Correctional Release Counselor, Entry Level Option (Wilsonville)
State of Oregon
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Job summary
State of Oregon is seeking a Correctional Release Counselor, Entry Level Option at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville. The role supports the Release Services Unit within the Oregon Department of Corrections, focusing on individualized release planning and reentry services.
Ideal candidates will possess relevant behavioral science education and counseling experience, with preference given to those meeting full qualifications.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science, criminal justice or related field with major coursework in behavioral science; AND two years of professional counseling experience with clientele in a social service or rehabilitative program; OR
- Three years of experience in a social service, rehabilitative, or correctional program with primary responsibility for guiding and/or counseling individuals or groups and two years of professional counseling experience
- Master's degree in a behavioral science or criminal justice with one year of professional counseling experience
Responsibilities
- Assess, plan, and coordinate services for adults in custody to ensure smooth transition to the community.
- Evaluate risks, needs, and support systems to develop individualized release plans.
- Prepare and process immediate releases, including securing housing, employment, and community resources.
- Manage urgent situations and respond effectively to immediate release needs.
- Communicate effectively with AICs, legal representatives, families, and community organizations.
- Manage multiple cases, meet deadlines, and adapt to fast-paced casework.
Education
Job description
Correctional Release Counselor, Entry Level Option (Wilsonville)
11/02/2026
11/15/2026
Department of Corrections
$6,895 - $9,140
Employee
Correctional Release 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 for the Release Services Unit 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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
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.
- Ability to assess, plan, and coordinate services for adults in custody (AICs) to ensure a smooth transition to the community.
- Proficiency in evaluating AICs' risks, needs, and support systems to develop individualized release plans.
- Experience in preparing and processing immediate releases, including securing housing, employment, and community resources.
- Ability to manage urgent situations and respond effectively to immediate release needs.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills to interact with AICs, legal representatives, families, and community organizations.
- Ability to manage multiple cases, meet deadlines, and adapt to fast-paced, short-term casework.
- Understanding of institutional policies, legal requirements, and reentry programs related to correctional releases.
- Ability to develop creative solutions for barriers to reentry, such as housing, employment, and treatment access.
- Commitment to upholding ethical standards and maintaining the confidentiality of AIC information.
- Experience working with the female justice-involved population and awareness of their unique criminogenic and trauma-related needs.
- Received Gender Responsive and Trauma Informed training
- 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.
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 of ethics, and good communication to create a safe work environment. The employee in this position works in an office environment where conversations and paperwork are generated of a sensitive nature on a daily basis and must possess the ability to keep this information confidential.
The Oregon Department of Corrections is responsible for over 12,000 adults in custody in 12 state prisons throughout Oregon. It advises and evaluates counties regarding administration of probation and parole programs supervising more than 24,000 offenders in Oregon communities. The mission is to protect communities, promote accountability, and transform lives.
The Oregon Department of Corrections serves a diverse and changing population of people who are incarcerated and on supervision. We commit to creating an organization both reflecting the diversity of the population we serve and ensuring all employees thrive in a culture of safety, trust, and belonging. We strive to be an anti‑racist corrections system. Welcoming, inclusive, and respectful of all people. Free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
The Department offers a variety of programs and opportunity to create a safe and healthy environment to for our staff, volunteers, and adults in custody. Joining the Oregon Department of Corrections is joining a team working for the benefit of our communities through innovative and proven correctional practices.
The salary range listed above is for non-PERS qualifying applicants. PERS qualifying applicants may be eligible for an adjusted range to reflect an additional 6.95%.
- Family health, vision, and dental insurance
- Vacation, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays
- 21 days paid military leave for national guard and reserve components
- Optional short and long-term disability
- Term life insurance
- Fully paid retirement program
- Oregon Saving Growth Plan
- Flexible spending accounts for health and childcare
- And more
- After the application deadline, a recruiter will review submissions for education and experience to identify candidates who best fit the minimum qualifications and requested skills.
- Top candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
- The hiring manager will review your application and schedule interviews.
- Interview will be held with a panel of stakeholders who have completed panel assessment training. Scores will be determined based on predetermined questions and scoring guides. Preferences points will be applied in compliance with relevant laws and bargaining agreements. There may be multiple rounds of interviews.
- Final candidates will have a background check, PREA check, and reference checks.
- A Classification and Compensation analyst will review the Workday Application of the successful candidate to determine starting wages. Learn more about Equal Pay.
- A job offer will be extended through Workday to the successful candidate. Congratulations, and welcome to the team!
The successful candidate for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility. Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, there may be some felony convictions that could disqualify you for this position. However, having a felony record does not exclusively restrict you from being considered as an applicant. CJIS clearance is done at the conditional job offer. If you have questions about whether or not your criminal record could disqualify for you, please contact the recruiter for more information.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDI&B) is embedded in the Department of Corrections core values. The department strives to be a model employer committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Ensuring legal compliance, efficiency, and exceeding expectations to deliver the best public services.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. Additional information can be found from The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Know Your Rights.
The Oregon Department of Corrections is responsible for complying with the Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA 42 U.S.C. 1997). PREA prohibits the Oregon Department of Corrections from hiring, promoting, or contracting with anyone, (that will have direct contact with residents), who has engaged in, been convicted of, or been civilly or administratively adjudicated for engaging in sexual abuse in confinement settings. Learn more about PREA.
Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility. Please note – if you are a veteran, you will receive a task in Workday to upload your documents immediately after you submit your initial application. You will have up until 24 hours after the posted application deadline to submit the appropriate documentation.
If you have questions about the position, selection process, or need accommodations to participate in the recruitment process please contact the recruiter and reference the requisition number.
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