Dormitory Counselor

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Johnstown (Cambria County); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeks a Dormitory Counselor at the Hiram G. Andrews Center to support students on campus and promote a safe, welcoming living environment.

Responsibilities include mentoring, supervising daily activities, and helping students navigate challenges to support rehabilitation and personal development. The role requires assessing student needs, coordinating with staff, and responding to emergencies and incidents while adhering to residency and background clearances.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience with school-age children (6–21) or adults in organized programs or a related field.
• Ability to meet PA residency requirements and pass criminal history checks.
• Must be able to perform essential job functions and work nonstandard hours.

Responsibilities

• Counsel and advise students on social, interpersonal, and adjustment concerns.
• Orient new students to dormitory life and assist with room assignments and resources.
• Tour dormitories, identify hazards, and help maintain a safe living environment.
• Monitor student conduct and document incidents as needed.
• Respond to medical, psychological, and evacuation situations.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Counseling

Crisis/behavior management

Communication skills

Job description

Dormitory Counselor at the Hiram G. Andrews Center

Start a rewarding career as a Dormitory Counselor at the Hiram G. Andrews Center. You will play an important role in creating a safe, supportive, and welcoming living environment for students. From mentoring and supervision to helping students navigate daily challenges, your work will make a meaningful difference. Bring your people skills and commitment to service to a role that helps shape student success.

As a Dormitory Counselor, you will support students living on campus by promoting safety, encouraging positive behavior, and assisting with daily residential activities. You will have the opportunity to work closely with students and staff to help maintain an environment that supports rehabilitation, learning, and personal development. In this role, you will perform the following duties:

• Student Guidance: Counsel and advise students on social, interpersonal, and adjustment concerns while referring issues for additional support when needed
• Residential Support: Orient new students to dormitory life, assist with room assignments, and help them become familiar with campus resources and routines
• Safety Monitoring: Tour dormitory and outdoor areas, identify potential hazards, and help maintain a safe and orderly living environment
• Behavior Supervision: Monitor student conduct in dormitories and other center areas and document incidents when necessary
• Emergency Response: Respond to medical, psychological, and evacuation situations and obtain assistance based on the circumstances
• Daily Operations: Complete reports, assist with student services, distribute mail, and support recreational and community-related activities

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

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment
• Irregular work hours: 7 days per week and rotating shifts. Shifts include 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, 4:00 PM to Midnight, and Midnight to 8:00 AM with a 30-minute lunch period. Overtime will be required.
• 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

• Three years of experience in working with school age children (aged 6 to 21)* or adults in an organized physical, recreational, educational, or related program; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

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

• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

This position is subject to the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement or memorandum of understanding.

You must be eligible for selection in accordance with merit system employment regulations.

Recruitment Methods

• Applicants must meet one of the following methods to be considered for this vacancy:
  • Promotion Without Exam
  • Reassignment(Only current civil service employees in the same agency who hold the same or similar job title, with the same maximum salary, within the same occupational group or where there is a logical career movement, will qualify for reassignment.)
    • Meritorious service is defined as the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher.
  • Transfer(Only current civil service employees who hold the same job title will qualify for transfer to another agency.)
    • Meritorious service is defined as the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher.
  • Voluntary Demotion
  • Reinstatement(Former civil service employees may only be reinstated to the job title from which they resigned. Current civil service employees are not eligible through reinstatement.)

Promotion Without Examination (PWOE)

• Class Restrictions for Promotion Without Examination Only - You must have or have held regular civil service status in one of the following classifications:
  • Psychiatric Aide
  • Public Health Assistant
  • Residential Services Aide
  • Security Officer 1
  • Therapeutic Activities Aide
  • We will also consider applications from current Commonwealth employees in pay scale group ST02 and ST03 for which there is a logical occupational, functional, or career developmental relationship to this position. All applicants must meet the minimum experience and training requirements.
• Employees who previously held regular civil service status in the job title of the position being filled are also eligible for promotion without examination.
• The promotion without examination requirements are issued in accordance with merit system employment regulations.
• Meritorious service is defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and (b) the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher.
• Applicants must have a minimum of one year in the next lower classes by the posting closing date with no break in service.

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.