Psychologist (Fam. Court) II

Duties & Responsibilities

Purpose of Position:
This class of positions encompasses professional and/or supervisory work of varying degrees of difficulty in the field of forensic psychology within the City’s Family Court System. The position conducts court‑ordered evaluations of a culturally diverse population of families, youths, and adults for juvenile delinquency, termination of parental rights, custody disputes, neglect and abuse cases, and other Family Court proceedings. Evaluations are conducted in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal rules and regulations, and with psychology standards of care.

The role also includes mandated reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect to the New York State Central Registry.

Assignment Level II:
Under direction, with broad latitude for independent decision‑making, performs responsible professional and/or supervisory work in the field of forensic psychology as it relates to Family Court cases.

• Works with the City’s Family Court System to conduct impartial and objective court‑ordered forensic clinical evaluations for juvenile delinquency, termination of parental rights, targeted custody issues, neglect and abuse cases, and other Family Court proceedings, in compliance with program requirements and quality standards.
• Completes multiple clinical evaluations within the standard/acceptable caseload requirements and time frames of Family Court Mental Health Services (FCMHS).
• Through clinical interviewing, interactional observation, and/or the selection, administration, and interpretation of standard tests of personality, development, and intellectual capacity, evaluates individuals’ emotional and intellectual functioning. Ensures evaluations comply with Family Court protocols and legal admissibility standards.
• Conducts research necessary to prepare court testimony.
• Prepares formal written reports, which will be included in court records including in emergency or expedited cases.
• Testifies as an expert witness in Family Court cases where directly involved in evaluations.
• Participates in in‑service educational and administrative activities, in compliance with program requirements and quality standards.
• Conducts a sufficient number of interviews to render recommendations to the court with a reasonable degree of professional certainty.
• Obtains informed consent when necessary, and informs all participants of the limits of confidentiality and the conditions of disclosure of information.
• Makes recommendations in all evaluations matters (e.g., juvenile delinquency and child protection) utilizing information derived from the integration of all available data and prepares reports for court records in a timely manner.
• Supervises the work of unlicensed psychologists, psychology interns, psychologists‑in‑training, and coordinates their activities with the work of other City Agencies, including Secure Detention facilities, Non‑Secure Detention Homes, Group Homes, etc.
• Assists with or coordinates training programs and conducts case conferences and seminars for training purposes.
• Provides instructions to psychologists and psychologists‑in‑training on diagnostic and evaluation techniques.
• Assists with or conducts in‑service training programs, staff conferences and seminars, including providing curriculum material.
• Reviews existing court, medical, and mental health records to compile respondents’ histories and summarizes findings into reports for licensed psychologists’ use in evaluations, which may also be used in court records.
• Conducts interviews with collateral contacts (e.g., family members, therapists, school staff) and summarizes findings into reports for licensed psychologists’ use in evaluations.
• Administers, scores, and interprets cognitive assessments and/or psychological tests and documents testing procedures, provides results, and includes any environmental and/or individual limitations that may have affected test results.
• Attends and participates in all general training and staff conferences, as assigned.
• May perform other relevant professional clinical activities, as directed and with required supervision.

• Valid…