Forensic Social Worker 1 - Torrance State Hospital
Salary
$54,240.00 - $79,062.00 Annually
Location
Westmoreland County, PA
Job Type
Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number
CS-2026-52124-40061
Department
Department of Human Services
Division
HS Torrance St Hosp
Opening Date
06/24/2026
Closing Date
7/8/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code
40061
Position Number
Multiple positions may be filled from this posting.
Union
SEIU Local 668
Bargaining Unit
F4
Pay Group
ST06
Bureau / Division Code
00210973
Bureau / Division
Torrance State Hospital
Worksite Address
121 Longview Drive
City
Torrance, Pennsylvania
Zip Code
15779
Contact Name
Sandra Schleicher
Contact Email
saschleich@pa.gov
THE POSITION
As a Forensic Social Worker 1 with Torrance State Hospital, you will help guide patients toward safer, healthier futures. This role supports individuals who are working through significant challenges in a secure and structured setting while also building your own professional abilities as part of a dedicated multi-disciplinary care team. Apply now and join our mission to provide all persons committed to our care with the opportunity for growth, recovery, and inclusion in their community.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position provides a full range of social services and therapeutic support to forensic patients with a mental illness who have been placed through the criminal justice or correctional system for diagnosis, evaluation, and intensive treatment. You will play a key role in helping individuals work toward improved social functioning and more satisfactory social and emotional adjustment. As a Forensic Social Worker 1, you will perform the following duties:
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
Other Requirements:
Legal Requirements:
How to Apply:
Veterans:
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
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.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
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.
Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.
Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.
01
Do you possess a conferred Bachelors degree or higher in Social Work or Social Welfare, or are you within 3 months of completing a Bachelors degree or higher?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.
You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.
02
If you do not have a conferred bachelors degree or higher, on what date do you expect to receive your degree? Type N/A in the text box if this does not apply.
03
You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your educational background to the position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.
Read each category carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of education. List the training source(s) from your education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. Please note you must have received a passing grade in the course to earn credit for it on this supplement. The "Level of Performance" you choose for each work behavior must be clearly supported within the description of the education information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. You may NOT claim the same course under more than one area of study. You also may be asked to provide a syllabus for any course in question.
In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.
If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.
If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our FAQ page.
04
WORK BEHAVIOR 1: COLLEGE COURSEWORK - GERONTOLOGY
Defined as the study of the aging process, older adults, and the issues important to them. Emphasis is given to understanding client and family strengths; diversity among the aged population; the social, cultural, community, and policy contexts of aging in order to understand the aging process and gain skills to practice with and/or on behalf of the elderly and their family members. To qualify under this category, gerontology must have been an integral part of the course. Coursework includes but is not limited to: Aging Populations; Bereavement and Grieving; Social Work and Aging; Introduction to Gerontology; Social Dynamics of Aging; and Psychology of Adulthood and Aging.
05
EDUCATION DETAILS
Please list details regarding the coursework you are claiming in the table below. Please note you must have received a passing grade in the course to earn credit for it on this supplement. You may not claim the same course under more than one area of study. If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If your education was acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.
You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.
06
WORK BEHAVIOR 2: COLLEGE COURSEWORK - MENTAL HEALTH/MENTAL ILLNESS
Defined as the study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting individual behavior. To qualify under this category, mental health/mental illness must have been an integral part of the course. Coursework includes, but is not limited to Abnormal Psychology; Psychopharmacology; Psychology of Human Cognition; Behavior Modification; Addiction and Society; Brain and Behavior; Psychopathy; and Drug/Alcohol Addiction.
07
EDUCATION DETAILS
Please list details regarding the coursework you are claiming in the table below. Please note you must have received a passing grade in the course to earn credit for it on this supplement. You may NOT claim the same course under more than one area of study. If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If your education was acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.
You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.
08
WORK BEHAVIOR 3: COLLEGE COURSEWORK - CRIMINOLOGY
Defined as the study of the nature, extent, management, causes, control, consequences, and prevention of criminal behavior. To qualify under this category, criminology must have been an integral part of the course. Coursework includes, but is not limited to: Deviance and Social control; Gender and Crime; Substance Abuse and the Criminal Justice System; Ethnic and Minority Relations; Family Violence; and Psychology of Criminal Behavior.
09
EDUCATION DETAILS
Please list details regarding the coursework you are claiming in the table below. Please note you must have received a passing grade in the course to earn credit for it on this supplement. You may NOT claim the same course under more than one area of study. If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If your education was acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.
You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.
10
WORK BEHAVIOR 4: COLLEGE COURSEWORK - DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Defined as chronic mental or physical impairments that arise before adulthood and can cause difficulties in certain areas of life, most notably language, mobility and learning, and independent living. Some examples of common developmental disabilities include Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. To qualify under this category, developmental disabilities must have been an integral part of the course. Coursework includes, but is not limited to: Treatment and Education in Developmental Disabilities; Special Education; Social Work and Developmental Disabilities; and Cognitive Psychology.
11
EDUCATION DETAILS
Please list details regarding the coursework you are claiming in the table below. Please note you must have received a passing grade in the course to earn credit for it on this supplement. You may NOT claim the same course under more than one area of study. If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If your education was acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.
You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.
Required Question
Employer Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Address 613 North Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120
Website http://www.employment.pa.gov