Educational Guidance Counselor, Correction Education - SCI Smithfield

Full Job Description

Are you looking for an opportunity to take your educational and vocational counseling experience to the next level? Do you enjoy offering guidance and helping adult learners prepare for the future? The Department of Corrections (DOC), State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Smithfield is seeking a highly motivated Educational Guidance Counselor, Corrections Education. Our Education Department instructs rehabilitating inmates as they prepare for reentry into the community. If you want to join a team that fosters positive change through education and accountability, then we encourage you to apply today!

Requirements

As an Education Guidance Counselor, Corrections Education, you will provide individual and group educational counseling to incarcerated adults.

You will interview and guide inmates to determine their career objectives, post educational goals, and higher educational goals.

You will inform inmates about available educational programming and assist with resume writing, mock interviews, and job search efforts.

This role requires the ability to establish effective working relationships with educational staff to ensure sound educational plans, as well as a genuine desire to guide and encourage inmates to participate in programs that prepare them for reentry into the community.

In addition, you will serve as an alternate GED examiner, verify all mandated educational requirements are complete, and review inmate progress, performance, and attendance.

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 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• 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 Guidelines.
• 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.

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.

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.