Psychological Services Specialist, DOC - SCI Somerset

Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania; Somerset (Somerset County); On-site; USD 69,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – Department of Corrections, SCI Somerset, seeks a Psychological Services Specialist to support inmates’ emotional health through counseling, assessments, and coordinated treatment planning.

Requires a master’s degree in psychology with 15 graduate credits in psychology or counseling; full-time, 37.5 hours weekly, on-site in Somerset, PA. Salary ranges from $69,086 to $104,959 annually, with licensure-related pay increases possible.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in psychology or a closely related field with 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/credits.
• Must meet PA residency requirement and be able to perform essential job functions.

Responsibilities

• Counseling Services: Provide individual and group therapy using techniques that support behavior change
• Assessment Work: Conduct interviews, administer tests, and prepare psychological reports and recommendations
• Service Coordination: Collaborate with departments and agencies to support inmate treatment needs
• Research Support: Assist with studies designed to strengthen psychological service programs
• Intern Guidance: Offer direction to student interns in testing, scoring, and interpretation tasks
• Crisis Response: Deliver crisis intervention services to inmates in assessment housing units

Skills

Counseling

Assessment

Crisis intervention

Interdisciplinary work

Education

Master's degree in psychology or closely related field with fifteen graduate level credits in psychology or counseling

Job description

Salary

$69,086.00 - $104,959.00 Annually

Location

Somerset County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

CS-2026-58540-42990

Department

Department of Corrections

Division

CR SMR Trmt Svcs

Opening Date

09/14/2026

Closing Date

9/27/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

42990

Position Number

00196183

Union

SEIU Local 668

Bargaining Unit

F4

Pay Group

ST08

Bureau / Division Code

00116650

Bureau / Division

State Correctional Institution at Somerset

Worksite Address

1590 Walters Mill Road

City

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

19426

Contact Name

Corleen Schmucker

THE POSITION

Are you ready to support meaningful change through dedicated psychological services? As a Psychological Services Specialist, DOC at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Somerset, you will play an important role in guiding inmates toward better emotional stability. This position gives you the chance to provide counseling, conduct assessments, and support therapeutic programs. Your efforts will help promote growth, resilience, and positive change.

Step into a position where your skills support individual progress and institutional safety-apply today!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position provides psychological services that support the emotional health and behavioral adjustment of inmates at SCI Somerset. The role requires strong clinical skills to deliver counseling, conduct assessments, coordinate services, and contribute to treatment planning.

As a Psychological Services Specialist, DOC, you will perform the following duties:

• Counseling Services: Provide individual and group therapy using techniques that support behavior change


• Assessment Work: Conduct interviews, administer tests, and prepare psychological reports and recommendations


• Service Coordination: Collaborate with departments and agencies to support inmate treatment needs


• Research Support: Assist with studies designed to strengthen psychological service programs


• Intern Guidance: Offer direction to student interns in testing, scoring, and interpretation tasks


• Crisis Response: Deliver crisis intervention services to inmates in assessment housing units

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, Sunday - Thursday, with a 30-minute lunch.


• This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55.


• 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/credits.

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 Requirement:

• 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.

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.