Forensic Psychologist Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney - 5.0 Louisville, KY Job Details Full-time Up to $127,800 a year 23 hours ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Flexible spending account Vision insurance Life insurance Retirement plan Qualifications Teamwork Client assessment in therapy Behavioral psychological assessments Program development Professional ethics Client rapport building Care documentation Individual psychological assessments Clinical Psychology Psychology Clinical assessment documentation Organizational skills Doctoral degree in psychology Licensed Psychologist Credentials Full Job Description The Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney is seeking a Forensic Psychologist to serve as an in-house behavioral health and forensic psychology professional embedded within the prosecutor's office. The position will provide direct psychological support to victims and their families, consultation and education to prosecutors and victim advocates, and behavioral health expertise to strengthen the office's ability to respond to the complex psychological needs associated with serious and traumatic criminal cases. This is a unique opportunity for a licensed psychologist to apply clinical and forensic expertise at the intersection of psychology, trauma, victim advocacy, prosecution, and the criminal justice system . The ideal candidate will bring strong clinical and forensic experience, specialized expertise in trauma, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to ethical, fair, trauma-informed, and victim-centered approaches to the administration of justice. The Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney is committed to promoting public safety through the ethical, fair, and just prosecution of criminal offenses; advocating for victims of crime; and promoting public confidence in the criminal justice system by treating all persons with fairness, dignity, and respect. Essential Responsibilities Prosecutor and Staff Wellness Provide consultation and support related to occupational stress, burnout, secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma. Develop and implement strategies to promote psychological wellness, resilience, and sustainable professional performance among prosecutors and office personnel. Provide individual or group-based educational and supportive programming related to stress management, psychological health, and the unique behavioral health demands of criminal prosecution. Help cultivate a workplace culture that recognizes and appropriately addresses the psychological impact of exposure to trauma and serious criminal cases. Victim and Family Psychological Support Provide psychological consultation and support to victims of crime and their families throughout the criminal justice process. Assess and respond to the emotional and psychological needs of victims and families experiencing distress, grief, anxiety, trauma, and other reactions associated with victimization and participation in legal proceedings. Provide appropriate referrals and connections to community-based behavioral health and supportive services. Support victims and families in navigating the psychological and emotional challenges associated with complex or prolonged criminal proceedings. Provide post-trial debriefing and support to assist victims and families in processing emotional responses following the conclusion of criminal proceedings. When appropriate and within the scope of the position, provide or facilitate longer-term therapeutic services addressing grief, trauma, and unresolved psychological distress. Trial and Courtroom Support Prepare victims and witnesses for the emotional and psychological aspects of participating in criminal proceedings and testifying in court. Provide evidence-informed coping strategies for managing anxiety and stress , and other psychological responses associated with courtroom testimony. Consult with prosecutors and victim advocates regarding trauma-related responses and behavioral or psychological considerations that may affect participation in the judicial process. Help prosecutors and victim advocates understand how trauma, grief, fear, and other psychological factors may influence behavior, communication, memory, decision-making, and engagement with the justice system. Forensic Psychology Consultation and Education Provide prosecutors with training and consultation regarding human behavior, psychological processes, decision-making, trauma, and other behavioral health factors relevant to criminal cases. Develop and deliver educational programming on topics related to forensic psychology, trauma, victim behavior, memory, communication, behavioral responses to victimization, and psychological factors relevant to criminal justice. Train prosecutors and victim advocates in trauma-informed practices to strengthen their ability to work effectively and compassionately with victims and their families. Provide consultation regarding psychological and behavioral issues that arise in individual cases, consistent with applicable ethical standards and the appropriate scope of the psychologist's role. Promote the responsible integration of psychological science into prosecutorial practice and decision-making. Community Collaboration and Systems Development Coordinate and facilitate programs, initiatives, meetings, and partnerships with local and state behavioral health, victim service, criminal justice, and community organizations. Develop relationships with community partners to strengthen referral networks and improve continuity of care for victims and families. Identify opportunities to improve the integration of behavioral health and trauma-informed practices within the criminal justice system. Contribute to innovative initiatives designed to improve victim experiences, promote healing, and strengthen public confidence in the justice system. Administration and Program Evaluation Maintain appropriate documentation consistent with professional standards, ethical requirements, and office policies. Provide quarterly reports to the Administration regarding program activities, accomplishments, emerging needs, and areas for improvement. Assist in identifying outcomes and measures to evaluate the effectiveness of psychological services and initiatives. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned. The responsibilities described above are not exhaustive and may be modified as organizational needs evolve. Minimum Qualifications Doctoral degree in Psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.
D.) from an accredited institution. Current license to practice psychology in the applicable jurisdiction. Professional experience working in forensic, legal, criminal justice, or related settings . Demonstrated specialized experience and expertise in trauma and trauma-informed clinical practice . Strong clinical assessment, documentation, consultation, and professional communication skills. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with attorneys, victim advocates, behavioral health professionals, community partners, and other criminal justice professionals. Knowledge of professional ethics and the appropriate application of psychological services within legal and forensic environments. Preferred Qualifications Experience working directly with victims of violent crime and/or families impacted by traumatic loss. Experience providing psychological services within a criminal justice, court, corrections, prosecutorial, or other legal setting. Training or experience in forensic psychology, trauma psychology, victim services, or therapeutic jurisprudence . Experience providing consultation or training to attorneys, law enforcement, judges, victim advocates, or other justice-system professionals. Experience addressing secondary traumatic stress, vicarious trauma, burnout, or occupational stress among criminal justice professionals. Strong understanding of the psychological impact of trauma on behavior, memory, communication, decision-making, and participation in legal proceedings. Experience developing interdisciplinary programs and partnerships. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities The successful candidate will demonstrate: Advanced knowledge of psychological assessment and evidence-informed trauma treatment. Strong understanding of forensic and criminal justice systems. Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate complex psychological concepts clearly to attorneys and non-clinical professionals. Sound professional judgment and strong ethical decision-making. Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality within a multidisciplinary legal environment. Ability to work effectively with individuals experiencing significant trauma, grief, distress, and crisis. Ability to establish trust and rapport while maintaining appropriate clinical and professional boundaries. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Commitment to fairness, dignity, respect, victim-centered practice, and the ethical administration of justice. Why This Position? This position offers a rare opportunity for a psychologist to move beyond traditional clinical practice and bring psychological science directly into the justice system . The Forensic Psychologist will serve as a bridge between psychology and prosecution—helping victims and families navigate the emotional demands of the legal process, equipping prosecutors with a deeper understanding of trauma and human behavior, supporting the psychological wellbeing of justice professionals, and helping develop a more informed, humane, and effective criminal justice system. This role is particularly well suited for a psychologist who is interested in forensic psychology, trauma, victim advocacy, therapeutic jurisprudence, organizational wellness, and systems-level criminal justice reform and who wants to have a meaningful impact on both individual lives and the broader justice system. Equal Opportunity The Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a workplace in which all individuals are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect. Employment decisions are made without unlawful discrimination and in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Employees of the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney shall reside in the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a condition of employment. Any non-resident shall be required to make a good faith effort to move into the Commonwealth of Kentucky within sixty (60) days of date of hire.
Job Type:
Full-time Pay:
Up to $127,800.00 per year
Benefits:
Dental insurance Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Retirement plan Vision insurance