Psychologist - Forensic Evaluator - Statewide; Hybrid

Overview

The Court Services Department responds to court-ordered referrals for the evaluation of competency, restoration, sanity, and mental condition. Court Services has offices located in both Denver and Pueblo on the Mental Health Hospital campuses. The work unit manages and monitors the completion and deadlines for orders issued by the courts and assigns the evaluations to be performed by psychologists and psychiatrists in accordance with Colorado Revised Statute 16-8.5. The unit complies with the Barnes v.

DLC Consent Decree.

The current schedule will be a hybrid work arrangement (remote work and report on-site 2 days per week) but may change without prior notice based on business demands. The candidate selected for this position will have the option of being located at either the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan or Pueblo.

This position exists to perform and ensure the quality and timely completion of court-ordered evaluations and restoration reports required by Colorado courts. The evaluator is authorized to represent the Department in communication with Judges and Courts directly. A forensic evaluator must be a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist by Colorado Statute. This position performs competency evaluations, restoration to legal competency evaluations, and sanity/mental condition evaluations (if the evaluator meets qualifications per statute) and provides a written report containing their opinion to the courts and both attorneys assigned to a defendant's case.

Court Ordered Evaluations for Competency, Restoration of Competency or Sanity/Mental Condition

• Complete the equivalent of 12 court-ordered evaluations for competency or restoration of competency per month and a minimum of 6 assigned evaluations will be competency evaluations in the jail.
• Prepare a written report detailing the opinion regarding competency or sanity/mental condition, including an explanation of barriers to competency if applicable. Reports include information and opinions specified in C.R.S 16-8.5 and the Consent Decree.
• May be subpoenaed to testify to provide the court with information regarding the opinion.
• Evaluations may occur in hospitals, jails, or in the community and respond to the location specified in the court order.
• Request collateral information as needed and seek consultation from supervisor or colleagues on difficult cases.

Testify in Court as Expert Witness

• Develop and deliver to courts, via expert testimony, professional opinion regarding competency, restoration, and in some instances sanity and mental condition.
• Explain the basis for opinions, remain neutral, and provide testimony regarding the opinions to legal questions in the court order.
• Testify regarding instruments used during evaluation and collateral sources requested and utilized in addition to interviews to inform the opinion.

Mandatory Training and Case Presentation

• Attend annual and ongoing competency training to statutorily and Forensic Services mandated training sessions to stay informed of current trends and research in forensic psychology.
• Present and provide feedback to peers during case presentations for continued growth and development and may be asked to submit evaluations for quality assurance or peer review.

Other duties as assigned

• May perform tasks or undertake special assignments or projects deemed necessary by OCFMH, but not specifically referenced above.

Minimum Qualifications

Education/Licensure/Certification/

Experience:

Current, valid licensure as a Psychologist from the Colorado State Board of Psychologist Examiners

One (1) year of experience as a licensed psychologist or permitted psychologist candidate

No Substitutions

Special Qualifications

• Must be a Licensed Psychologist

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in forensic evaluations
• Experience in conducting and writing evaluations of competency to proceed
• Ability to work independently with little or no direction
• Clear and effective written and oral communication skills
• Ability to use independent judgment to meet deadlines

Conditions of Employment

• Background checks and credential verification as required (CBI name check, fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, reference check, professional license verification, PREA, Trails check, CAPS)
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. Driver's License
• May require extensive travel between offices and facilities
• Pre-Employment Physical and TB Test
• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Former state employees with prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination must disclose information and may be disqualified if not disclosed.

Appeal Rights

If you are eliminated from consideration, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director. Appeals must be submitted on the official appeal form within ten (10) calendar days from notice. For details, contact the State Personnel Board.

For more information about the appeals process and how…