Current Open Positions:

Forensic Social Worker- Justice Project

Postdoctoral Fellow -Psychological Testing & Evaluation

GOLDEN PSYCHOLOGY

Forensic Social Worker — The Justice Project

Full-Time | W-2 Employee | In-Person | Manhattan, NY

Role Overview

The Forensic Social Worker is a full-time, salaried W-2 position embedded within Golden Psychology's Justice Project — a specialized practice area focused on psychological and social evaluation at the intersection of mental health and the criminal legal system. This person works directly alongside the practice owner, a licensed psychologist with extensive forensic expertise, to deliver high-quality evaluations for courts, defense counsel, and justice-involved individuals across New York.

This is not a case management role. The Forensic Social Worker conducts independent clinical interviews, collateral investigations, and social history documentation that form the evidentiary foundation of complex forensic evaluations — including competency to stand trial (CPL 730), extreme emotional disturbance (EED) mitigation, and assessments under the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVSJA). The work requires clinical skill, forensic literacy, and the ability to engage meaningfully with clients in institutional settings — jails, prisons, courts, and community-based supervision.

Writing is central to this role. Forensic social histories are used in court, reviewed by attorneys and judges, and contribute directly to legal outcomes for clients whose futures depend on them. The right person writes with precision, clarity, and discipline — and takes that responsibility seriously.

The right person for this role brings not only clinical and forensic competence, but a deep commitment to justice — a belief that every person who enters the legal system deserves rigorous, humane, and expert evaluation, regardless of the charge.

Core Responsibility Areas

1. Forensic Evaluation Support Conduct in-depth social history interviews with justice-involved clients in custodial and community settings — including jails, prisons, and community supervision Gather and synthesize collateral information: family members, treatment providers, school records, prior case files, and social service histories

Produce clear, precise, court-ready social history reports — documents that must be accurate, well-organized, and legally defensible under scrutiny from attorneys, judges, and opposing experts Collaborate closely with the supervising psychologist to ensure evaluation components are integrated and coherent Support expert testimony preparation by organizing and summarizing collateral materials Navigate institutional logistics independently — facility scheduling, security clearance processes, and documentation submission to courts and attorneys

2. Clinical Interviewing & Assessment

Conduct structured and semi-structured clinical interviews to assess trauma history, mental health symptomatology, developmental history, and social functioning Identify and sensitively document histories of domestic violence, trauma, substance use, psychiatric treatment, and other clinically and legally relevant factors Apply trauma-informed, culturally responsive practice frameworks throughout the evaluation process

Translate complex clinical observations into written documentation that is clear to non-clinical readers — attorneys, judges, and court personnel — without sacrificing clinical accuracy

Exercise sound clinical judgment in challenging interview environments, including with clients who are guarded, distressed, cognitively impaired, or in acute mental health distress

3. Legal & Institutional Coordination

Liaise with defense counsel, 18-B attorneys, Legal Aid Society staff, and court personnel to coordinate evaluation logistics and deadlines Manage documentation workflows: retainer paperwork, authorization forms, court orders, and facility correspondence Track active cases and upcoming deadlines — ensuring nothing is missed due to poor coordination Maintain organized, well-documented case files that support both clinical and legal defensibility Understand the legal frameworks governing forensic evaluations in New York — CPL Article 730, DVSJA eligibility criteria, and the role of EED in sentencing — at a level sufficient to support the supervising psychologist's clinical-legal analysis

Who Will Thrive in This Role

● An exceptional writer: This is not a secondary skill — it is the core deliverable of the role. Social history reports are used in court proceedings, reviewed by judges and attorneys, and contribute directly to legal outcomes. The person who succeeds here writes with precision, discipline, and clarity, and consistently produces reports that require minimal revision. Candidates with writing samples are strongly encouraged to submit them.

● Clinically skilled and forensically curious: Has direct experience with justice-involved populations — in a correctional, legal, hospital, or community setting. Understands that forensic work demands a different discipline than therapeutic work, and welcomes that distinction.

● A thorough and organized investigator: Can gather, organize, and synthesize large volumes of collateral information without losing the thread. Understands what is clinically relevant, what is legally significant, and how to document both with economy and precision.

● Steady in difficult environments: Comfortable conducting clinical interviews in institutional settings — jails, prisons, holding facilities — with clients who may be frightened, hostile, or in crisis. Does not require optimal conditions to do excellent work.

● Trauma-informed and culturally responsive: Approaches clients with genuine respect for the complexity of their histories. Understands the relationship between poverty, trauma, systemic racism, and involvement in the criminal legal system — and brings that understanding to the work without letting it distort clinical objectivity.

● Collaborative and professionally humble: Works closely with a supervising psychologist and understands the scope of the social worker's role in a forensic evaluation. Knows when to ask questions and when to act independently.

● Mission-aligned: Believes that expert, rigorous evaluation is a form of advocacy — and that justice-involved people deserve the same quality of care and attention as any other client population.

Qualifications

Required MSW from an accredited program LMSW or LCSW licensure in New York State (or eligibility within 6 months of hire) Experience working with justice-involved individuals, trauma survivors, or populations with serious mental illness

Demonstrated excellence in professional writing — candidates are strongly encouraged to submit a writing sample (social history, assessment, or comparable document) with their application Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple active cases simultaneously under court-driven deadlines

Preferred Experience conducting forensic social histories, mitigation investigations, or evaluations in legal contexts Familiarity with CPL Article 730, DVSJA, or EED frameworks Experience in correctional settings, Legal Aid, public defense, or forensic mental health Proficiency in Spanish or another language spoken by GP's client population

Compensation

Employment Status Full-time, W-2 salaried employee

Base Salary Commensurate with experience; $75,000-95,000

Benefits Health insurance contribution, PTO

Supervision

Weekly clinical and forensic supervision provided by licensed psychologist

6-Month Review

Formal review tied to report quality, documentation standards, and case coordination performance

A Note on This Role

The Justice Project exists because the people who are most often evaluated in the criminal legal system are also the people who have experienced the most concentrated trauma, disadvantage, and systemic harm.

Golden Psychology brings the same values to forensic work that it brings to every service it offers: clinical excellence, inclusive and affirming practice, and an uncompromising commitment to the people we serve. The Forensic Social Worker is not a peripheral support role — they are a core member of the team whose work directly shapes evaluation quality and outcomes for clients whose lives are on the line.

If you are a clinician who takes that responsibility seriously, writes with care and precision, and wants to grow in a forensic specialty under strong supervision, this role is built for you.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter to hello@golden-psychology.com. A professional writing sample is strongly encouraged — a social history, psychological summary, assessment narrative, or comparable document (redacted as needed to protect client confidentiality) that reflects the quality and style of your written work.

Postdoctoral Fellow – Psychological Testing & Evaluation

Golden Psychology | Union Square, NY

About Golden Psychology

Golden Psychology is a multi-service psychology practice in Union Square offering individual, family, and group therapy, an intensive day program, legal and forensic services, and mental health policy consulting. We are committed to providing comprehensive, culturally responsive care across the lifespan and serve a diverse clinical population across multiple programs.

Position Overview

Golden Psychology is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow with specialized training in biopsychosocial and educational evaluation across the lifespan. This is a clinically rich fellowship offering focused experience in psychological testing alongside meaningful cross-program involvement. The Fellow will contribute to our Justice Project (forensic and legal evaluation services), a newly developing Testing Program, and will provide evaluative support to our Intensive Day Program.

This fellowship is structured to meet New York State Education Department (NYSED) licensure requirements for postdoctoral supervised experience. The Fellow will work a minimum of 40 hours per week (full-time) and accrue 1,750 qualifying hours over the fellowship year, consistent with NYSED Part 72 regulations. The position is well-suited to a postdoctoral fellow who wants to develop as a testing specialist while building clinical breadth across child, adolescent, and adult populations.

Core Responsibilities

Psychological Testing & Evaluation

• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial and educational evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults

• Administer, score, and interpret a broad battery of psychological and psychoeducational instruments (cognitive, achievement, personality, psychopathology, and adaptive functioning)

• Produce high-quality written reports with diagnosis, functional formulation, and actionable recommendations

• Communicate findings to clients, families, and collateral providers

Justice Project

• Conduct psychological evaluations in support of legal proceedings, including competency assessments, mitigation evaluations, and comprehensive mental health evaluations.

• Collaborate with legal teams and contribute to expert process as appropriate

• Gain supervised exposure to forensic evaluation methodology and report writing

Testing Program (New)

• Support the launch and operation of Golden Psychology’s dedicated testing program

• Assist in developing workflows, referral processes, and report templates

• Contribute to building a sustainable, high-quality testing service within the practice

• Provide evaluations for school aged youth and adults

Intensive Day Program

• Conduct intake and ongoing psychological evaluations for day program participants

• Integrate evaluation findings into treatment planning in collaboration with the clinical team

• Provide consultation on diagnostic clarification as needed

Training & Supervision Structure

This fellowship is designed as a planned, programmatic sequence of training consistent with NYSED licensure requirements (Part 72 of the Commissioner's Regulations). Specifically:

• Supervision: The Fellow will receive a minimum of 2 hours of individual supervision per week from a psychologist licensed and registered in New York State, as required by NYSED. At least one hour per week will be face-to-face (or secure video-conferencing) supervision directly pertaining to services rendered.

• Supervisor qualifications: All supervising psychologists are licensed and registered to practice psychology in New York State and are retained by Golden Psychology, in accordance with NYSED Part 72 requirements.

• Training title: The Fellow will hold the title of Psychological Postdoctoral Fellow, consistent with Section 7605 of the NYS Education Law.

• Form 4 completion: The supervising psychologist will complete and submit NYSED Form 4 (Report of Professional Experience) directly to the State Education Department at the conclusion of the fellowship year, attesting to the Fellow's hours and experience.

• Limited Permit: Applicants who have not yet obtained their NYS Limited Permit for Psychology must apply for and obtain the permit prior to the fellowship start date. Golden Psychology will provide the required site and supervisor information for the permit application (Form 5A). Applicants are encouraged to begin this process early, as permit processing times vary.

• Breadth of experience: Training activities will be planned to meet NYSED's standards of quality, breadth, scope, and nature — integrating knowledge and practical application across populations, settings, and evaluation types in preparation for independent practice.

The Fellow will also participate in case consultation, group supervision, and professional development activities as part of a structured training curriculum.

Qualifications

Required

• Doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in clinical or school psychology from an APA-accredited program, conferred prior to the fellowship start date

• Completion of APA-accredited predoctoral internship

• Demonstrated training and experience in psychological and psychoeducational assessment with children and adults

• Eligibility to obtain a New York State Limited Permit for Psychology

• Strong written communication and report-writing skills

• Ability to work across diverse clinical populations and presenting concerns

Preferred

• Experience or coursework in forensic evaluation or legal consultation

• Familiarity with a broad testing battery including cognitive, and objective personality measures

• Experience in intensive outpatient or day treatment settings

• Interest in contributing to program development

Compensation & Benefits

The annual stipend for this fellowship is $63,000 (Year 0), consistent with the FY 2025 NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA postdoctoral pay scale. Fellows with prior relevant postdoctoral experience (including research, teaching, internship, residency, or clinical work beyond the doctoral degree) may be considered at a higher stipend level commensurate with experience. Benefits details provided upon request.

Fellowship Dates

As soon as available, with possibility of renewal. Full-time, minimum 40 hours per week.

To Apply

Please submit the following to hello@golden-psychology.com:

• CV

• Cover letter describing your testing background and clinical interests

• Two writing samples (at least one deidentified psychological evaluation report)

• Two professional references

Golden Psychology is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workforce and clinical practice.