Corrections Counselor 1 - SCI Mercer

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Findley Township (PA); On-site; USD 57,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections seeks a Corrections Counselor 1 at SCI Mercer to guide inmates through counseling, casework, and re-entry planning. You will work with inmates, staff, families, and outside agencies to support successful transitions.

This full-time position offers solid growth potential, structured training, and the chance to help individuals build better futures within a secure facility environment.

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; or a bachelor's degree including 18 credits in those fields; or an equivalent combination.
• Applicants will be considered to have met educational requirements within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.
• Special Requirements: CLEAN and JNET certification within two months and maintain certification for duration of employment.
• Other Requirements: Basic training in Elizabethtown, PA; PA residency; able to perform essential job functions.
• Legal Requirements: Pass a background check and CJIS compliance.

Responsibilities

• Basic counseling to inmates on personal, family, and community issues.
• Assist with recordkeeping, preparing records, and sharing information with staff.
• Review assessments and histories to identify inmate needs and programming.
• Coordinate activities, educational programs, counseling sessions, and services.
• Provide re-entry guidance for identification and community resources.

Education

Bachelor's degree incl. 18 credits in sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice

Three years and six months as a corrections officer with 18 college credits in related fields

Equivalent combination including 18 credits in related fields

Job description

Salary

$56,541.00 - $86,022.00 Annually

Location

Mercer County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

CS-2026-59107-47530

Department

Department of Corrections

Division

CR MER Trmt Svcs

Opening Date

09/25/2026

Closing Date

10/9/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

47530

Position Number

50325798

Union

SEIU Local 668

Bargaining Unit

F4

Pay Group

ST06

Bureau / Division Code

00114850

Bureau / Division

SCI Mercer

Worksite Address

801 Butler Pike

City

Mercer, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

16137

Contact Name

Maria Traficante

Contact Phone

717.705.9033

Contact Email

[e-mail]

THE POSITION

Start your career with the Department of Corrections (DOC) as a Corrections Counselor 1 and guide inmates as they build better futures. At the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Mercer, you will help with basic counseling, casework, and re-entry support. You will develop communication skills and learn how to work with staff, families, and outside agencies. This role provides a strong foundation for growth and long-term success.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position helps inmates adjust to the institution and prepares them for successful re-entry by supporting counseling and casework activities. As a Corrections Counselor 1, you will perform the following duties:

• Basic Counseling: Meet with inmates, listen to concerns, and offer support for personal, family, and community issues
• Recordkeeping: Assist with preparing records, updating reports, and sharing information with staff and agencies
• Information Gathering: Review basic assessments and histories to help identify inmate needs and recommended programming
• Program Support: Help coordinate activities, educational programs, counseling sessions, and other services
• Re-entry Assistance: Provide guidance for obtaining identification, understanding community resources, and preparing for parole
• General Duties: Complete additional tasks that support inmate adjustment and reintegration goals

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.

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.

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:

• 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 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.