Corrections Counselor 1 - SCI Smithfield

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania • Huntingdon County, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

As a Corrections Counselor 1 with the Department of Corrections (DOC), you will play a key role in guiding inmates toward positive change. You will support daily adjustment, encourage responsible choices, and help connect inmates with needed programs. This position provides a meaningful way to develop professional skills and serve the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Smithfield community. Step into a role where steady guidance and communication make a lasting difference. Corrections Counselors help inmates adjust to the institution by offering support, guidance, and basic casework services. This role focuses on communication, documentation, and helping inmates access programs that support positive behavior.

Requirements

• Three years and six months as a corrections officer, and 18 college credits in any combination of sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field; or A bachelor’s degree including 18 college credits in any combination of sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field; or An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes 18 college credits in any combination of sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, corrections, criminal justice, or a related field.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.
• You 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.
• Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA is required.
• You must meet the PA residency requirement.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.
• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Meet with inmates to discuss adjustment issues, concerns, and available support resources
• Maintain simple records, prepare routine reports, and document relevant information about inmate progress
• Provide information about educational, vocational, and re-entry programs, and explain how inmates may access them
• Share important updates with staff, families, and outside agencies in a clear and respectful manner
• Support positive conduct by offering feedback, discussing expectations, and reinforcing institutional rules
• Help manage routine caseload tasks, organize documents, and assist with preparation for meetings and evaluations

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level