Corrections Counselor 1 - SCI Somerset

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

Benefits offered by this job

Full retirement benefits at age 50 or

Equal employment opportunity

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is seeking a Corrections Counselor 1 at SCI Somerset to guide inmates through challenges and support their progress toward productive futures. You will conduct interview-based counseling, build case plans, and coordinate reintegration efforts with staff and families.

The role emphasizes treatment coordination, parole preparation, and collaboration to promote safer communities. Full-time, no telework, with comprehensive retirement benefits.

Qualifications

• Three years and six months as a corrections officer with 18 college credits in related fields.
• Bachelor's degree with 18 college credits in sociology, counseling, psychology, or related field.
• Equivalent combination of experience and training with 18 credits in related fields.
• Eligible to graduate within 3 months of completing qualifying degree/credits.

Responsibilities

• Interview inmates and provide guidance for personal, social, vocational development.
• Develop records, maintain reports, communicate with families and staff about inmate progress.
• Review tests, compile histories, document evaluations for programming.
• Align treatment objectives with programming and expectations to support behavioral change.
• Support re-entry planning and prepare parole reports.

Skills

Counseling

Casework

Assessment

Parole preparation

Education

Bachelor's degree including 18 credits

18 college credits in social sciences

Equivalent combination of experience/education with 18 credits

Job description

Salary

$56,541.00 - $86,022.00 Annually

Location

Somerset County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

CS-2026-58098-47530

Department

Department of Corrections

Division

CR SMR Trmt Svcs

Opening Date

09/10/2026

Closing Date

9/23/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

47530

Position Number

00215351

Union

SEIU Local 668

Bargaining Unit

F4

Pay Group

ST06

Bureau / Division Code

00116650

Bureau / Division

State Correctional Institution at Somerset

Worksite Address

1590 Walters Mill Road

City

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

15510

Contact Name

Corleen Schmucker

Contact Phone

717.562.5736

Contact Email

[e-mail]

THE POSITION

Are you ready to support positive change and help individuals move toward productive futures? As a Corrections Counselor 1 at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Somerset, you will guide individuals through challenges and support their progress. Each day offers a chance to encourage growth and strengthen re-entry readiness. Be a part of a team where your efforts contribute to safer communities-apply today!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position provides counseling and casework services that support inmate adjustment, personal growth, and re-entry preparation. The work includes reviewing assessments, coordinating plans, and communicating with staff and families to promote effective reintegration. As a Corrections Counselor 1, you will perform the following duties:

• Inmate Counseling: Interview inmates, assist with adjustment challenges, and provide guidance for personal, social, and vocational development
• Casework Documentation: Develop records, maintain reports, and communicate with families, staff, and agencies about inmate progress
• Assessment Analysis: Review tests, compile histories, and document evaluations to recommend appropriate programming
• Treatment Coordination: Align treatment objectives with programming, activities, and expectations to support behavioral change
• Parole Preparation: Support re-entry planning, secure documentation, and prepare parole reports and recommendations

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.
• This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary:Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $56,541.00 (before taxes).
• 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 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.