Description

Department: MED-Psych & Behavioral Science
Salary/Grade: EXS/10

Job Summary:

This position is a Staff Psychologist at the Cook County Juvenile Court Clinic (CCJCC). The CCJCC is operated by Northwestern University through a contract with the Cook County Office of the Chief Judge and is the primary provider of forensic mental health evaluations to the Juvenile Justice and Child Protection departments of the Cook County Circuit Court. The Psychologist’s primary responsibility is to complete court-ordered forensic mental health evaluations for both Juvenile Court departments, including written reports and testimony, and will primarily complete evaluations of adolescents and families whose preferred language is Spanish. The Psychologist must be fluent in Spanish and have experience using Spanish in clinical or forensic settings. The Psychologist also participates in other consultation and training activities as directed to support the CCJCC’s operation. Opportunities for participation in program evaluation and research projects are also available.

Please note: Off campus at 2245 W. Ogden Ave, 5th Floor

Chicago, IL 60612

The Psychologist will occasionally be required to perform job duties outside of the CCJCC’s primary location, including providing testimony at suburban courthouses and/or conducting interviews or observations at community locations to accommodate case needs.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Completion of court ordered juvenile justice and child protection forensic evaluations that include relevant record reviews; multiple clinical interviews with subjects, parents/guardians, and relevant collateral sources; administration and interpretation of psychological tests (when relevant); and formulation of thorough, well-supported reports that comport with forensic best practices and answer the court’s questions.
  • Juvenile justice evaluations pertain to sentencing, fitness to stand trial, risk of harm to self or others, capacity to waive Miranda rights, and criminal responsibility (Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity).
  • Child protection evaluations involve the assessment of child maltreatment risk and its impact on pending legal questions such as visitation, permanency goals, termination of parental rights, and return home. The Psychologist may also complete same-day evaluations of a parent’s capacity to consent to adoption or voluntarily relinquish parental rights.
• Note: this psychologist will be primarily responsible for conducting evaluations where the subject, parents/caregivers, or other key collaterals speak Spanish.
• Testimony in court as an expert witness regarding forensic evaluations tendered to court.
• Participation in all-staff, clinician, and training meetings as scheduled.
• Participation in supervision and training activities (e.g., allowing students/trainees to observe evaluations and courtroom testimony when possible).

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Spanish language fluency with experience using Spanish in clinical or forensic mental health role.
• Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a doctoral degree in Psychology from an APA accredited program or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired.
• Successful completion of an APPIC accredited pre-doctoral internship.
• Current Illinois psychologist license (out of state applicants must be eligible for licensure in Illinois).
• Clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and families, and an urban population.
• Experience working with court-involved populations in a clinical or forensic capacity.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of ethical and best practice standards for the practice of clinical psychology.
• Cultural competence, including an awareness of how experiences, beliefs and values of diverse individuals and groups affects clinical interactions and practice.
• Ability to work cooperatively on an interdisciplinary team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Pre-doctoral training in forensic psychology and/or psychology and the law.
• Completion of a post-doctoral fellowship in forensic psychology and/or two to three years post-doctoral experience conducting forensic evaluations. Forensic experience with juvenile court involved minors or parents (i.e., juvenile justice or child protection) is preferred, but applicants with forensic experience with other populations will be considered.
• Experience providing courtroom testimony pertaining to forensic evaluations.
• Current Illinois sex offender evaluator licensure or immediate license eligibility.
• Experience with sex offender treatment and evaluation.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Knowledge of ethical and best practice standards for the practice of forensic psychology.
• Knowledge of juvenile court law and procedures.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.
Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.
Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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