Corrections Counselor 1

Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania; Scranton (Lackawanna County); On-site; USD 57,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is seeking a Corrections Counselor 1 at the Scranton Community Corrections Center. This Civil Service permanent full-time role focuses on helping reentrants develop skills for successful reintegration and life in the community.

The position involves guiding clients through goal setting, crisis intervention, orientation, and structured activities, with responsibilities spanning case documentation and community resource connection.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent with 18 credits in sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections or related field.
• Three years and six months as a corrections officer or equivalent experience.
• Must have 18 college credits in related fields OR be within 3 months of graduating with qualifying degree/credits.

Responsibilities

• Goal Support: assist reentrants with setting and achieving goals for employment, education, training, housing, and community service.
• Crisis Response: provide crisis intervention, assessments, and referrals to needed services.
• Orientation Guidance: lead orientation sessions and review case files to help reentrants understand expectations and resources.
• Skill Building: conduct workshops, groups, and seminars promoting pro-social behavior and healthy relationships.
• Case Documentation: maintain progress records and update electronic case files for active reentrants.
• Community Connection: coordinate outreach and connect reentrants to community resources.

Education

Bachelor's degree including 18 college credits in sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field

Three years and six months as a corrections officer

Equivalent combination of experience and training with 18 college credits in related fields

Job description

Salary

$56,541.00 - $86,022.00 Annually

Location

Lackawanna County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

CS-2026-57024-47530

Department

Department of Corrections

Division

CR Scranton Cmy Corr Ctr

Opening Date

08/27/2026

Closing Date

9/9/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

47530

Position Number

50285794

Union

SEIU Local 668

Bargaining Unit

F4

Pay Group

ST06

Bureau / Division Code

00119220

Bureau / Division

Scranton Community Corrections Center

Worksite Address

240 Adams Avenue

City

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

18503

Contact Name

Heather Shenenberger

Contact Email

[e-mail]

THE POSITION

Are you looking for a meaningful role that lets you make a real difference as a Corrections Counselor 1 with the Department of Corrections? This position allows you to help reentrants at the Scranton Community Corrections Center develop important skills and prepare for life in the community. Your dedication will guide them through challenges and celebrate their progress. Step into a role that values leadership, compassion, and personal growth.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This role focuses on helping reentrants build the skills and confidence needed for successful reintegration into the community. You will offer guidance, support, and structured activities that promote positive change. As a Corrections Counselor 1, you will perform the following duties:

• Goal Support: Assist reentrants with setting and achieving goals for employment, education, training, housing, and community service
• Crisis Response: Provide crisis intervention, conduct assessments, and make referrals to needed services
• Orientation Guidance: Lead orientation sessions and review case files to help reentrants understand expectations and resources
• Skill Building: Conduct workshops, groups, and seminars that promote pro-social behavior and healthy relationships
• Case Documentation: Maintain detailed progress records and update electronic case files for each active reentrant
• Community Connection: Coordinate outreach efforts and connect reentrants to community resources and service opportunities

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
• Work hours are 12:00 PM to 8:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55.
• Free parking is included with this position.
• 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.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Three years and six months as a corrections officer, and 18 college credits in any combination of sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field; or
• A bachelor's degree including 18 college credits in any combination of sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes 18 college credits in any combination of 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/credits.

Special Requirements:

• You 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:

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

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.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• 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.