Chief of Forensic Psychology

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Functional Title: Chief of Forensic Psychology 
Job Title: Psychologist IV 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: HSCS Forensic Coordination 
Posting Number: 23332 
Closing Date: 11/27/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 
Salary Range: $8,488.33 - $14,356.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-29 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 20% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:
Job Location City: RUSK 
Job Location Address: 805 N DICKINSON DR 
Other Locations:
MOS Codes: 230X,42PX,71F,73B 

Brief Job Description:

Reporting to the Associate Commissioner for the Office of Forensic Services and Coordination, the Chief of Forensic Psychology will provide leadership in the development, implementation, coordination, and oversight of forensic psychology services across Health and Specialty Care System (HSCS) facilities; develop and oversee high-priority strategic initiatives to improve forensic psychological services; supervise a team of forensic psychologists; and provide expert guidance to executive leadership on adults found incompetent to stand trial, juveniles deemed unfit to proceed, and people found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI). The Chief is expected to work collaboratively with leadership and staff across OFSC, HSCS, and the Health and Human Services Commission. The position will work under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

The work of the Chief of Forensic Psychology supports the statutorily-mandated duties of the Forensic Director (SB 1507, 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015) are met. These duties include: statewide coordination and oversight of forensic services; coordination of forensic programs operated by HHSC; and addressing issues with the delivery of forensic services in Texas including significant increases in populations with serious mental illness and criminal justice system involvement.

The successful candidate will be an expert in forensic psychology and a motivated self-starter with a collaborative and team-based mindset. Strong written and oral communication skills as well as the ability to manage multiple projects and assignments are required for the position. Must thrive in a fast-paced and demanding environment and be able to work across teams, departments, and divisions.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Strategic Initiatives: Designs and implements strategic initiatives that improve the quality and provision of forensic services. Conducts comprehensive needs assessments to identify gaps, inefficiencies and areas of improvement. Plans, designs, and implements strategic interventions and process improvement initiatives based on identified gaps, inefficiencies and improvements. Establishes performance metrics to monitor effectiveness of activities and ensures initiatives achieve desired results. Uses data to drive decision-making to adjust initiatives as needed. Promotes cross-system collaboration to share best practices and implementation strategies to ensure consistency in initiatives. Ensures initiatives align with forensic strategic planning and continuous improvement efforts. (30%)

Forensic Assessments and Expert Consultation: Conducts forensic assessments, including trial competency evaluations, fitness to proceed evaluations, and violence risk assessments. Provides expert psychological consultation on difficult forensic-related cases referred to the SSLCs and SHs. Participates in and/or delegates responsibility for consultations and identifies additional staffing. (30%)

Forensic Psychology: Provides leadership in forensic psychology across HSCS facilities. Develops and implements initiatives and trainings to enhance the effectiveness of forensic psychological services. Evaluates the effectiveness of initiatives and trainings using performance indicators, staff feedback, and quality assurance techniques. (20%)

Oversight and Coordination: In collaboration with OFSC executive leadership, directs, plans, and evaluates the delivery of competency restoration, fitness to proceed, and NGRI services across State Supported Living Centers (SSLC) and Texas State Hospitals (SH). Establishes performance indicators and oversees continuous quality improvement. Provides leadership in the development, implementation, of forensic mental health policies, procedures, guidelines, and training. (10%)

Management and Administration: Manages the day-to-day activities of staff and supervises the work of others. Oversees and coordinates the daily work of forensic psychologists to ensure efficient workflow and consistent performance aligned with office and agency goals. Assigns tasks and responsibilities and monitors employee performance and deadlines. Provides administrative and clinical supervision of staff and provides regular feedback to ensure high performance. Facilitates team meetings, communicates priorities and guidance from executive leadership, and serves as the area’s point of contact and subject matter expert for executive leadership. (10%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Competence to stand trial, including service delivery in inpatient, outpatient, and jail-based competency restoration programs
• Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity, including service delivery in inpatient and outpatient programs
• Inpatient mental health services as provided in contracted private psychiatric beds, state hospitals, and state supported living centers
• Clinical treatment/psychotherapy modalities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and serious mental illness
• Texas laws pertaining to forensic commitments and procedures
• Forensic psychological assessments and evaluations, to include skills in diagnosis, interviewing, documentation, and report writing
• Administering the delivery of psychological service to persons with intellectual disabilities
• Etiology and characteristics of developmental disabilities
• Administration of standardized evaluations including assessments of intelligence and adaptive behavior
• Applied behavior analysis and behavior support plan development, implementation, and evaluation
• Knowledge of foresnic psychological assessments, forensic programming, and forensic policies.

Skill in:

• Assessment, care, and treatment of individuals on forensic commitments
• Use of psychological instruments to evaluate personality, neurocognition, adaptive functioning, suicide risk, violence risk, criminogenic risk, trial competency, and malingering
• Effectively using an electronic health care record, telehealth equipment, desktop computer, and Microsoft Office software
• Effective stakeholder engagement, including collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to develop solutions to complex issues
• Motivating staff and effectively implementing changes
• Advanced writing in developing technical reports, grants, research proposals, and other relevant documents
• Demonstrated expertise in forensic mental health and the intersection of behavioral health and justice.

Ability to:

• Conduct forensic and psychological assessments in-person and virtually and write clear, concise reports
• Provide expert testimony to courts regarding forensic and psychological assessments
• Provide training and technical assistance to clinical and administrative staff on forensic services
• Communicate assessment data and treatment/discharge implications to treatment teams, courts, community stakeholders, and patients, where appropriate
• Work with minimal supervision and make varied decisions within broad guidelines/parameters
• Demonstrate a high degree of integrity, ability to build trust and communicate effectively
• Strategically partner and collaborate with team members and other key stakeholders
• Be action-oriented with strong self-direction and self-motivation skills with the ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must be licensed as a Psychologist by the State of Texas or a reciprocity state. 

Board Certification in Forensic Psychology is preferred.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduated from an accredited college or university with a doctoral degree in forensic psychology.

At least five years of experience in working in a forensic inpatient or outpatient care setting

At least five years full-time experience in human services. 

Experience in forensic mental health and the intersection of behavioral health and justice.

Experience with forensic psychological assessments, forensic programming, and forensic policies.

Experience in managing projects.

Additional Information:

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.