Psychological Services Specialist, DOC - SCI Albion

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Albion (Erie County); On-site; USD 69,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Corrections at SCI Albion seeks a Psychological Services Specialist to counsel inmates, administer tests, and coordinate with internal and external resources to support treatment programs.

The role includes conducting assessments, providing crisis intervention, and guiding student interns, within a fast-paced correctional setting, aiming to improve emotional stability and decision-making.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in psychology or a closely related field with fifteen graduate credits in psychology or counseling.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Responsibilities

• Counseling services: Provide individual and group therapy, address emotional disorders, and schedule necessary psychiatric appointments
• Psychological testing: Conduct interviews, administer tests, score results, and prepare reports on inmate capabilities and needs
• Service coordination: Work with departments, agencies, and mental health facilities to support inmate treatment and adjustment
• Research support: Assist with research studies designed to improve psychological services within the institution
• Intern guidance: Provide instruction and experience to student interns in testing, scoring, and interpretation
• Crisis response: Offer crisis intervention services and assist housing unit staff as needed

Skills

Counseling

Psychological testing

Crisis intervention

Research

Education

Master's degree in psychology (15 grad credits)

Job description

Position Details

Salary: $69,086.00 - $104,959.00 Annually

Location: Erie County, PA

Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number: CS-2026-58700-42990

Department: Department of Corrections

Division: CR ALB Trmt Svcs

Opening Date: 09/28/2026

Closing Date: 10/12/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code: 42990

Position Number: 50460354

Union: SEIU Local 668

Bargaining Unit: F4

Pay Group: ST08

Bureau / Division Code: 00111250

Bureau / Division: SCI Albion

Worksite Address: 10745 Route 18

Albion, Pennsylvania

16475

Contact Name: Maria Traficante

Contact Phone: [phone]

Contact Email: [e-mail]

THE POSITION

Become a Psychological Services Specialist, DOC with the Department of Corrections and help guide inmates as they work toward emotional stability and better decision-making. At the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Albion, you will provide counseling, testing, and crisis support in a highly structured, fast-paced correctional setting. You will collaborate with mental health teams, institutional committees, and community agencies to strengthen treatment efforts. This role gives you an opportunity to expand your skills while contributing to a more focused and productive institutional environment.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position provides counseling, testing, and mental health support to inmates while coordinating with institutional and community resources. As a Psychological Services Specialist, DOC, you will perform the following duties:

• Counseling Services: Provide individual and group therapy, address emotional disorders, and schedule necessary psychiatric appointments
• Psychological Testing: Conduct interviews, administer tests, score results, and prepare reports on inmate capabilities and needs
• Service Coordination: Work with departments, agencies, and mental health facilities to support inmate treatment and adjustment
• Research Support: Assist with research studies designed to improve psychological services within the institution
• Intern Guidance: Provide instruction and experience to student interns in testing, scoring, and interpretation
• Crisis Response: Offer crisis intervention services and assist assessment housing unit staff as needed

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

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Tuesday - Saturday, 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 $69,086.00 (before taxes).
• Additional pay will be considered for those who currently possess or obtain licensure as a Social Worker, Clinical Social Worker, or Professional Counselor issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapist and Professional Counselors. Documentation will need to be provided at interview to receive additional pay consideration.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• A master's degree in psychology or a closely related field that includes fifteen graduate level credits in psychology or counseling.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

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.

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).

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.

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.