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Posted: January 16, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Educational Guidance Counselor, Correction Education - SCI Mercer

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Department of Corrections

Fresh

Location

Pennsylvania, 17120

Salary

$69,156 - $112,001

per year

Closes

January 31, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job involves working as an educational counselor in a Pennsylvania state prison, where you'll guide inmates on education options, career goals, and skills for life after release, such as resume writing and job search help.

You'll assess their needs, recommend classes, and create personalized learning plans.

It's ideal for someone with counseling experience who wants to make a difference in rehabilitation and community reentry.

Key Requirements

  • Two years of professional experience in educational guidance and counseling
  • Either four years of paraprofessional experience in education, social work, or counseling, or a bachelor's degree in social sciences, behavioral sciences, education, social work, counseling, or related field
  • Equivalent combination including at least one year of professional experience in educational guidance and counseling
  • Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA
  • Meet Pennsylvania residency requirements
  • Full-time availability for 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM to 3:45 PM, no telework

Full Job Description

Begin a rewarding career while helping a diverse population!

The Department of Corrections is seeking a motivated and hardworking Educational Guidance Counselor to join our team at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Mercer.

By advising the inmates at the institution on their education options, you will help them prepare to rejoin their communities upon their release.

If you are looking forward to using your counseling experience in a new way, apply today!


Requirements

In this position, you will perform education guidance counselor duties to providing adequate academic programming to best serves each inmate.

Your work will involve providing orientation to new inmates regarding educational requirements and available programming, as well as interviewing and counseling inmates to determine educational objectives, career development, post educational goals, or higher educational goals.

You will assist inmates in resume writing, mock interviews, and job search efforts prior to reentry into the community.

Some of your duties will also include administering tests, making class placement recommendations, and reviewing inmate progress.

Additionally, you will coordinate your efforts with the rest of the educational staff to prescribe an education plan for each inmate student.


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 7:45 AM to 3:45 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: 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.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

  • Two years of professional experience in educational guidance and educational counseling, and four years of paraprofessional experience in education, social work, or counseling; or
  • Two years of professional experience in educational guidance and educational counseling, and a bachelor's degree in the social sciences, behavioral sciences, education, social work, counseling, or a closely related field; or
  • An equivalent combination of experience and training, which includes one year of professional experience in educational guidance and educational counseling.


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: 1/16/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/16/2026

    Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-pabureau-5194666