Corrections Counselor - SCI Waymart

The Position

As a Corrections Counselor 2 with the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Waymart, you can help inmates build stronger futures. This role gives you the opportunity to encourage personal development and guide positive choices. Your work supports safer communities and meaningful rehabilitation.

This role focuses on supporting inmates as they adjust to the correctional environment, especially those who display significantly disruptive or challenging behaviors. You help them work through social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties while encouraging responsibility and dignity.

• Inmate Interviews:
  Conduct interviews to understand behavior, support adjustment, and guide inmates who struggle with institutional living.
• Case Management Records:
  Maintain detailed case files, reports, and documentation necessary for effective treatment planning and coordination.
• Counseling Methods:
  Apply casework, group, and individual counseling techniques to address social, emotional, and behavioral concerns.
• Behavioral Support:
  Assist inmates in solving personal problems and encourage positive changes in attitude and conduct.
• Treatment Coordination:
  Work with staff teams to align treatment goals, coordinate services, and support consistent behavioral expectations.
• Parole Preparation:
  Assist with reentry planning and prepare written recommendations for parole consideration.

• Full-time employment, 40 hours per week.
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday – Friday, with a 30‑minute lunch.
• This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55.
• Telework:
  Not available.
• Salary:
  Starting annual salary of $63,301.00 (before taxes) for new employees.

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Successful completion of the Corrections Counselor 1 training program; or
• One year of professional counseling or casework experience in a correctional facility, and a bachelor’s degree including 18 college credits in sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training with one year of professional counseling or casework experience in a correctional facility and 18 college credits in the same fields.

Special Requirement:

• 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.

Other Requirements:

• Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA.
• Meet PA residency requirement.
• Be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirement:

• Pass a background investigation and meet CJIS compliance requirements.

Pennsylvania law provides employment preference for qualified veterans. Learn more about employment preferences for veterans at the provided link.

Offers support for hearing and speech disabilities.

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. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as the exam for this position. The score is based on your detailed responses and is valid only for this posting.