Correctional Counselor, Entry Level Option (Wilsonville)

Oregon Department of Corrections; Wilsonville (OR); On-site; USD 77,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

AFSCME represented

PERS benefits

Job summary

Correctional Counselor, Entry Level Option (Wilsonville) at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, Oregon, is a front-line role focused on rehabilitation, conducting daily interviews and risk/needs assessments for adults in custody to guide custody classification and recidivism reduction.

You will join a multi-disciplinary team, provide tiered case management, and support reintegration while AFSCME representation and PERS benefits may apply.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor's in behavioral science or related field with two years of counseling experience, OR three years in a social service or correctional program with two years counseling exp, OR a Master's with one year counseling exp.
• Professional counseling requires one-to-one client work with full responsibility for case plans.
• Experience in security roles does not substitute for the minimum qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Set the stage for rehabilitation and motivate change for adults in custody.
• Conduct daily one-on-one interviews and risk/needs evaluations.
• Provide full/underfill case management based on risk and needs, including resources and interventions.
• Work within a multi-disciplinary team to support reintegration and safety.
• Contribute to reducing recidivism and maintaining professional conduct.

Skills

Caseload management

Department of Corrections systems

Accountability and boundaries

Team collaboration

Communication and writing

Self-directed

Education

Bachelor's degree in behavioral science or related field

Master's degree in behavioral science or criminal justice

Job description

Position Title
Correctional Counselor, Entry Level Option (Wilsonville)

Initial Posting Date
11/09/2026

Application Deadline
11/22/2026

Agency
Department of Corrections

Salary Range
$6,895 - $9,140

Position Type
Employee

Position Title
Correctional Counselor, Entry Level Option (Wilsonville)

Job Description

Correctional Counselor, Entry Level Option (Wilsonville)

Coffee Creek Correctional Facility

Oregon Department of Corrections

Do you have experience working with clients to break down the barriers that are impeding positive change? If so, we are expanding our team and seek an experienced professional case manager like you.

This employment opportunity is with the Correctional Services Division of the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, Oregon.

Candidates who do not meet the minimum qualifications for the Correctional Counselor may be considered as an underfill in the Entry Correctional Counselor classification.

An underfill must meet the minimum qualifications for the lower classification and would receive the pay in accordance with the lower classifications salary range until they meet the minimum qualification for the full position. At that time the successful candidate would be moved to the higher classification and salary range.

The salary range for the underfill is: $5, 483 - $7,035.

Preference may be given to candidates who can meet the full qualifications.

About The Job – Your Role

Your primary duties are to set the stage for rehabilitation and elicit motivation for change in each Adult in Custody (AIC) from the beginning of their incarceration. You are responsible for conducting daily interviews and assessments on a one-on-one basis for AICs at the institution. This includes conducting assessments, risk/needs evaluations, and file reviews to determine custody classification and gate clearance, which directly influence population management decisions.

You will provide intensive and intermediate case management for AICs based on their risk to recidivate and special needs. This comprehensive case management system ensures that resources are focused on AIC success by identifying the right needs, utilizing the right interventions, and managing AICs at the appropriate level of case management. Additionally, you would provide basic services to low-risk AICs, ensuring a broad and effective range of support across all risk levels.

As the core correctional resource for case management, you would play a central role in the multi-disciplinary team approach within the institution. This collaborative approach fosters rapport-building across various program disciplines, resulting in a holistic, systems-based model for working with each individual AIC. By focusing on rehabilitation and supporting each AIC’s success, you would contribute to both individual and institutional safety, while working toward reducing recidivism and supporting a successful reintegration into society.

This position is represented by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). This position may be eligible for Police & Fire (P&F) benefits through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), as defined by statute.

Minimum Qualifications

Your application materials will be reviewed to verify that you have:

• Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science, criminal justice or related field with major coursework in behavioral science; AND have two (2) years of professional counseling experience working with clientele in a social service or rehabilitative program; OR
• Three (3) years of experience in a social service, rehabilitative, or correctional program with primary responsibility for guiding and/or counseling individuals or groups in the solution of occupational, educational, personal, or social problems AND two (2) years of professional counseling experience working with clientele in a social service or rehabilitative program; OR
• Master's degree in a behavioral science or criminal justice AND one (1) year of professional counseling experience working with clientele in a social service or rehabilitative program

Experience in any security series position in and of itself does not substitute for the required minimum qualifications.

NOTE: Professional counseling experience must include providing supportive counseling to clients on a one-to-one basis with full responsibility for developing and managing each case plan.

Entry Level/Underfill Minimum Qualifications

• Three (3) years of experience in a social service, rehabilitative, or correctional program with primary responsibility for guiding and/or counseling individuals or groups in the solution of occupational, educational, personal, or social problems; OR
• a Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science or a related field with major courses in behavioral science.

Experience in any security series position in and of itself does not substitute for the required minimum qualifications.

NOTE: Professional counseling experience must include providing supportive counseling to clients on a one-to-one basis with full responsibility for developing and managing each case plan.

Requested Skills

• Caseload Management experience;
• Knowledge of Department of Corrections systems;
• Ability to hold adults in custody accountable in appropriate manner;
• Strong personal boundaries;
• Willingness to learn from others;
• A belief that people can change; displays an attitude that conveys dignity and respect in the treatment of others;
• Ability to be part of a team and maintaining positive, respectful, and productive work environment;
• Ability to form collaborative and productive partnerships with a diverse set of stakeholders;
• Adaptable and open to change; flexible and solution oriented;
• Demonstrates good communication and writing skills;
• Be self-directed and motivated;

Preferred Skills

• Experience working with the female justice-involved population and awareness of their unique criminogenic and trauma-related needs.
• Strong understanding of behavioral change principles, especially the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model.
• Proficiency in documentation and use of electronic case management systems.
• Certification in Motivational Interviewing.
• Bilingual or multilingual candidates encouraged to apply.
• Possess a current Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) certification;

Working Conditions

All institutions are tobacco-free. The use of tobacco products is prohibited within the buildings or on the grounds. Work is performed in prisons housing maximum, close, medium, and minimum-security adults in custody. Adults in custody have the potential to become angry, hostile, abusive, and aggressive increasing the risk for employees of physical injury, death, and/or being taken hostage. There is an inherent responsibility to provide assistance through recall and/or reassignment during an adult in custody unrest and other emergency situations occurring at the institution.

Institutions are exposed to temperature extremes and inclement weather. The incumbent may be required to perform duties outside in inclement weather and temperature extremes. Walking long distances to get to the workstation or to perform work will be required. Most adults in custody housing units are two levels requiring the use of stairs to reach the second level.

All employees are required to use a computer for E-Mail, word processing, and related adult in custody information systems in the regular performance of their duties.

Work schedule is driven by institution need to provide counseling services to AICs in accommodation of Section 41, Article 1 of the Oregon State Constitution (previously known as Ballot Measure 17.)

Requires occasional in-state and out-of-state overnight travel.

All employees shall interact with co-workers, AICs, and the public in a professional, respectful manner. This includes refraining from any type of behavior, action, or language that could be perceived as hostile, discriminatory, intimidating, violent, or abusive.

On a daily basis, inherent custodial duties include control of institution keys by maintaining proper custody, use, and reporting discrepancies, enforcing department and institution directives for safe and secure operations/security. An employee is responsible to prevent escapes from confinement by proper control of keys, tools, equipment, and contraband, and to document unusual incidents. This person is subject to recall to the institution in the event of an emergency and is to maintain preparedness for emergencies by reading and following the Emergency Response Plan Manual.

Maintain professional demeanor, code