Corrections Counselor 1 - SCI Albion

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's State Correctional Institution Albion seeks a Corrections Counselor 1 to guide inmates toward change, provide counseling, manage casework, and support reintegration.

You will work 40 hours per week, typically 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with no telework option. A background check and CJIS compliance are required for employment with the department of corrections.

Qualifications

• Three years and six months as a corrections officer, or a bachelor’s degree with 18 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.
• Applicants will be considered to meet educational requirements within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credits.

Responsibilities

• Inmate Counseling: Meet with inmates to address adjustment concerns and develop social and vocational skills.
• Caseload Records: Prepare and maintain reports; coordinate with staff and families for case management.
• Assessment Review: Analyze tests and histories 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 connection to community resources.

Skills

Counseling

Casework

Documentation

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree with 18 credits in social sciences/colicy-related fields

Three years and six months corrections officer experience OR equivalent

Equivalency with 18 college credits in related fields

Job description

THE POSITION

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.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

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

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

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.

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.