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Assistant Forensic Psychologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Forensic Evaluator State Role Title: Psych III/Psychology Assoc III Hiring Range: $123,326.00 ... Ability to assist with program development projects including measuring efficacy of new programming.

The Forensic Neuropathologist conducts crucial components of medicolegal death investigations ... Assistant Medical Examiners both at the time of autopsy examination and in subsequent more ...

The Forensic Neuropathologist conducts crucial components of medicolegal death investigations ... Assistant Medical Examiners both at the time of autopsy examination and in subsequent more ...

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Assistant Forensic Psychologist information

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How much do assistant forensic psychologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant forensic psychologist in the United States is $87,877.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $111,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is it hard to get hired as an assistant forensic psychologist?

Getting hired as an assistant forensic psychologist can be competitive, as it often requires relevant education such as a psychology degree, research experience, and sometimes certification or licensure. Strong analytical skills, knowledge of forensic settings, and internships or related experience can improve chances of employment in this specialized field.

What does an assistant forensic psychologist do?

An Assistant Forensic Psychologist supports qualified forensic psychologists in assessing and treating individuals involved in the criminal justice system, such as offenders or victims. Their duties often include conducting psychological assessments, preparing reports, supporting therapeutic interventions, and assisting with research. They may work in settings like prisons, secure hospitals, or courts, and help inform decisions about risk, rehabilitation, and sentencing.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant forensic psychologist?

To thrive as an Assistant Forensic Psychologist, you need a relevant psychology degree (often accredited by the BPS), strong understanding of psychological assessment, and foundational knowledge of criminal justice systems. Familiarity with risk assessment tools, psychological testing instruments, and secure electronic record-keeping systems is typically required. Excellent communication, critical thinking, and resilience are vital soft skills for liaising with diverse clients and multidisciplinary teams. These abilities ensure accurate assessments, effective interventions, and ethical practice within demanding forensic environments.

What are some typical challenges faced by assistant forensic psychologists when working within multidisciplinary teams?

Assistant Forensic Psychologists often collaborate with professionals from diverse backgrounds, such as law enforcement officers, social workers, and legal staff. A common challenge is ensuring effective communication and understanding between disciplines, as each team member may have different priorities and methods. Additionally, balancing the ethical considerations of psychological practice with legal requirements can be complex. Developing strong interpersonal skills and a clear understanding of each role's responsibilities are crucial for successful teamwork in forensic settings.

What does an assistant forensic psychologist do?

As an assistant forensic psychologist, you work alongside senior, licensed psychologists to assist in completing tasks like research, clinical interviews, facilitating inmate groups, and completing paperwork and reports. The responsibilities involved in your cases depend on the facility or institution in which you work, which could be a jail or prison, court system, state board of health, mental health center, or university. Some of your primary duties are to perform court-ordered forensic evaluations, investigate processes, write court reports, provide testimony to the court, and provide consulting services to court officers, law enforcement officers, attorneys, and health care providers.

What cities are hiring for Assistant Forensic Psychologist jobs? Cities with the most Assistant Forensic Psychologist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Forensic Psychologist jobs? The most popular types of Forensic Psychologist jobs are:
What states have the most Assistant Forensic Psychologist jobs? States with the most job openings for Assistant Forensic Psychologist jobs include:
Infographic showing various Assistant Forensic Psychologist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,877 per year, or $42.2 per hour.

Psychologist III - Forensic Psychologist

Virginia Department of Human Resource Management

Danville, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 22 days ago


Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority rating

5.2

Company rating: 5.2 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

817th of 841 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Psychologist III - Forensic Psychologist
Job no: 5107625
Work type: Full-Time (Salaried)
Location: Danville, Virginia
Categories: Health and Human Services
Title: Psychologist III - Forensic Psychologist
State Role Title: 49213
Hiring Range:
Pay Band: 6
Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop
Location: Southern Va Mental Health Inst
Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/svmhi/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
Come Join our Psychology team that makes a difference!
$8,000 sign-on bonus for candidates that are new to state service and remain employed with the facility for one year.
Exceptional State Benefits Include:
13 paid holidays, 12+ paid vacation days, 8 paid sick days and 4+ paid family personal days per year; Family Medical Leave, Short- and Long-term disability coverage; Low-cost, comprehensive Anthem or AETNA health insurance benefits; Group life and optional life insurance, and Flexible Reimbursement accounts.
Other state benefits include:
• Referral Bonuses
• Virginia 529 College Savings Plan may be available for this role
• State Employee Discounts and More!
Are you looking to be part of a dynamic team of engaged and dedicated professionals while putting your forensic assessment and clinical skills to work? Are you looking to increase your exposure to forensic psychology cases with opportunities for assessment, diagnosis, and legal experience? As a forensic psychologist working for Virginia's Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), you will have access to psychological referral questions across a wide range of legal codes, diagnoses, and patient presentations. You will also have access to educational resources to include didactic training, webinars, and expert consultation.
Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute is seeking a forensic psychologist to assist patients in their recovery and answer mental health questions for the courts and jails. We are a 72-bed state psychiatric hospital located in Danville, VA with most of our patient population being forensic. The forensic psychologist works with individuals acquitted not guilty by reason of insanity, as well as defendants ordered for competency restoration, and inmates ordered for pre- and post-trail treatment. The forensic psychologist also answers referral questions and provides treatment update reports to jails, attorneys, and courts.
Minimum Qualifications
Doctoral degree in psychology (e.g. Ph.D., Psy.D.) from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or an equivalent accrediting body recognized by the Virginia licensing board, as required for licensure eligibility.
Completion of a predoctoral internship accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or an equivalent accrediting body, as required for licensure eligibility as outlined in Code of Virginia Regulation 18VAC125-20-54E.
Experience as a doctoral degree psychologist in working with forensically involved individuals with mental illness.
Must currently hold or be able to obtain license through the Virginia Department of Health Professions as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist within 12 months of hire and maintain such licensure throughout employment in this role.
Must currently hold or be able to complete the DBHDS forensic certification through the Institute of Law Psychiatry and Public Policy (ILPPP) within 12 months of hire.
This position will also require:
Comprehensive knowledge of psychological principles, practices, and ethical standards as evidenced by rigorous, accredited training programs.
Strong skills in diagnostic evaluation, treatment planning, and psychotherapy, typically acquired through APA-accredited doctoral programs and internships.
Proficiency in the administration and scoring of basic psychological testing instruments.
Proficiency in assessing and treating individuals with a variety of clinical presentations.
Familiarity with psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery model.
Strong oral and written communications skills.
Ability to analyze behavior patterns and develop behavioral assistance plans.
Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary treatment team.
Strong crisis management skills.
Ability to present/testify well in court.
Previous basic computer skills (word processing, computerized test scoring, etc.).
This position requires adherence to the highest standards of professional practice, as demonstrated by training in programs meeting national accreditation standards for psychology.
Additional Considerations
Forensic certification by Virginia's Institute of Law, Psychiatry, and Public Policy. Board certification in forensic psychology.
Veterans and people with National Service.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Applicants must list all relevant experience that you wish to be considered for this position. Applicants will be provided confirmation of receipt when your application and/or resume is submitted. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
A successful fingerprint-based criminal history check, drug screen, and reference checks are required for the selected candidate for this position. Under Virginia Code §37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is prohibited from employing or using as volunteers, persons who have been convicted of specific "barrier" crimes or persons who may be the subject of pending "barrier" charges.
Employees may be required to disclose immunization status for purposes of infection prevention and/or management of outbreaks. Upon acceptance of a job offer, new recruits will be asked to disclose their vaccination status (and for those fully vaccinated, proof of vaccination) during the pre-employment process. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Human Resources.
Commonwealth's Alternate Hiring Process: In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS, to get their Certificate of Disability. To obtain a Certificate of Disability go to: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 800-552-5019. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview process per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact Human Resources at (434) 773-4208 for assistance.
DBHDS is an equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities are open to all regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability. Minorities, Individuals with Disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TTY.
SVMHI uses Form I-9 and E-Verify in the verification of eligibility for employment.
SVMHI is a smoke and vape-free facility in all buildings and outside facility grounds.
Contact Information
Name: Human Resources
Phone: 434-421-3060
Email: svmhihr@dbhds.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
Advertised: 14 Jul 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 05 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
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