Corrections Counselor 1 - SCI Coal Township

If you are driven to make a meaningful impact combining social work, counseling, and criminal justice, this is the opportunity for you! The Department of Corrections is seeking a dedicated Corrections Counselor 1 to join our mission-focused team at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Coal Township. In this role, you will provide essential counseling and casework services supporting inmates on their path toward rehabilitation and personal growth. Apply today to play an integral part in helping individuals successfully reintegrate into society while promoting safer, stronger communities for all.

In this position, you will conduct inmate interviews to support their adjustment to institutional life, address challenges specific to the correctional setting, and provide encouragement. You will offer consultation and guidance on resolving personal and family issues, facilitating conflict resolution, and addressing concerns within both the institution and the community. Key responsibilities include developing and maintaining accurate records and reports for managing an inmate caseload. Additionally, a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach will be used to coordinate treatment plans, integrating programming, activities, counseling, and educational services to optimize personnel and resources. This role involves working closely with various teams, including psychological and medical staff, to ensure comprehensive support for each inmate.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 40-hour work week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $55,436.00 (before taxes).
• 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:

• Three years and six months as a corrections officer, and 18 college credits in sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field; or
• A bachelor's degree in sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 18 college credits in sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Special Requirements:

• All employees must obtain Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN) and Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET) certification within two months of employment and maintain certification for the duration of employment in this job.

Other Requirements:

• Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA is required.
• 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:

• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

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. 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.