Forensic Security Employee Trainee - Norristown State Hospital

Applications are currently disabled. You must apply during the application window, which starts at 9:00 AM on Thursday, July 2, 2026 and ends at 11:59 PM on Sunday, July 5, 2026 (Eastern Standard Time).

Build a meaningful career as a Forensic Security Employee Trainee at Norristown State Hospital! In this role, you will support mentally ill patients who have been referred to our long-term psychiatric facility by the criminal justice system. Our experienced staff will provide you with guidance and on-the-job training in a safe and supportive environment. Join the Department of Human Services if you are looking for a new opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.

This position supports the daily care and safety of patients in our secure Regional Forensic Psychiatric Center while developing essential skills through training. You will participate in patient care, security tasks, and supervised learning activities. As a Forensic Security Employee Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Patient Support: Assist patients with daily living activities such as bathing, oral hygiene, hair care, and dressing
• Health Monitoring: Help with non-professional nursing tasks such as taking temperature and collecting urine specimens
• Safety Checks: Perform regular rounds to ensure a safe and secure environment for patients and staff
• Documentation: Record observations clearly and share important information during shift report
• Security Procedures: Follow established rules when escorting patients, screening visitors, and monitoring facility areas
• Team Collaboration: Work respectfully with staff and participate in training to develop skills

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

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
• The first eight weeks of classroom training will be on day shift, Monday - Friday, from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Following the classroom training, you will be required to rotate between the two shifts below throughout the one-year training period. You will be assigned to each shift for four consecutive months before rotating to the other shift. You will work a rotating schedule with every other weekend off and a 30-minute lunch.
  • 1st Shift - 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM
  • 2nd Shift - 3:00 PM to 11:30 PM
• Overtime will be required as operationally necessary.
• Free parking!
• 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Completion of the tenth school grade; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

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 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).
• 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. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

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

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.

• 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.