Job Description
THE POSITION Are you searching for a fulfilling profession which challenges your clinical skills and offers the chance to make a positive impact in the lives of others? The Department of Corrections (DOC) is eager to welcome an enthusiastic and driven collaborator to join our Psychology Department as a Psychological Services Specialist (PSS) at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Mahanoy . This exciting career path offers the opportunity to help individuals build skills and improve their adjustment through counseling and structured programs while working alongside a dedicated team of professionals. Join us in our mission to render the vital services necessary to ensure every reentrant has the opportunity to successfully reintegrate back into the community! DESCRIPTION OF WORK This position delivers counseling, testing, and behavioral guidance to inmates while supporting their mental health and overall adjustment within SCI Mahanoy. Primary areas of focus will include therapy, evaluations, crisis response, and coordination of mental health services across the institution. As a Psychological Services Specialist, you will perform the following duties: Therapeutic Support: Provide individual and group counseling to address behavior, adjustment, and treatment goals Assessment Duties: Conduct interviews, administer tests, and interpret results to guide treatment recommendations Service Coordination: Work with other departments and mental health facilities to support inmate care Program Guidance: Develop behavior plans, case formulations, and participate in research efforts Crisis Response: Provide professional intervention and support to inmates experiencing urgent mental health challenges Committee Participation: Serve on institutional committees and support decisions related to inmate mental health Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description . Work Schedule and Additional Information: Full-time employment, 37.5 hours/week Work hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch. Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position. Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $67,736.00 (before taxes). 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. Required Experience, Training & Eligibility QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Experience and Training Requirements: Two years as a Psychological Services Associate Corrections (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or A Master's degree in psychology or a closely related field which includes fifteen graduate level credits in psychology; and two years of experience in the field of psychology under the direct supervision of a licensed psychologist. 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.