JOB TITLE: CORRECTIONS COUNSELOR 1

JOB CODE: 47530

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Corrections Counselor job series describes professional work performing case work and counseling services for the Department of Corrections.

DEFINITION: This is beginning level professional work in providing counseling and casework services to inmates or residents in a state correctional facility.

An employee in this job provides counseling to inmates at a state correctional institution or residents in a community corrections center. Work involves utilizing casework, group, or individual counseling methods and techniques to help individuals adjust to institutionalized living or transition from a structured supervised institutional environment to a less structured community setting. Work includes assisting inmates or residents in solving social, economic, and emotional problems; and enabling them to develop a sense of dignity and responsibility. Supervision is received from a professional or administrative supervisor, and work is reviewed for effectiveness through observation, conferences, and evaluation of results.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

•Provides individual and group counseling services to inmates during reception and through their entire facility assignment, to include providing ongoing risk and needs assessments.

•Assists community corrections center residents, through individual counseling and group therapy, in the transition from a structured supervised institutional environment to a less structured environment.

•Administers aptitude and interest tests.

•Compiles individual socio-demographic histories.

•Maintains case records, including initial medical, psychological, and psychiatric evaluations; tests and measurements; and final clinical evaluations.

•Resolves, through the support team, problems related to the implementation of individualized recovery plans, including housing, academic and vocational training, job placement, and social and behavioral adjustments.

•Participates in parole planning and makes recommendations regarding furloughs, special privileges, recovery plan changes, and release to a community corrections center.

•Promotes, through speaking engagements, personal contact with business and community leaders, and facility tours, community understanding and acceptance of the institutional inmate treatment program and the resident and non-resident community corrections program.

• Assists inmates or residents in pursuing employment opportunities, provides instruction on job application procedures, and conveys job retention requirements.

• Provides assistance in resolving personal and family problems, utilizing leisure time in recreation and entertainment, and managing finances.

• Applies rules for eligibility and continued assignment to a community corrections center.

• Provides information regarding availability of medical and social services through community and other state and local government agency sources.

• Provides assistance in continuity of care planning to facilitate successful reentry of returning citizens.

• Attends scheduled in-service training programs designed to improve counseling methods and techniques and develop administrative skills.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of counseling and casework methods and techniques.

• Knowledge of individual and group behaviors.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Ability to analyze and interpret written information.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• Three years and six months as a corrections officer, and 18 college credits in sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field;

or

• A bachelor’s degree in sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 18 college credits in sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

• All employees must obtain Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN) and Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET) certification within two months of employment and maintain certification for the duration of employment in this job.