Psychological Services Specialist, DOC - SCI Cambridge Springs

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Cambridge Springs (Crawford County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections seeks a Psychological Services Specialist at SCI Cambridge Springs to guide inmates through emotional growth and well-being. You will provide counseling, perform assessments, and support mental health care within the institution.

The role emphasizes compassion, professionalism, and teamwork, with responsibilities including crisis intervention, supervision of student interns, and collaboration with other departments to strengthen services

Qualifications

• 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 three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Responsibilities

• Counseling services: Provide individual and group therapy using techniques that support behavior change and emotional management
• Assessment work: Conduct interviews, administer tests, interpret results, and prepare psychological reports
• Care coordination: Consult with other departments and agencies to support delivery of mental health services
• Program support: Assist in research efforts designed to strengthen psychological services and treatment outcomes
• Intern guidance: Provide direction and practical experience to student interns completing psychological training
• Crisis response: Offer immediate intervention for inmates in assessment housing units during urgent situations

Skills

Counseling

Assessments

Care coordination

Crisis intervention

Intern supervision

Communication

Education

Master's degree in psychology or related field

Job description

Are you inspired to support positive change as a Psychological Services Specialist with the Department of Corrections? This position allows you to make a meaningful impact by guiding inmates through important steps in their emotional growth at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Cambridge Springs. You will help create a space where individuals can build skills and improve well-being. Choose a role that values compassion, professionalism, and strong commitment to mental health care.

This position focuses on providing counseling, conducting evaluations, and supporting inmates with emotional and behavioral needs. It plays a key role in promoting safe adjustment and effective treatment within the institution. As a Psychological Services Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

• Counseling Services: Provide individual and group therapy using techniques that support behavior change and emotional management
• Assessment Work: Conduct interviews, administer tests, interpret results, and prepare psychological reports
• Care Coordination: Consult with other departments and agencies to support delivery of mental health services
• Program Support: Assist in research efforts designed to strengthen psychological services and treatment outcomes
• Intern Guidance: Provide direction and practical experience to student interns completing psychological training
• Crisis Response: Offer immediate intervention for inmates in assessment housing units during urgent situations

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-hour work week
• Work hours are 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM on Sunday, and 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday - Thursday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework:You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary:In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
  • 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.

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 three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

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.
• Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA is required.
• 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).

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.