JOB TITLE: CORRECTIONS COUNSELOR SUPERVISOR

JOB CODE: 47550

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 supervisory and advanced professional work in providing counseling and casework services to inmates or residents in a state correctional facility.

An employee in this job supervises counseling and casework services provided to inmates in a state correctional institution or residents in a community corrections center. Work involves planning and monitoring the work of corrections counselor staff; providing guidance in handling sensitive or complex cases; and coordinating with facility staff to ensure progress in treatment and reentry plans. Work includes working with individuals with exceptionally difficult behavior and adjustment problems by providing casework services; conducting individual and group counseling; and assisting inmates in solving social, economic, and emotional problems. Work performed within the Bureau includes supervising staff in the implementation of a counseling services program that provides inmates with opportunities to participate in work and educational release programs; and aids them in rebuilding social, economic, and family ties through a gradual decrease of time spent in a structured institutional environment. Supervision is exercised over professional and clerical employees. Work is reviewed by an administrative or professional superior for effectiveness through conferences, and evaluation of reports.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

     • Work is differentiated from the lower level based on the responsibility of supervising professional staff engaged in case work and counseling services work.

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.)

• Supervises and administers a counseling services program in a state correctional institution or community correctional facility by planning, organizing, and assigning work; determining work priority; setting goals; and reviewing and evaluating employees’ work performance.

• Supervises the compilation of socio-demographic histories and the development of case records which include initial medical, psychological, and psychiatric evaluations; tests and measurements; and final clinical evaluations.

• Provides intensive and extensive counseling services to inmates identified with unusually difficult behavior and adjustment problems.

• Reviews records and reports and confers with counselors to ensure appropriate and meaningful individual and group counseling services are provided to inmates during reception and throughout their entire facility assignment.

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

• Coordinates inmate treatment objectives with other institution activities and services to obtain cooperation and for the effective utilization of personnel and material resources.

• Supervises corrections counselors and participates in parole planning by making recommendations regarding furloughs, special privileges, recovery plan changes, and release to a community-based service facility.

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

• Promotes, through speaking engagements, personal contact with business and community leaders, and institutional tours, community understanding and acceptance of the institutional inmate treatment program and work and educational release program.

• Supervises and participates in assisting residents in pursuing employment opportunities, giving instruction on procedures for job application and requirements for job retention, and providing vocational and academic guidance.

• Interprets rules, regulations, policies, standards, and objectives of the facility and program for subordinates.

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

• Provides professional guidance and instruction to staff for the improvement of analytical skills in identifying meaningful progress in the implementation of recovery plans.

• Schedules and attends in-service training programs designed to improve counseling methods and techniques and develop supervisory and management skills.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• An employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• 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 medical and counseling services available in correctional facilities and the community.

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

• Ability to plan, organize, and implement a counseling services program.

• Ability to make treatment recommendations based on the analysis of socio-demographic histories; psychological and psychiatric evaluations; and medical, social, vocational, and educational data.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

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

• One year as a Corrections Counselor 2 (commonwealth title);

or

• Three years of professional experience providing casework or counseling services to adult inmates or adult clients in a social service setting, and a bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology, counseling, social work, corrections, law enforcement, or a closely related field;

or

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