Educational Guidance Counselor, Correction Education - SCI Phoenix

Full Job Description

Are you ready to apply your academic and vocational counseling expertise in a meaningful and rewarding career?

Do you have a passion for making a lasting impact by supporting the rehabilitation and future success of incarcerated adults?

The Department of Corrections is seeking a dedicated and highly motivated Educational Guidance Counselor, Corrections Education to join our education team.

In this vital advisory role, you will provide guidance and support to students pursuing academic and vocational programs at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Phoenix.

If you believe in the transformative power of education and are committed to fostering growth, accountability, and positive change, we encourage you to apply.

Requirements

In this position, you will provide individual and group counseling to incarcerated adults to support their enrollment in Adult Basic Education (ABE) and General Educational Development (GED) programs.

You will guide students in identifying and enrolling in vocational training opportunities that match their academic readiness, personal interests, and the programs available.

Key responsibilities include interviewing individuals to assess their educational background, goals, and appropriate placement; conducting daytime school orientations; and evaluating educational needs using various assessment tools.

Based on test results, prior education, and personal factors, you will place students into appropriate classes.

In addition, you will collaborate with instructional staff by providing preventative support and crisis intervention techniques and offer ongoing educational guidance to help individuals make informed decisions about academic and vocational pathways that match their interests, experience, and abilities.

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-hour work week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 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 $69,156.00 (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:

• 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.