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Posted: April 1, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Psychological Services Associate, Corrections - SCI Mercer

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Department of Corrections

Fresh

Location

Pennsylvania, 17120

Salary

$63,301 - $96,225

per year

Closes

April 16, 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 in a Pennsylvania prison to provide mental health support, therapy, and assessments to inmates, helping them address emotional needs during their time behind bars.

You'll create treatment plans, run group and individual sessions, and conduct tests under the guidance of a licensed psychologist.

It's a great fit for someone with a psychology background who wants to make a real difference in rehabilitation and enjoys team-based work in a structured environment.

Key Requirements

  • Master's degree in psychology or related field with 15 graduate credits in areas like counseling, rehabilitation, or human development
  • Within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree to be eligible
  • Ability to provide individualized mental health treatment and education to inmates
  • Skills in planning outpatient services, developing recovery plans, and administering psychological and intelligence tests
  • Experience conducting mental status exams and preparing psychological assessments
  • Competence in delivering individual and group therapy for inmates with mental illnesses, sex offenses, or dual diagnoses
  • Full-time availability for 40-hour workweek (10 AM to 6:30 PM, Monday-Friday) with no telework option

Full Job Description

Are you ready to take the next step in your psychology career by providing individualized treatment and education to rehabilitating offenders? The Department of Corrections (DOC), State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Mercer is seeking a highly motivated Psychological Services Associate, Corrections to join our Psychology Department. This is a rewarding opportunity to showcase your mental health and emotional health service skills. If you want to make a lasting impact by delivering essential therapeutic treatment to inmates and work with a professional team that makes a difference every day, then we encourage you to apply today!

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Requirements

As a Psychological Services Associates (PSA), Corrections, you will receive direct clinical supervision from the Licensed Psychologist Manager and provide psychological services to inmates.

You will help ensure that individual mental health and general emotional needs are efficiently and effectively addressed during incarceration.

You will also plan and organize outpatient mental health and psychological services, develop Individual Recovery Plans, and administer psychological tests and intelligence tests.

This role requires solid treatment skills to conduct mental status examinations and prepare psychological assessments.

You will play a vital role administering both individual and group treatment for offenders diagnosed with mental illnesses, convicted of sex offenses, and dually diagnosed.


Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.


Work Schedule and Additional Information:

  • Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
  • Work hours are 10:00 AM to 6:30 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: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
  • Additional pay will be considered for those who currently possess or obtain licensure as a Social Worker, Clinical Social Worker, or Professional Counselor issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapist and Professional Counselors.

    Documentation will need to be provided at interview to receive additional pay consideration.

  • 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:

  • A Master's degree in psychology or a closely related field, which includes fifteen graduate level credits in psychology, counseling, educational counseling, rehabilitation, human development, learning, or motivation.
  • Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.


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.

    Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes

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    Posted on NEOGOV: 4/1/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 4/1/2026

    Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-pabureau-5285903