CORRECTIONAL COUNSELOR II (SPECIALIST)

State of California; California; On-site; USD 107,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

Kern Valley State Prison is seeking a Correctional Counselor II, Specialist (Litigation Coordinator) in Delano, CA. This sworn position serves as liaison with the Attorney General’s Office, state and county agencies, courts, and attorneys to ensure compliance with court decisions and policy updates.

The role includes training staff on litigation changes, enforcing vest policies, equipment checks, and performing peace officer duties as needed. Salary ranges from $9,609 to $12,699 per month.

Qualifications

• See the Class Specification for detailed qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Liaises with the Attorney General’s Office, state and county law enforcement agencies, courts, attorneys, and other agencies as needed.
• Evaluates institutional policies and procedures to maintain compliance with court decisions and recommends policy revisions.
• Provides training to administration and staff on operational changes necessitated by litigation.
• Adheres to vest policy and checks out equipment including OC Pepper Spray, personal alarm device and keys.
• Will be required to perform peace officer duties as needed.

Job description

Job Posting:Correctional Counselor II (Specialist) (Litigation Coordinator)

Kern Valley State Prison

JC-535402 - Correctional Counselor II (Specialist) (Litigation Coordinator)

$9,609.00 - $12,699.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 10/27/2026

Job Description and Duties

Under the direction of the Warden, the Correctional Counselor II (CC-II), Specialist (Litigation Coordinator), a sworn peace officer, ensures compliance with all legal matters concerning the institution. Serves as the liaison with the Attorney General’s Office, state and county law enforcement agencies, courts, attorneys, and other agencies as needed. Evaluates institutional policies and procedures to maintain compliance with court decisions and makes recommendations to administration regarding necessary policy revisions. Provides training to administration and staff on operational changes necessitated by litigation. All CC-II’s will adhere to the current vest policy as well as check out appropriate equipment including OC Pepper Spray, personal alarm device and keys. Will be required to perform peace officer duties as needed.

All other duties as required

Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s). Individuals must specify on their application that they are applying for a Training and Development assignment.

CDCR/CCHCS employees are encouraged to use their existing CDCR email address on their application.

This advertisement is for a Correctional Counselor II, Specialist position, located at Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP) in Delano, CA (Kern County). Please indicate the position number on your application: 915-224-9901-201.

Effective July 1, 2025, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) was implemented. PLP 2025 requires that each full-time employee receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours of PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through June 2027.

Salaries do not reflect the recent changes.

Working Conditions

About the location – Kern Valley State Prison is located in Delano, the heart of California’s Central Valley. With a diverse population, Delano thrives as a melting pot of cultures, each adding its own unique flavor to the community. From lively festivals celebrating the area’s Filipino, Mexican, and other heritage groups, to the local farmers' markets showcasing the bountiful produce of Kern County, Delano is a city that embraces its diversity making it an ideal place to live, work, and play.

Delano's thriving business environment provides numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs, retailers, and corporations. The city’s strategic location, connected by major highways and rail lines, makes it an attractive hub for commerce and innovation. Local initiatives foster a business-friendly climate, driving growth and prosperity in the region.

For those seeking leisure, Delano offers a plethora of recreational activities. Parks, theaters, museums, and more beckon residents and visitors alike. Annual events like the Harvest Holidays parade and the Cinco de Mayo celebration provide entertainment for all ages, while the city’s amenities cater to a modern, fulfilling lifestyle.

Whether you're looking to establish roots, launch a business, or simply experience the warmth of a tight-knit community, Delano awaits. Join us in this city of promise, where the past informs a bright future.

KVSP is a Level IV facility consisting of four semi-autonomous 180 designed facilities and two stand-alone Administrative Segregation Units, all surrounded by a Lethal Electrified Perimeter Fence.

This is a Correctional Institution open 24 hours/7 days a week, all positions will be office centered.

This is a Correctional facility; you will come in contact with incarcerated persons.

There is also a Level I Minimum Support Facility. It is on 600 acres. KVSP received Level I’s in June 2005 and Level IV’s in July 2005.

Minimum Requirements

See the Class Specification for detailed qualifications.

Job Classification

Classification: CORRECTIONAL COUNSELOR II (SPECIALIST) $9,609.00 - $12,094.00A $10,089.00 - $12,699.00J New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions: 1

Work Location: Kern County

Telework: In Office

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Vision

We enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs.

Mission

To facilitate the successful reintegration of the individuals in our care back to their communities equipped with the tools to be drug-free, healthy, and employable members of society by providing education, treatment, rehabilitative, and restorative justice programs, all in a safe and humane environment.

Commitment

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) are committed to transforming the correctional landscape to create safer, more professional, and more fulfilling environments for our employees, the incarcerated population, and those supervised in our communities. Through systemwide improvements grounded in proven and emerging practices, we aim to strengthen rehabilitation, enhance workplace satisfaction, and support successful reentry into the community through our institutions, parole, and community partnerships. Our shared mission is to promote safety, wellness, and human dignity while fostering positive change for all those who live and work within our institutions and communities.

CDCR and CCHCS are committed to building an inclusive respectful workplace. We are determined to attract and hire candidates from all communities and empower employees from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences. We are proud to foster inclusion and drive collaborative efforts at all levels of the Department.

CDCR and CCHCS strive to collaborate with the community to enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs. Incumbents establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within the department, other governmental agencies, health care partners, and communities.

CDCR/CCHCS values all team members. We work cooperatively to provide the highest level of health care possible to a diverse correctional population, which includes medical, dental, nursing, mental health, and pharmacy. We encourage creativity and ingenuity while treating others fairly, honestly, and with respect, all of which are critical to the success of the CDCR/CCHCS mission.

Do NOT include ANY confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined a candidate does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

Applicants who completed their education outside of the US (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of U.S. course/degree equivalency. Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at NACES | National Association of Credential Evaluation Services

Candidates new to CDCR/CCHCS are required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan Fingerprinting, as well as a Tuberculosis test/evaluation prior to appointment, followed by department annual Tuberculosis testing/evaluation thereafter.

When submitting supporting documents, PDF file format is preferred.

CDCR/CCHCS utilizes E-Verify to confirm candidate’s identity and employment authorization. For more information about E-Verify, you may go to http://www.e-verify.gov/ .

This advertisement may be used for other vacancies that occur during the life of this recruitment.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Willingness to create and promote an equitable and inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated and valued.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled.You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s)to the Department's EEO Office.

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice)TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.