Psychological Services Specialist, DOC - SCI Mahanoy

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 62,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeks a Psychological Services Specialist, DOC, to support inmates at SCI Mahanoy with counseling, assessments, and crisis intervention in a secure correctional setting.

Responsibilities include therapy, assessments, service coordination, and research support, with a 37.5 hour work week and a fixed 9:00 AM–5:00 PM schedule. Starting salary is $69,086 plus possible licensure-based pay adjustments.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in psychology or closely related field that includes fifteen graduate level credits in psychology or counseling.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.
• Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA is required.
• You must meet the PA residency requirement.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling and group therapy addressing behavior management and emotional skill building.
• Conduct interviews, administer tests, interpret results, and prepare written evaluations.
• Coordinate with staff, agencies, and mental health facilities to support inmate treatment needs.
• Assist with studies that strengthen psychological services within the correctional system.
• Support psychology interns by demonstrating testing, scoring, and interpretation procedures.
• Provide intervention services to inmates in assessment housing during urgent situations.

Skills

Counseling

Group therapy

Assessment interviews

Crisis intervention

Education

Master's degree in psychology or related field

Job description

As a Psychological Services Specialist, DOC with the Department of Corrections, you will inspire meaningful growth by supporting emotional well‑wellness in a secure correctional environment. This role empowers you to guide inmates as they work toward greater stability and healthier coping skills. You will join a dedicated team that champions structure and positive change every day. Step into a rewarding role at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Mahanoy where your commitment helps shape lasting progress.

This position provides psychological services that support the mental health and emotional adjustment of inmates at SCI Mahanoy. As a Psychological Services Specialist, DOC, you will perform the following duties:

• Therapy Services: Provide counseling and group therapy that addresses behavior management, prison adjustment, and emotional skill building
• Assessment Work: Conduct interviews, administer tests, interpret results, and prepare written evaluations
• Service Coordination: Work with staff, agencies, and mental health facilities to support inmate treatment needs
• Research Support: Assist with studies that strengthen psychological services within the correctional system
• Intern Guidance: Support psychology interns by demonstrating testing, scoring, and interpretation procedures
• Crisis Response: Provide intervention services to inmates in assessment housing 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 hours per week
• Work hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 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 $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.

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).

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.