Psychological Services Specialist, Corrections - SCI Smithfield

Are you ready to take the next step in your psychology career? The Department of Corrections is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Psychological Services Specialist to join our committed psychology team. In this role, you will provide targeted psychological services to support the mental health and emotional well-being of the inmate population at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Smithfield. Our commitment is to provide critical mental health services that aim to reduce recidivism, honor the rights of victims, and promote successful reintegration into society. Join us and be a force for positive change, helping to transform the lives of individuals within our system. Apply now and make an impactful difference!

In this position, you will develop and provide counseling and therapy to inmates or inmate groups, using techniques best suited to modifying and managing their behavior. Group counseling sessions will address topics such as re-socialization, prison adjustment, offense-related behaviors, treatment goals, and specific skills like relaxation training, anger management, and sleep hygiene. Individual therapy will be offered to inmates who present significant emotional disorders and are amenable to treatment. You will conduct individual interviews and assessments to determine an appropriate course of action. Additionally, you will administer, score, and interpret selected psychological tests, and prepare initial reports on test results, intellectual abilities, and academic performance. In cases requiring specialized testing or therapy, you will refer inmates to higher-level specialists or licensed psychologists. You will also create behavior modification plans and case formulations, recommending therapeutic interventions. Collaboration with other institutional departments, agencies, and state mental health facilities will be key to providing comprehensive services to individual inmates.

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-hour work week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Tuesday - Saturday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $66,250.00 (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.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Two years as a Psychological Services Associate Corrections; 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.
• 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.

Veterans:

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

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.