Corrections Counselor 1

DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This role focuses on helping reentrants build the skills and confidence needed for successful reintegration into the community. You will offer guidance, support, and structured activities that promote positive change. As a Corrections Counselor 1, you will perform the following duties:

Goal Support: Assist reentrants with setting and achieving goals for employment, education, training, housing, and community service
Crisis Response: Provide crisis intervention, conduct assessments, and make referrals to needed services
Orientation Guidance: Lead orientation sessions and review case files to help reentrants understand expectations and resources
Skill Building: Conduct workshops, groups, and seminars that promote pro-social behavior and healthy relationships
Case Documentation: Maintain detailed progress records and update electronic case files for each active reentrant
Community Connection: Coordinate outreach efforts and connect reentrants to community resources and service opportunities

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
Work hours are 12:00 PM to 8:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55.
Free parking is included with this position.
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.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

Three years and six months as a corrections officer, and 18 college credits in any combination of sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field; or
A bachelor’s degree including 18 college credits in any combination of sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field; or
An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes 18 college credits in any combination of sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field.
Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credits.

Special Requirements:

You must obtain Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN) and Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET) certification within two months of employment and maintain certification for the duration of employment in this job.

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.

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.)
Voluntary Demotion

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:
Institutional Parole Assistant
We will also consider applications from current Commonwealth employees in pay scale group ST05 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.

How to Apply:

Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).