Psychological Services Specialist, DOC SCI Forest

THE POSITION

Are you eager to use your clinical knowledge to support emotional well-being and help individuals navigate difficult experiences in a correctional environment? As a Psychological Services Specialist, DOC with the Department of Corrections (DOC), you will play a key role in helping inmates build coping skills and adjust to institutional life. This position provides meaningful opportunities to advance your professional experience at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Forest. Apply today to become part of a mission that values compassion, structure, and steady guidance.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position delivers psychological services that support emotional health, treatment planning, and behavioral progress for inmates at SCI Forest. As a Psychological Services Specialist, DOC, you will perform the following duties:

• Counseling Services: Provide individual and group therapy to help inmates build coping skills and address behavioral or emotional needs
• Assessment Activities: Conduct interviews and testing to evaluate mental health needs and recommend appropriate interventions
• Interdisciplinary Coordination: Collaborate with institutional departments and outside agencies to support continuity of care
• Crisis Response: Deliver emergency psychological support to inmates experiencing acute emotional distress
• Program Support: Assist with research efforts and contribute to committees that guide mental health services within the facility
• Guidance for Interns: Provide training and oversight to psychology student interns during testing and evaluation tasks

• Full-time employment, 37.5-hour work week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55
• 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 $69,086.00 (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

• A master’s degree in psychology or a closely related field that includes fifteen graduate level credits in psychology or counseling.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credits.

• 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.

• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

• 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. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

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Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

• Eligibility rules apply.