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 staff psychologist’s primary responsibility is to complete court-ordered forensic mental health evaluations for both Juvenile Court departments, including written reports and testimony.  The staff 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, 5^th Floor, Chicago, IL 60612

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. 

       a)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). 

       b) 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

• 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).

• Performance of other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 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.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Fluency in Spanish, sign-language, or another non-English language.

• Knowledge of ethical and best practice standards for the practice of forensic psychology.

• Knowledge of juvenile court law and procedures.

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. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.