Title: Chief Forensic Coordinator

State Role Title: 49213

Hiring Range: Salary to commensurate with experience.

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Central State Hospital

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/csh/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Central State Hospital (CSH) is a 277 bed Joint Commission accredited psychiatric inpatient facility located in Petersburg, Virginia. CSH has proudly been serving citizens of the Commonwealth since 1870, when we opened our doors as the first psychiatric hospital in the country dedicated to the treatment of African Americans. A new and modern CSH is currently under construction on the same property, with a scheduled completion date of 2027.

CSH maintains the only maximum-security treatment facility in the state (111 beds). We also have 166 beds available for individuals in the community who need inpatient care, as well as individuals in the criminal justice system. We believe that treatment should be holistic and focused on the person’s individual needs, recognizing that recovery is not linear or the same for every person. Treatment modalities may include medication, evidence-based group and individual therapy, peer support, psychosocial rehabilitation, vocational training, preparation for court, and treatment for substance use.

Central State Hospital (CSH) is committed to providing recovery-oriented, person-centered, and trauma-informed care to individuals with complex behavioral health and forensic needs. We strive to maintain a culture of safety, respect, and transparency while supporting staff and patients in achieving positive outcomes.

We are seeking a Chief Forensic Coordinator to provide leadership, oversight, and clinical expertise in the management of forensic admissions, treatment planning, and interagency collaboration. This position plays a key role in ensuring that forensic services are legally compliant, evidence-based, and aligned with CSH’s mission and vision.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Staff Management

- Clearly communicate expectations that align with departmental and hospital goals.
- Provide staff with regular, constructive feedback and coaching, including interim evaluations.
- Ensure staff demonstrate necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies through continuous evaluation and training.
- Complete performance evaluations on time with appropriate documentation.
- Address and document performance, attendance, and punctuality issues in accordance with policy.
- Foster a safe work environment by balancing quality, cost, and safety.
- Model professionalism, integrity, and CSH’s vision for recovery-oriented care.
- Lead with a consultative, respectful management style that builds trust, transparency, and accountability.

Forensic Program Oversight

- Ensure all forensic patients are admitted, evaluated, and treated pursuant to legally sufficient court orders.
- Supervise forensic admissions staff and administrative personnel.
- Serve as a forensic resource for treatment teams, administrators, and regional partners.
- Provide clinical and risk management consultation to treatment teams.
- Monitor forensic patient flow and respond to admission and discharge challenges.
- Consult with court personnel regarding forensic patient management.
- Ensure access to current trends and best practices in forensic mental health.
- Promote trauma-informed, evidence-based, and recovery-focused forensic services.
- Oversee proper documentation, tracking, and compliance with court orders and reporting requirements.

Review & Compliance

- Oversee submissions to the Independent Forensic Privilege Committee (IFPC) and the Forensic Review Panel (FRP), coordinating revisions and tracking outcomes.
- Maintain updated records of all insanity acquittees and forensic patients on civil units.
- Monitor evaluations and admissions to ensure timely placement and legal compliance.
- Compile data on outcomes and system functioning for forensic review processes.

Clinical & Professional Practice

- Maintain clinical competence and complete all required training.
- Exhibit professional demeanor in all interactions with patients and staff.
- Model effective de-escalation and negotiation skills.
- Promote the use of least restrictive interventions per hospital policy.
- Demonstrate respect for cultural diversity and foster an inclusive care environment.

Minimum Qualifications

Required:

- Doctoral Degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology.
- Completion of an accredited doctoral program.
- Licensed or license-eligible in the Commonwealth of Virginia
- ILPPP Basic Forensic Evaluation Training (or able to complete upon hire)
- Experience in supervision, forensic evaluation, or treatment in a forensic setting.

Additional Considerations

- Comprehensive knowledge of forensic psychology, including knowledge of legal issues relative to competency restoration treatment and evaluation and the NGRI process in Virginia.
- Strong supervisory skills and ability to manage people and programs effectively.
- Ability to set strategic goals and develop programs to improve forensic services.
- Ability to communicate with external stakeholders, including court personnel and other DBHDS facilities.
- Strong consultation skills and ability to provide expert feedback to clinical treatment teams.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Central State Hospital only accepts online applications via RMS. Resumes and other documents may accompany the application but will not serve as a substitute for an application. Faxed, e-mailed, or mailed applications will not be accepted. Please refer to your RMS account for the status of your application and this position. This posting will remain open for a minimum of five (5) business days.


An extensive criminal history background investigation, not limited to employment references, drug testing and E-Verify will be conducted.

Central State Hospital offers a comprehensive benefit package to include your choice of four health insurance plans, paid life insurance and retirement plans, 12 paid holidays, annual and sick leave.

Applicants must list all relevant experience that you wish to be considered for this position. Applicants will be provided confirmation of receipt when your application and/or resume is submitted. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position. A fingerprint-based criminal history check and reference checks are required for the selected candidate for this position. Under Virginia Code §37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is prohibited from employing or using as volunteers, persons who have been convicted of specific “barrier” crimes or persons who may be the subject of pending “barrier” charges.

DBHDS facilities are no longer required to ensure that all staff members are vaccinated against COVID-19. However, facilities encourage and educate staff on the benefits, and continue to offer COVID-19 vaccination programs to staff, residents/clients. Employees may be required to disclose immunization status for purposes of infection prevention and/or management of outbreaks. Upon acceptance of a job offer, new recruits will be asked to disclose their vaccination status (and for those fully vaccinated, proof of vaccination) during the pre-employment process. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Human Resources.

Commonwealth’s Alternate Hiring Process: In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS, to get their Certificate of Disability. To obtain a Certificate of Disability go to: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 800-552-5019.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview process per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact Human Resources at
(804) 524-7111 for assistance.

DBHDS is an equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities are open to all regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability. Minorities, Individuals with Disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TTY

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: 1-804-524-7111

Email: CSHRecruitment@dbhds.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.