Corrections Counselor 1 - SCI Mercer

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

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections at SCI Mercer seeks a Corrections Counselor 1 to guide inmates toward better futures. You'll perform basic counseling, casework, and re-entry support while collaborating with staff, families, and external agencies.

This role builds foundational skills, involves documenting records, coordinating programs, and assisting with re-entry planning, with a strong focus on inmate rehabilitation and community reintegration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree including 18 college credits in sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or related field; or
• 3 years 6 months as a corrections officer with 18 credits in related fields; or
• Equivalent combination of experience and training with 18 credits in related fields.

Responsibilities

• Provide basic counseling to inmates, addressing personal, family, and community issues.
• Assist with recordkeeping, updating reports, and sharing information with staff and agencies.
• Review assessments and histories to identify inmate needs and recommended programs.
• Coordinate activities, educational programs, counseling sessions, and other services.
• Provide re-entry guidance for identification and resources for parole.
• Perform additional duties supporting inmate adjustment and reintegration.

Skills

Counseling

Recordkeeping

Communication

Case management

Education

Bachelor's degree with 18 credits in sociology/psychology/social work/corrections

3.5 years as corrections officer or equivalent

Job description

$56,541.00 - $86,022.00 Annually

Mercer County, PA

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

CS-2026-59107-47530

Department of Corrections

CR MER Trmt Svcs

09/25/2026

10/9/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

47530

50325798

SEIU Local 668

F4

ST06

00114850

SCI Mercer

801 Butler Pike

Mercer, Pennsylvania

16137

Contact Name

Maria Traficante

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.

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.