Prison Counselor-E 9-P11
State of Michigan
FreshPosted Feb 20
Recent Listing
Posted: February 11, 2026 (10 days ago)
This job has been posted for 1-2 weeks. Still a good time to apply.
PRISON COUNSELOR
State of Michigan
Corrections - Woodland Center Correctional Facility
Location
Michigan, 48909
Salary
$26 - $35.85
per hour
Type
Full-Time
More Education & Training jobs →Closes
February 20, 2026
Job Description
Summary
This job involves working as a counselor in a Michigan state prison, helping inmates with their questions, managing daily operations in a housing unit alongside officers and supervisors, and assessing how well inmates are progressing in treatment programs.
It's a team-based role focused on supporting prisoner rehabilitation and maintaining a safe environment.
A good fit would be someone with a background in social services or criminal justice who is patient, communicative, and comfortable in a high-stress correctional setting, especially veterans given the department's support for military members.
Key Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, correctional administration, criminology, psychology, social work, counseling and guidance, child development, sociology, school social work, social work administration, family relations, human services, or theology
- For Prison Counselor 9: One year of Department of Corrections experience or equivalent experience in roles like Assistant Resident Unit Supervisor, Corrections Shift Supervisor, or Corrections Officer
- For Prison Counselor 10: One year of professional experience providing prison counseling services equivalent to Prison Counselor 9
- For Prison Counselor P11: Two years of professional experience providing prison counseling services, including one year equivalent to Prison Counselor 10
- Ability to evaluate prisoner behavior and progress in treatment programs according to policy
- Experience working as part of a housing unit team with corrections officers, sergeants, and resident unit managers
Full Job Description
The Michigan Department of Corrections is proud to be a Michigan Veteran's Affairs Agency (MVAA) Gold Level Veteran Friendly Employer.
MDOC is proud to employ nearly 1,500 veterans and actively serving military members across the department.
The Department has many benefits and services available to support our military and veteran employees, spouses, and families.
Learn more about what makes MDOC a Gold-Level Veteran Friendly Employer here.
Position functions as a professional prison counselor in a prison housing area.
This position requires completing a variety of functions related to case work and assisting prisoners with questions they may have and to act as a resource person for the prisoner population as well.
The person is a member of the Housing Unit Administrative Team and works also with the RUM, Sgt’s, and Housing Unit Corrections officers to manage a housing unit and its’ operations.
This position also evaluates prisoner’s behavior to determine progress made through treatment programs in accordance with policy and procedure.
Requirements
Education
Possession of a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, correctional administration, criminology, psychology, social work, counseling and guidance, child development, sociology, school social work, social work administration, family relations, human services, or theology.
Experience
Prison Counselor 9
No specific type or amount is required.
Prison Counselor 10
One year of professional experience providing prison counseling services equivalent to a Prison Counselor 9.
Prison Counselor P11
Two years of professional experience providing prison counseling services equivalent to a Prison Counselor, including one year equivalent to a Prison Counselor 10.
Qualifications
Prison Counselor 9
Possession of a bachelor's degree in any major and one year of Department of Corrections' experience.
OR
OR
Education level typically acquired through the completion of high school and one year as an Assistant Resident Unit Supervisor 11 or Corrections Shift Supervisor 11; or, two years as a Corrections Field Services Assistant E10, Corrections Medical Unit Officer E10, Corrections Resident Representative E10, Corrections Security Representative E10, Corrections Transportation Officer E10, Resident Unit, Officer E10, or Special Alternative Incarceration Officer E10; or, three years as a Corrections Medical Officer E9 or Corrections Officer E9.
Additional Information
View the entire job specification at: https://www.michigan.gov/mdcs/-/media/Project/Websites/mdcs/JOBSPECS/P/PrisonCounselor.pdf
The Department of Corrections will not hire individuals who have been convicted of a felony or who have felony charges pending, in accordance with Public Act 140 of the Public Acts of 1996.
The Department of Corrections may screen out job applicants who have been convicted of a felony in accordance with Public Act 191 of 2017. Applicants who have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony are ineligible for employment with the Department of Corrections until satisfactory completion of any sentence imposed, including parole or probation.
**** REQUIRED INFORMATION: Employment in the state classified service demands a high degree of loyalty and imposes high ethical standards on employees to ensure the integrity of state government and maintain effective services. All employees must meet these ethical standards and all appointing authorities are obligated to enforce these ethical standards.
As part of this effort all employees are required to report any possible conflict of interest, please review the information and be prepared to respond to questions related to the information in your application.
Ethical Standards and Conduct (Note: you do not need to fill out the form) READ CAREFULLY -- TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE POSITION WE ARE ASKING YOU TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
- Apply for this position online via NEOGOV; click on "Apply" in the job posting for instructions on submitting your electronic application. Hard copy applications are not accepted.
- Attach a resume identifying specific experience and dates of employment. Dates of employment should include month and year and hours per week.
- If applicable/You would like credit for your education, attach a copy of an official transcript(s).
- You must provide at least three professional references and their contact information to include phone number, address, email address and fax number.
- Current MDOC employees must include their current supervisor as one of three professional references.
Your education listed cannot be used to credential review you for a position unless a copy of an OFFICIAL transcript confirming your education is attached to your electronic application.
We accept scanned copies of official transcripts. We do not accept web-based, internet, or copies of unofficial transcripts.
Official transcripts provide the name of the institution, confirmation that a degree was awarded and on what date, and the registrar's signature.
Failure to complete any of the above items may result in your application not being considered. Your application for any position does not guarantee you will be contacted by the department/agency for further consideration. Only those applicants interviewed will be notified of the results.
New hires to the MDOC along with previous MDOC employees that are returning after being away from the department for more than two years will complete Non-Custody New Employee Training (NCNET) either 40 hours or 80 hours of initial in-person training based on their level of offender contact and job classification.
All new employees will complete additional online training to successfully complete their non-custody new employee training.
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