Forensic Social Worker Internships Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $55,316.00 - $80,646.00 Annually
Location : Westmoreland County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2026-57626-40061
Department: Department of Human Services
Division: HS Torrance St Hosp
Opening Date: 09/03/2026
Closing Date: 9/17/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 40061
Position Number: 00228276
Union: SEIU Local 668
Bargaining Unit: F4
Pay Group: ST06
Bureau / Division Code: 00210973
Bureau / Division: Torrance State Hospital
Worksite Address: 121 Longview Drive
City: Torrance, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 15779
Contact Name: Sandra Schleicher
Contact Email: saschleich@pa.gov
THE POSITION
Are you inspired to support healing and growth as a Forensic Social Worker 1 for the Department of Human Services? This role allows you to guide patients through important steps in their treatment and recovery at Torrance State Hospital. You will help individuals strengthen their social and emotional skills. Your efforts will contribute to safer communities and more positive outcomes for those in need.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This role focuses on delivering social services, counseling, and case management to forensic patients receiving care through the criminal justice system. As a Forensic Social Worker 1, you will perform the following duties:

• Patient Interviews: Gather information about patients to assess social service needs and treatment goals
• Therapeutic Support: Provide education, individual counseling, and group therapy to help patients understand and address challenges
• Team Collaboration: Participate in treatment team meetings and support the creation of individualized care plans
• Progress Documentation: Record patient progress toward social service goals and communicate updates to families and involved parties
• Discharge Planning: Write detailed plans for patient transitions and follow-up services as appropriate
• Commitment Management: Maintain records of court commitments, complete petitions, and attend hearings when needed

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• A bachelor's or master's degree in social work or social welfare.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination and a drug screening.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Older Adult Protective Services Act.
  • Under the Act, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports, including but not limited to, PA State Police and FBI clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

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Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box.
*Eligibility rules apply.
01
Do you possess a conferred Bachelor's degree or higher in Social Work or Social Welfare, or are you within 3 months of completing a Bachelor's degree or higher?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.
You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.

• Yes
• No

02
If you do not have a conferred bachelor's degree or higher, on what date do you expect to receive your degree? Type N/A in the text box if this does not apply.
03
You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your educational background to the position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.
Read each category carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of education. List the training source(s) from your education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. Please note you must have received a passing grade in the course to earn credit for it on this supplement. The "Level of Performance" you choose for each work behavior must be clearly supported within the description of the education information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. You may NOT claim the same course under more than one area of study. You also may be asked to provide a syllabus for any course in question.
In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.
If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.
If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our

• Yes

04
WORK BEHAVIOR 1: COLLEGE COURSEWORK - GERONTOLOGY
Defined as the study of the aging process, older adults, and the issues important to them. Emphasis is given to understanding client and family strengths; diversity among the aged population; the social, cultural, community, and policy contexts of aging in order to understand the aging process and gain skills to practice with and/or on behalf of the elderly and their family members. To qualify under this category, gerontology must have been an integral part of the course. Coursework includes but is not limited to: Aging Populations; Bereavement and Grieving; Social Work and Aging; Introduction to Gerontology; Social Dynamics of Aging; and Psychology of Adulthood and Aging.

• A. I have successfully completed 9 or more college credits related to gerontology.
• B. I have successfully completed 6 to 8 college credits related to gerontology.
• C. I have successfully completed 3 to 5 college credits related to gerontology.
• D. I have NOT completed college credits related to gerontology.

05
EDUCATION DETAILS
Please list details regarding the coursework you are claiming in the table below. Please note you must have received a passing grade in the course to earn credit for it on this supplement. You may not claim the same course under more than one area of study. If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acce