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Forensic Social Worker Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

Will maintain professional, licensure qualifications and stay abreast of forensic research, best ... Master Social Worker in New York State. Transfer: Candidates must have one year of permanent ...

Child Abuse Pediatrician

Rochester, NY · On-site

$167K - $217K/yr

... forensic interviewers, law enforcement investigators, family advocates, counselors, and attorneys ... The candidate will work closely with teams of advanced practice providers, nurses, social workers ...

Forensic Social Worker information

See Rochester, NY salary details

$36K

$77.8K

$125.8K

How much do forensic social worker jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensic social worker in Rochester, NY is $77,838.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,200.00 and $92,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a forensic social worker?

Forensic social workers are professionals who apply social work principles to issues related to the law and legal systems. They often work with individuals involved in the criminal or civil justice systems, such as victims, offenders, and families. Their responsibilities can include assessments, providing expert testimony in court, creating treatment plans, and advocating for clients’ rights. Forensic social workers play a crucial role in bridging the gap between social services and legal processes, ensuring that the social and psychological needs of those involved in legal matters are considered.

What does a forensic social worker do?

As a forensic social worker, your responsibilities are to gather information about criminal defendants. You may work on behalf of law enforcement, a court system, defense attorneys, or a state agency, such as child services, to make an assessment of the defendant’s mental status and develop a sentencing plan or alternative form of incarceration for the defendant. Your duties are to interview defendants, diagnose behavioral and mental health issues related to criminal behavior, and make policy recommendations to state agencies and judges. You may also act as an expert witness in a trial.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a forensic social worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Forensic Social Worker, you need a solid background in social work, criminal justice knowledge, and a master's degree in social work (MSW), often with state licensure. Familiarity with case management software, court documentation systems, and risk assessment tools is typically required. Exceptional communication, critical thinking, and cultural competency are vital soft skills for building trust with clients and collaborating with legal professionals. These abilities are crucial for effectively advocating for clients, navigating complex legal systems, and ensuring ethical, evidence-based interventions.

How do forensic social workers typically collaborate with legal professionals and other agencies in their daily work?

Forensic social workers often serve as a crucial bridge between the legal system and social services. They work closely with attorneys, judges, correctional staff, and community organizations to assess clients, provide expert testimony, and develop intervention plans. Daily responsibilities may include conducting psychosocial evaluations, preparing court reports, and advocating for client needs within legal proceedings. Collaboration and clear communication are essential, as forensic social workers must balance legal requirements with ethical social work practices to support both clients and the justice system effectively.

Who hires forensic social workers?

Forensic social workers are typically hired by criminal justice agencies, courts, law enforcement organizations, mental health facilities, and correctional institutions. They may also work for government agencies, private law firms, or non-profit organizations involved in legal and forensic cases, often requiring knowledge of legal procedures and assessment tools.

What are the most commonly searched types of Forensic Social Worker jobs in Rochester, NY?

The most popular types of Forensic Social Worker jobs in Rochester, NY are:

What are popular job titles related to Forensic Social Worker jobs in Rochester, NY?

For Forensic Social Worker jobs in Rochester, NY, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Forensic Social Worker jobs in Rochester, NY look for?

The top searched job categories for Forensic Social Worker jobs in Rochester, NY are:

What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Forensic Social Worker jobs?

Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Forensic Social Worker job openings:

Infographic showing various Forensic Social Worker job openings in Rochester, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, and 14% Part Time. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $77,838 per year, or $37.4 per hour.

Licensed Master Social Worker

New York State

Rochester, NY • On-site

$74K - $94K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


New York State rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 188 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

25th of 50 rated states


Job description

Duties Description 1. Provides individual, group, and/or family therapy focusing on areas common to those with intellectual or developmental disabilities (ID/DD) and forensic backgrounds. 2.

Serves as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team; participates in team meetings, presents clinical information and observations, and provides consultation, training, and assistance to staff in other disciplines; and coordinates care and treatment planning for individuals. 3. Evaluate symptoms and behavioral presentation and/or dysfunction as it relates to a diagnosis and draw relevant conclusions to inform treatment planning for individuals under the supervision of a Licensed Psycholoigst or Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

4. Help individuals identify various treatment goals related to legal statuses as well as mental, emotional, behavioral, and environmental conditions and uses therapy to address illnesses and disorders, including mental illnesses and emotional disturbances, adjustment problems related to acute and chronic illnesses, behavioral, community problems, and social issues. 5.

Professionally and ethically completes treatment planning and documentation requirements in a timely manner. 6. May provide court testimony for forensic matters when required.

7. Work together with the court, psychiatry providers, families, and treatment teams to ensure a continuum of care as well as providing a strong support system for the patient and the highest quality of care for individuals. 8.

Collect, review, analyze, and present data/metrics tied to clinical and/or performance measures and utilize data to improve access, quality, or treatment outcomes for special populations. 9. Occasional travel for training and screening purposes may be required.

10. Participation in special projects, workgroups, or committees as assigned. 11.

Will maintain professional, licensure qualifications and stay abreast of forensic research, best practices with the ID/DD population involved in the legal system, and continuing education requirements. Day & Evening rotation (2 shifts on evenings/3 shifts days with one weekend day) Day shift: 8:00am-4:30pm or 8:30am-5:00pm Evening shift: 10:30am-7:00pm or 11:00am-7:30pm Position 1: Sunday-Thursday (pass days Fri/Sat) Position 2: Tuesday-Saturday (pass days Sun/Mon) (To be determined at time of offer) https://www.linkedin.com/company/nys-office-for-people-with-developmental-disabilities/posts/?feedView=all #LI-PS1 Minimum Qualifications Open Competitive: license and current registration as a Licensed Master Social Worker in New York State. Transfer: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55-b/c status in the posted title and be eligible for lateral transfer; OR be eligible to transfer via Section 70.1, 70.4, or 52.6 of Civil Service Law

The transfer cannot be a second consecutive transfer resulting in an advancement of more than two salary grades. To determine if your current Civil Service title is eligible for transfer to this title, visit the Career Mobility GOT-IT website: https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/index.cfm. Additional Comments This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS)

HELPS Program titles may be filled via a non-competitive appointment. This means that you do not need to take an exam to qualify, but you do need to meet the minimum qualifications of the title. At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), employees hired under NY HELPS are expected to have their permanent non-competitive employment status converted to permanent competitive status.

You will not have to take an exam to gain permanent competitive status. If you are currently a New York State employee serving in a permanent competitive qualifying title and eligible for a transfer via Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law, you may be appointed to this title as a permanent competitive employee. The assignment of PS&T employees will be made in accordance with any agreed upon Memorandum of Understanding between PEF and the local DDSO regarding the posting of job vacancies

Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume. All OPWDD employees must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Continued employment will depend on maintaining eligibility. If you are employed by state government you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer.

For more information on PSLF, please visit www.studentAid.gov/publicservice. Employees on long term leave can bid on positions but must be able to report to work within fourteen (14) days and be able to perform the essential functions of their positions with or without reasonable accommodation (RA). If an employee or job applicant believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Reasonable Accommodation Unit at (518) 486-7222 or email accommodationrequests@opwdd.ny.gov to obtain information and RA forms

Savings programs such as the U.S. Savings Bond and the College Savings Plan. Voluntary pre-tax savings programs such as Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account offer employees options to pay for uncovered health care expenses or dependent care expenses

Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) an assessment and referral service that connects employees with local service providers and support services to address their personal needs. Life insurance and Disability insurance. The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement plan that offers employees the option to invest a part of their salaries for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.

Paid Holidays and Leave: Thirteen (13) paid holidays each year. Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave initially. Five (5) days paid personal leave each year.

Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave each year (PEF/CSEA), which may carry over from year to year. Up to three (3) days professional leave each year to participate in professional development events. Health Care Coverage: Employees and their eligible dependents can choose from a variety of affordable health insurance programs.

Employees are provided family dental and vision plans at no extra cost. Paid Parental Leave: Paid Parental Leave allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave at full pay for each qualifying event. A qualifying event is defined as the birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption or foster care.

Retirement Program: Participate in The NYS Employees' Retirement System (ERS), which is recognized as one of the best-managed and best-funded public retirement systems in the nation. Professional Development and Education and Training: NYS offers training programs and tuition assistance to eligible employees to maintain and increase their professional skills and prepare them for promotional opportunities. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/training-and-professional-development

Additionally, the Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) offers certain professional training opportunities for PEF represented and M/C designated employees that may grant continuing education credits towards maintaining professional licensure. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/public-service-workshops-program-pswp. OPWDD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to creating and sustaining a culture of inclusion

We believe that we are most effective in managing and improving our service system with a diverse team of employees. With such a large workforce, we rely on the collective individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, ideas and talent that our employees bring to their work. This speaks to our culture and is a key part of our successes.

As we continuously recruit people for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that applicants bring in terms of their education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran's status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs. ***All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.*** Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.


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