FCS - Staff Psychologist

FORENSIC CLINICAL SERVICES
CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:              STAFF PSYCHOLOGIST
GRADE:                    22
UNION:                     TEAMSTERS LOCAL 743
SALARY:                  TEAMSTERS LOCAL 743 PAY SCHEDULE, STEP 1
                                    CURRENTLY $106, 996
LOCATION:             2650 SOUTH CALIFORNIA AVENUE
                                    CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
STATUS:                   FULL TIME, HYBRID

JOB SUMMARY AND DUTIES
Forensic Clinical Services is a clinical department operating under the Office of the Chief Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County. Established in 1914, the department has the distinction of being the nation’s first adult psychiatric court clinic. The Circuit Court of Cook County is the largest judicial circuit in the State of Illinois and one of the largest unified court systems in the world.
Staff psychologists are administratively and clinically responsible to the Supervisor of the Psychology Division. Staff Psychologists perform diagnostic forensic examinations of adult criminal cases ordered by the Court and submit formal written reports and provide expert witness in-court testimony. The examinations often involve the administration of psychological testing instruments and procedures.

Essential duties include, but are not limited to:

• Performance of court-ordered psychological examination on adult criminal defendants.
• Administration of comprehensive psychological testing instruments in their examinations, as well as on referral from the Court or the Division of Psychiatry.
• Preparation and delivery for the court of formal written reports and clinical summaries relevant to diagnoses, opinions, and recommendations. Forensic psychological examinations may be sought for:
  • Fitness to Stand Trial.
  • Sanity at the time of the alleged offense.
  • Ability to understand Miranda
  • Fitness for sentencing.
  • Emotional/personality, cognitive, intellectual functioning.
  • Treatment and placement recommendations.
• Provision of direct in-court expert witness testimony.
• Consultation with court staff and agencies of the Court as indicated or requested.
• Conferences with other Forensic Clinical Services professional staff to coordinate clinical activities and responsibilities.
• Participation in the department’s and the court’s training programs and initiatives as assigned.
• Representation of the Division of Psychology and/or Department of Forensic Clinical Services on committees, task-forces, etc. as assigned.
• Such other duties as may be assigned.

The duties listed are not set forth for the purpose of limiting the assignments or work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Ph.D./Psy.D. in psychology

• Licensed or license eligible as a Clinical Psychologist in Illinois
• Formal forensic training and/or postdoctoral fellowship in forensic psychology is strongly preferred
• Excellent assessment skills, strong writing proficiency, and solid clinical training.

• Excellent oral communication skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Ability to travel to other court locations as needed
• Ability to work and get along with others and perform as part of a team
• Ability to multitask and perform under pressure

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time in front of a computer screen.
• Intermittently twist to reach equipment or supplies surrounding desk.
• Perform simple grasping and fine manipulation.
• Lift files and other materials weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Use a telephone, dictation equipment, and computer keyboard and screen on a daily basis.

This position requires a pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check. All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all required screening criteria.
Applicants are advised that as a Drug Free Workplace, use of medical or recreational marijuana is prohibited and will disqualify a candidate from employment.

Information concerning the benefits for this position can be found at the Circuit Court of Cook County Employment Opportunities Page .

THE CIRCIUT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS,
 IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of the Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County to provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants for employment. No person is to be discriminated against in employment because of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.

Revised: July, 2025