Corrections Counselor 2 - SCI Smithfield

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 65,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeks a Corrections Counselor 2 to support inmate growth, manage cases, and plan re-entry. You will interview inmates, coordinate treatment, and work with families and staff to support behavioral change and successful parole planning.

The role requires completing training and maintaining certifications, with a starting salary and benefits typical for Pennsylvania state employment, and no telework option. On-site work at SCI Smithfield is expected.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of the Corrections Counselor 1 training program or equivalent.
• One year of professional counseling or casework experience in a correctional facility with 18 college credits in sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, or related field.
• Equivalent combination of experience and training including one year of counseling or casework and 18 credits.

Responsibilities

• Inmate counseling: interview inmates, provide guidance, referrals, and support adjustment.
• Case management: maintain records, prepare reports, manage caseload information, and communicate with families and staff.
• Assessment review: analyze tests, compile histories, review evaluations, and support planning.
• Treatment coordination: plan programming with Unit Team and support behavioral goals.
• Parole preparation: assist with parole planning and secure resources for release.

Skills

Counseling

Communication

Caseload management

Professional ethics

Education

Bachelor's degree with 18 credits in related fields

Job description

As a Corrections Counselor 2 with the Department of Corrections (DOC), you will help lead inmates through important steps that support growth and responsibility. You will work with individuals as they manage concerns, build new skills, and make plans for productive re-entry. This position allows you to use your talents to boost positive behavior, improve decision-making, and support strong partnerships inside the institution. Join the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Smithfield and contribute to a team that is dedicated to guidance, progress, and long-term success.

Corrections Counselors provide structured counseling and casework services that support inmate adjustment, behavioral change, and successful re-entry planning. This position requires careful evaluation, strong communication, and coordination with staff and outside agencies.

• Inmate Counseling: Interview inmates, offer guidance, provide referrals, and support positive adjustment within the institution and community
• Case Management: Develop records, prepare reports, manage caseload information, and communicate with families, agencies, and staff
• Assessment Review: Analyze tests, compile histories, review evaluations, and maintain documentation for sentencing, planning, and re-entry
• Treatment Coordination: Work with the Unit Team to plan programming, support behavioral goals, and participate in staffing discussions
• Parole Preparation: Assist with parole planning, recommend re-entry services, and secure identification and resources for release

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

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.
• 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.

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

• 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.

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.

• 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.