needed forms (copying, filing, updating or revising).

Performs other duties as required.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Standard courtroom and office conditions.

Direct contact with diverse court clientele

APPLICATIONS AND RESUMES WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS POSITION THROUGH THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT WEBSITE AT: https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/fjdcareers.aspx.  APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/fjdcareers.aspx BY May 19, 2023.
Qualifications
REQUIREMENTS:

PsyD. or PhD. degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in in clinical psychology, counseling, or a related field.
At least five years of experience in abnormal behavior, tests and measurements, and applied psychology in a clinical or counseling setting.
At least three years of supervised paid psychological experience in a clinic or counseling agency involving diagnostic evaluation and therapy or guidance.
OR

Equivalent combinations of training and experience (which has included a (PsyD. or PhD. degree in an acceptable field as an educational minimum) providing the characteristics required to perform the essential functions of the class may substitute for those listed.
Training in forensics.
State psychology license.
Must successfully complete a panel interview.
Must successfully complete a criminal background investigation.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
Proof of Covid-19 vaccination required.
APPLICATIONS AND RESUMES WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS POSITION THROUGH THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT WEBSITE AT: https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/fjdcareers.aspx.  APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/fjdcareers.aspx BY May 19, 2023.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are normal for this position. They are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be assigned and required.

Administers, scores and interprets tests and batteries of tests in such areas as intelligence, educational attainment, personality factors, vocational aptitude, and learning disability; reviews literature to determine testing methods and techniques; consults with other psychologists on test administration techniques and results interpretation; investigates the appropriateness and validity of psychometric instruments being used or considered for use.
Prepares reports on psychological examinations for use in educational and vocational guidance and psychotherapy; prepares reports on testing required by the courts as part of sentencing; prepares written recommendations pertaining to inmate eligibility for work-release status; prepares written recommendations pertaining to development of service goals for inmates, children and youth.
Participates in planning and conducting psychological training to judges handling matters for a variety of professional and community groups; provides consultative services to social workers, probation officers or social service staff regarding particular domestic relations clients or children and youth problems; recommends appropriate psychological intervention with domestic relations clients or children and youth problems; recommends appropriate psychological literature for agency staff review; assists staff in the interpretation of psychological and psychiatric reports; coordinates agency staff usage of psychological and psychiatric diagnostic services in the community.
Attends and participates in psychology or social service staff meetings; discusses cases in progress; discusses and participates in the distribution of the testing and psychotherapeutic workload.
May provide technical direction to lower-level psychologists.
May assign work to clerical personnel and may supervise student interns in routine testing and casework.
Interviews essential contacts and evaluates the needs and strengths of individual clients and their family unit (may include children, geriatric and/or disabled populations).
Gathers client social, physical health, emotional, and treatment, guidance and placement data.
Receives and investigates suspected abuse/neglect referrals.
Assesses the threat to the alleged victim and acts on the risk factor. Generally determines the appropriateness of these referrals.
Reviews and evaluates references such as school reports, court records such as presentence investigations, and previous psychological and psychiatric evaluations for the purpose of evaluating client’s psychological status.
Selects, administers, scores, and interprets tests of intelligence, personality, achievement, aptitude and general dysfunction.
Prepares reports on psychological examinations for incorporation into psychiatric findings and for eventual use in diagnosis and treatment.
Consults with psychiatrists, psychologists, and probation officers in developing diagnoses and recommendations for court services.
Interprets laws, policies, and regulations in order to apply, with supervision, policy manuals, agency regulations and laws pertaining to the criminal justice system.
Maintains current knowledge of psychological practices, techniques, theories, tests and measurements.
Maintains knowledge of human behavior including individual differences, child and adolescent growth and development, adult and geriatric behavior, disabilities, motivation, group and family interactions, and abnormal behavior.
Participates in statistical computations for research projects.
Secures supplementary information, such as medical records.
Reviews cases with coworkers in a general staff discussion.
Participates in court proceedings as needed including serving as an expert witness.
Handles forthwith assessments as needed.
APPLICATIONS AND RESUMES WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS POSITION THROUGH THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT WEBSITE AT: https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/fjdcareers.aspx.  APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/fjdcareers.aspx BY May 19, 2023.
Additional Information
SALARY:      $101,720 – $113,687 (G35)

FILING DEADLINE:  May 19, 2023

APPLICATIONS AND RESUMES WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS POSITION THROUGH THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT WEBSITE AT: https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/fjdcareers.aspx.  APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/fjdcareers.aspx BY May 19, 2023.

Successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire.

Did you know?

We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
Generous retirement savings options are available
The First Judicial District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the First Judicial District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.