Forensic Social Worker 1 - Torrance State Hospital

About the role

Do you seek a career where your support helps people build better futures as a Forensic Social Worker 1 with the Department of Human Services? In this role, you will assist patients at Torrance State Hospital as they work on improving their lives and strengthening their well-being. You will be part of a team focused on meaningful progress for every person served. This is your opportunity to make a lasting difference.

This position provides social services and counseling to forensic patients who have been placed through the criminal justice system for evaluation and treatment. You will support their progress while working closely with families, staff, and external agencies. As a Forensic Social Worker 1, you will perform the following duties:

• Patient Interviews: Interview forensic patients, families, and agency contacts to gather and update information about their social, medical, and emotional status
• Needs Assessment: Assess patient needs and provide education and therapy to support improved personal and social functioning
• Team Collaboration: Work with multidisciplinary staff to develop and carry out individualized care and treatment plans
• Progress Recording: Document patient progress toward social service goals and communicate updates to involved parties
• Discharge Planning: Prepare discharge or transfer plans that outline continued care or follow-up needs
• Commitment Compliance: Maintain current court commitment records and complete recommitment petitions as required

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements

• A bachelor's or master’s degree in social work or social welfare.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements

• A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination and a drug screening.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Older Adult Protective Services Act.
• Under the Act, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports, including but not limited to, PA State Police and FBI clearance.

How to Apply

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

Additional information

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
• your score may be lower than deserved.
• you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.