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Posted: January 20, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Corrections Counselor 1 - SCI Dallas

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Department of Corrections

Fresh

Location

Pennsylvania, 17120

Salary

$55,436 - $84,332

per year

Closes

February 4, 2026

SES Pay Grade

Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900

Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves working as a counselor in a Pennsylvania state prison, where you'll help inmates adjust to life behind bars, solve personal and family issues, and prepare them for life after release through counseling, skill-building, and referrals to community resources.

It's a full-time role with regular office hours, no remote work, and focuses on making a real difference in people's lives.

A good fit would be someone with a background in counseling or social services who is motivated to work in a correctional environment and enjoys guiding others toward positive change.

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field, or equivalent combination including 18 college credits in these areas
  • Three years and six months as a corrections officer plus 18 relevant college credits, or within three months of meeting educational requirements
  • Obtain and maintain CLEAN and JNET certifications within two months of employment
  • Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA
  • Ability to provide counseling, case management, and referrals for inmates' social, educational, and vocational needs
  • Experience in interviewing, assessing aptitude tests, and developing records/reports for caseload management
  • Participation in parole planning and re-entry recommendations

Full Job Description

Embark on an exciting career while using your experience in counseling!

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our treatment team at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Dallas!

By becoming a Corrections Counselor 1, you will have a positive impact on the lives of inmates by providing them with counseling and helping them adjust to the institution.

Apply today to begin an exciting opportunity and make a difference in the lives of others!


Requirements

In this position, you will provide counseling services and casework management to inmates at SCI Dallas.

Your work will involve interviewing inmates to facilitate their institutional adjustment, assist with issues that are inherent in a correctional setting, and provide encouragement.

This may sometimes involve consultation in resolving personal and family problems and providing referrals and guidance for inmates to develop social, educational, and vocational skills that are necessary to make a positive re-entry into the community.

You will also help inmates obtain information regarding employment opportunities, procedures for job applications and retention, and availability of community resources.

As a counselor, you will develop, maintain, and present records and reports for managing an inmate caseload.

You can expect to analyze aptitude and interest tests, then utilize assessments to determine recommended programming.

Additionally, you will participate in parole planning and make recommendations on re-entry services.


Work Schedule and Additional Information:

  • 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: 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 $55,436.00 (before taxes).
  • You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

  • 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 in sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field; or
  • An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 18 college credits in 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 three months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credits.


Special Requirement:

  • All employees 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:

  • 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.
  • 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.


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.

  • 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.

    Additional 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.

    Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes

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    Posted on NEOGOV: 1/20/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/20/2026

    Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-pabureau-5198388