Corrections Counselor - Full-time Kittanning, PA

The County of Armstrong; Kittanning, Northern (Armstrong County, KY); Hybrid; USD 37,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Dental

Vision

Pension

Vacation & sick leave

Paid holidays

Job summary

The County of Armstrong is seeking a Corrections Counselor to provide counseling and crisis intervention for inmates at the Armstrong County Jail. You will record interviews, support re‑entry programs, and conduct classroom sessions while maintaining orderly operations and documenting cases in the OMS system.

Requirements include a BA/BS in psychology, sociology, or criminology, correctional experience or training, strong communication skills, and a PA DOC Training Certification.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, sociology or criminology or related field.
• Experience in correctional/counseling settings preferred.
• Ability to organize, instruct and work with offenders in classroom and individual settings.
• Certification of Training from PA Department of Corrections Basic Training Academy required.
• Valid PA Driver’s License required.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling/crisis intervention to inmates.
• Record each interview/session in the inmate’s treatment file.
• Facilitate programs to assist inmates in employment upon release.
• Support re‑integration programs for community re-entry.
• Conduct classroom sessions and maintain order.
• Develop treatment plans during initial inmate classification. File paperwork per 30+ day orders.
• Enter classification data into OMS; maintain organized files.
• Refer inmates to Jail Therapist/Psychiatrist as needed.
• Attend weekly classification review meetings.
• Assist with Megan’s Law paperwork and educational referrals.
• Gather documents on institutional adjustment for courts.
• Counsel inmates on personal/institutional concerns.
• Facilitate the Inmate Orientation Program.
• Refer inmates to county social services.
• Complete JNET authorization test and training as needed.
• Back‑up to Work Release/Intermittent Supervisors as required.

Skills

Counseling

Interpersonal communication

Instructing

Documentation

Education

BA/BS in psychology/sociology/criminology

PA DOC Training Certification

PA Driver’s License

Job description

This is a full-time position at 40 hours per week with a rate of $41,600.00/year.

Essential Function of This Position

• Provides counseling/crisis intervention to the inmates of the Armstrong County Jail.
• Each interview/session will be recorded in the inmate’s treatment file.
• Facilitates programs designed to assist inmates in securing employment upon release.
• Facilitates programs designed to assist inmates in re‑integration to the community.
• Conducts classroom sessions and maintains order.
• Responsible for Initial Classification of all inmates including development of treatment plans, as outlined by Title 37, for those inmates whose incarceration exceeds thirty (30) days.
• Records and enters all classification/re‑classification data into the OMS system and keeps neat and organized written files on each inmate.
• Files are stored in the Medical / Confidential Room.
• Refers inmates, as deemed necessary and appropriate, to the Jail Therapist/Psychiatrist.
• Attends weekly classification review meetings.
• Assists in the registration of Megan’s Law inmates by providing inmates with the appropriate paperwork.
• Refers inmates for educational opportunities.
• Solicits and compiles documents regarding institutional adjustment of inmates for the courts.
• Counsels inmates on personal and institutional concerns.
• Facilitates the Inmate Orientation Program.
• Refers inmates to county social service agencies.
• Successfully completes the JNET authorization test.
• Completes training as a Correctional Officer and is used as a Correctional Officer when needed per Warden.
• May be utilized as a back‑up to Work Release Supervisor/Intermittent Supervisor to help with inmate functions for inmates in work programs.

Education/Training

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in psychology, sociology, and/or criminology or a related field. Candidate must demonstrate experience in a correctional setting and/or counseling, training, or educational field. Candidate must demonstrate an ability to organize, instruct and effectively work with offenders in a classroom environment and on an individual basis. The Corrections Counselor Candidate must demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to successfully acquire a Certification of Training from the PA Department of Corrections Basic Training Academy. Must possess a valid PA Driver’s License.

Work Experience

Minimum of two years of work‑related experience is required for this position. Prior experience in counseling and/or working with incarcerated individuals preferred.

Comprehensive benefit package includes contributory healthcare, dental, vision, short‑term disability, and lump sum death benefit; contributory pension; monthly vacation and sick day accrual, 14 paid holidays.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Armstrong County considers qualified applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, ancestry, service animals, familiar status, veteran status, gender, non‑job related disability, or any other legally protected status.

For questions concerning this or any other position, please contact the Employment Coordinator at [phone].

The County of Armstrong is an equal opportunity employer. In recognition of its responsibility to its staff and the community it serves, we reaffirm our policy to assure fair and equal treatment in all of our employment practices, for all persons. We will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age or national origin, nor against any qualified individual with a disability, disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam War.