Corrections Counselor 1 - SCI Somerset

About the role

As a Corrections Counselor 1 at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Somerset, you will guide individuals through challenges, support their progress, and encourage growth and re‑entry readiness. Your efforts contribute to safer communities.

Responsibilities

• Inmate Counseling: Interview inmates, assist with adjustment challenges, and provide guidance for personal, social, and vocational development.
• Casework Documentation: Develop records, maintain reports, and communicate with families, staff, and agencies about inmate progress.
• Assessment Analysis: Review tests, compile histories, and document evaluations to recommend appropriate programming.
• Treatment Coordination: Align treatment objectives with programming, activities, and expectations to support behavioral change.
• Parole Preparation: Support re‑entry planning, secure documentation, and prepare parole reports and recommendations.

Requirements

• Minimum Experience and Training: Three years and six months as a corrections officer, and 18 college credits in sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field; or a bachelor’s degree with the same credit mix; or an equivalent combination of experience and training that includes the required credits. Applicants within three months of graduating with qualifying credits are considered eligible.
• Special Requirement: Obtain Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN) and Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET) certification within two months of employment and maintain it for the duration of employment.
• Other Requirements: Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA; meet Pennsylvania residency requirements; be able to perform essential job functions.
• Legal Requirement: Pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

Pay

Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin at a starting annual salary of $56,541.00 (before taxes).

Schedule

Full‑time, 40 hours per week. Work hours are 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday – Friday, with a 30‑minute lunch.

Benefits

• Full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55.
• No telework option.