Corrections Counselor 1 - SCI Albion

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Concord Township (PA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is seeking a Corrections Counselor 1 at SCI Albion to guide inmates toward meaningful change. You will provide counseling and casework, advocate for individuals, and coordinate with staff and community resources to support reintegration and skill development.

Responsibilities include conducting inmate counseling sessions, maintaining records, reviewing assessments, coordinating programs with multidisciplinary teams, and assisting with re-entry planning and parole

Qualifications

• 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.
• A bachelor’s degree including 18 college credits in sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field.
• Equivalent combination of experience and training with 18 college credits in related fields.

Responsibilities

• Inmate Counseling: Meet with inmates to address adjustment concerns and guide development of social and vocational skills.
• Caseload Records: Prepare and maintain reports, coordinate with staff and families, and share information for case management.
• Assessment Review: Analyze tests, histories, and evaluations to determine programming needs and maintain documentation.
• Program Coordination: Work with multidisciplinary teams to plan programming and support behavioral expectations.
• Re‑entry Support: Assist with parole preparation and community resources for reintegration.

Job description

Are you ready to use your counseling skills to guide inmates toward real, lasting change? As a Corrections Counselor 1 with the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Albion, you will play a key part in helping inmates adjust, develop new skills, and prepare for reintegration. You will support progress through advocacy, planning, and steady communication with staff and community resources. This role offers hands‑on experience in casework and rehabilitation. Your work will have a lasting influence on individual growth and future opportunities.

This position focuses on providing counseling and casework assistance to inmates as they navigate institutional and personal challenges. It requires collaboration, documentation, and teamwork to support successful adjustment and community re‑entry. As a Corrections Counselor 1, you will perform the following duties:

• Inmate Counseling:Meet with inmates to address adjustment concerns, offer support, and guide development of social and vocational skills
• Caseload Records:Prepare and maintain reports, coordinate with staff and families, and share information to support consistent case management
• Assessment Review:Analyze tests, histories, and evaluations to determine programming needs and maintain complete case documentation
• Program Coordination:Work with multidisciplinary teams to plan programming, support behavioral expectations, and participate in staffing discussions
• Re‑entry Support:Assist with parole preparation, community resources, and documentation needed for reintegration

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full‑time employment, 40 hours per week
• Work hours are 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday – Friday, with a 30‑minute lunch.
• 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.

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 Requirement:

• 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:

• 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 Requirement:

• 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.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this posting. 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.