Contract Forensic Evaluators

Come work with the largest forensic hospital system in the nation!

The Department of State Hospitals-Forensic Services Division is hiring contract psychologist and psychiatrists as forensic evaluators Sexually Violent Predators (SVP) and Offenders with Mental Health Disorders (OMD).

DSH is seeking highly-trained mental health professionals to provide specialty forensic evaluation services including:

  • Forensic psychological evaluations and evaluation reports
  • Court preparation and testimony regarding evaluations
  • Consultation related to evaluations
  • Peer reviews of evaluations
  • Peer training

IST Independent Evaluator Recruitment

The Department of State Hospitals (DSH) is seeking highly trained mental health professionals to provide specialty evaluation services for the Incompetent to Stand Trial (IST) Re-Evaluation Program. Applications are reviewed based on the demand for Re-Evaluation Services.

Psychiatrists and Psychologists interested in becoming contractor evaluators for DSH must submit an IST Contractor Evaluator Application and be approved by the Department of State Hospitals.

Pay Rates: IST Contractor Evaluators can make up to $1,800 per full-fee case completed evaluation (depending on evaluation type).

Benefits: As a contract employee, these evaluators receive no state employee benefits.

For more information on specific requirements for IST Contractor Evaluators and to apply, visit links below:

Licensed psychiatrists and psychologists at least five (5) years of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders are encouraged to apply. DSH will provide structured training for those applicants who are selected.

If you have any questions or concerns about the application process or qualifications, please contact us by email at: DSHISTReEvaluationProgram@dsh.ca.gov or by phone at (916) 562-2810.


SVP Independent Evaluator Recruitment

Work Location: DSH is recruiting evaluators who will travel to a variety of locations throughout the state including state prisons, state hospitals, county jails and county courts to perform these specialized evaluations and provide expert testimony.

Pay Rates: SVP Independent Evaluators can make up to $4,500 per completed evaluation (depending on evaluation type). They are also compensated for court time, travel within California, and for file reviews.

Benefits: As a contract employee, independent evaluators receive no state employee benefits.

For more information on specific requirements for SVP Independent Evaluators and to apply, please see links below:

Licensed psychiatrists and psychologists are encouraged to apply. DSH offers APA accredited training to those applicants that are selected to be on the contract panel.

If you have any questions or concerns about your qualifications, please contact us by email at: SVPIndependentPanel@dsh.ca.gov or by phone: (916) 651-8543.


OMD Independent Evaluator Recruitment

The Department of State Hospitals (DSH) is seeking highly-trained mental health professionals to provide specialty evaluation services for the Offenders with Mental Health Disorders (OMD) Program. Applications are reviewed based on demand for the OMD Program.

Psychiatrists and Psychologists interested in becoming contractor evaluators for DSH must submit a OMD Contractor Evaluator Application and be approved by the Department of State Hospitals.

Pay Rates: OMD Contractor Evaluators can make up to $1,350 per full-fee case completed evaluation.

Benefits: As a contract employee, these evaluators receive no state employee benefits.

For more information on specific requirements for OMD Contractor Evaluators and to apply visit links below:

Licensed psychiatrists and psychologists at least five (5) years of post-licensure experience in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders are encouraged to apply. DSH will provide structured training for those applicants who are selected.

If you have any questions or concerns about the application process or qualifications, please contact us by email at: DSH_MDO_ContractorEval@DSH.CA.GOV or by phone at (916) 651-8543.


OMD BPH Independent Evaluator Recruitment

The Department of State Hospitals (DSH) accepts applications for the Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) Offenders with Mental Health Disorders (OMD) Independent Evaluator Panel from May 1 to June 30 each year.

Psychologists and psychiatrists interested in becoming independent evaluators for BPH must submit an OMD Independent Evaluator application and be approved by the DSH. OMD Independent Evaluators will provide specialty evaluation services including:

  • Independent evaluations to potential OMDs in state prisons when there is a difference of opinion between the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the DSH.
  • Independent evaluations when requested by an offender.

Pay Rates: OMD Independent Evaluators can make up to $750 per completed evaluation depending on type.

Benefits: As a contract employee, these evaluators receive no state employee benefits.

For more information on specific requirements for OMD Independent Evaluators and to apply, please see links below:

Licensed, qualified, psychiatrists and psychologists are encouraged to apply. BPH will provide structured training for those applicants who are selected to be on the evaluator panel.

If you have any questions or concerns about your qualifications or the application process, please contact us by email at BPHIndependentPanel@dsh.ca.gov or by phone at (916) 651-8543

If you have any questions regarding the BPH training schedule and fee structure, please contact BPH by email at MDO.IndependentEvals@cdcr.ca.gov or by phone at (916) 445-4072.