Corrections Counselor 2 - SCI Chester

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 58,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeks a Corrections Counselor 2 at the State Correctional Institution Chester to counsel inmates, support adjustment, and plan for re-entry. You will conduct interviews, manage caseloads, and coordinate services with staff to align with treatment goals.

Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday–Friday, 40 hours weekly. Starting salary is $64,574 per year with retirement benefits and certification requirements (CLEAN/JNET).

Qualifications

• Formal counseling or casework experience in a correctional setting.
• Bachelor’s degree with 18 credits in sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or related field.
• Equivalent combination of experience and training including one year of professional counseling or casework in a correctional facility and 18 college credits in related fields.

Responsibilities

• Inmate interviews to discuss behavioral or adjustment concerns and provide support.
• Case management to prepare records, maintain caseload documentation, and coordinate with staff and agencies.
• Assessment review to analyze testing data, compile histories, and maintain evaluation documentation.
• Program coordination to align counseling services with treatment goals.
• Re-entry planning to assist with parole preparation and reintegration needs.

Skills

Counseling

Case management

Interviews

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 18 credits in related fields

Job description

THE POSITION

Advance your public service career at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Chester and make a meaningful impact every day! This Corrections Counselor 2 role allows you to guide inmates through challenges and support their progress toward positive change. You will help individuals build skills, address personal concerns, and prepare for life in the community. It is an inspiring opportunity to support growth and strengthen the path toward successful re-entry.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position provides counseling and casework services that support inmate adjustment, development, and successful re-entry planning. It ensures that inmates receive guidance, resources, and structured assistance throughout their incarceration. As a Corrections Counselor 2, you will perform the following duties:

• Inmate Interviews: Discuss behavioral or adjustment concerns and provide support with personal and family issues
• Case Management: Prepare records and reports, maintain caseload documentation, and coordinate information with staff and agencies
• Assessment Review: Analyze testing data, compile histories, and maintain documentation for evaluations and planning
• Program Coordination: Work with staff to align programming, activities, and counseling services with treatment goals
• Re-entry Planning: Participate in parole preparation, secure necessary identification, and assist with reintegration needs

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 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 $64,574.00 (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

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) ; 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 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.

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.

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.