Corrections Counselor 2

Commonwealth-of-Pennsylvania; Scranton (Lackawanna County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in Scranton is seeking a Corrections Counselor 2 to support reentrants with counseling, case management, and structured guidance aimed at successful community reintegration. The role focuses on goal setting, crisis support, orientation, skill building, and thorough case documentation, with community coordination to connect clients with local resources.

Typical schedule is full-time, with late afternoon hours and benefits.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of required counseling or correctional training, or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s degree with 18 credits in sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, or criminal justice.

Responsibilities

• Assist reentrants with employment, education, housing, and community service planning.
• Conduct assessments, provide crisis support, and refer to needed services.
• Guide reentrants through orientation activities via one-on-one discussions.
• Lead workshops promoting pro-social behavior and family reunification.
• Maintain electronic case files and document progress per PREA standards.
• Represent the center in community outreach and connect reentrants with resources.

Skills

Counseling

Case management

Communication

Crisis intervention

Community outreach

Education

Bachelor’s degree with 18 credits in sociology/counseling/psychology/social work/corrections/criminal justice

Job description

Are you interested in using your counseling skills to help reentrants make progress as a Corrections Counselor 2 for the Department of Corrections? This position blends communication, guidance, and careful planning to support successful reentry at the Scranton Community Corrections Center. You will help individuals strengthen decision-making skills and build healthy connections. This role offers a chance to make a lasting impact through encouragement and structure.

Corrections counselors help reentrants prepare for a stable and responsible return to the community through structured guidance and support. This position combines counseling, case management, and communication to encourage meaningful progress. As a Corrections Counselor 2, you will perform the following duties:

• Goal Support: Assist reentrants with employment, education, housing, and community service planning through updates to the reentry focus plan
• Crisis Intervention: Conduct assessments, provide crisis support, and make referrals to connect reentrants with needed services
• Orientation Delivery: Review case files, conduct one-on-one discussions, and guide reentrants through orientation activities
• Skill Building: Lead workshops and groups that promote pro-social behavior and support family reunification
• Case Documentation: Maintain electronic case files, document progress, and follow Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards and assessment tools
• Community Coordination: Represent the center in community outreach, attend hearings, and help connect reentrants with local resources

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
• Work hours are 12:00 PM to 8:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55.
• Free parking is included with this position.
• 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:

• Successful completion of the Corrections Counselor 1 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration) training program; or
• One year of professional counseling or casework experience in a correctional facility, and 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 one year of professional counseling or casework experience in a correctional facility and 18 college credits in any combination of sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field.

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:

• 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.

Commonwealth employees who wish to use their seniority rights must apply to the internal posting for their seniority rights to be considered.

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.