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Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist 1 - SCI Mercer

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Salary
Mercer, PA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/16/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 4/30/2026
Take your professional experience to the next level by making a tangible impact on public safety with the Department of Corrections (DOC). At the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Mercer, we are looking for a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist 1 to join our dedicated rehabilitation team. You will use your clinical expertise to conduct assessments and facilitate restorative therapy, acting as a crucial guide for inmates moving toward sustainable recovery. This role offers a chance to foster a safer community through transformative care. If you are ready to help reshape lives and build a more restorative future, apply today!


As a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist 1, you will perform entry-level professional duties focused on the rehabilitation of substance-dependent inmates. This role involves conducting initial assessments and interviews to establish preliminary programming recommendations and facilitate the development of individualized treatment and recovery plans. Some key responsibilities of the position include delivering individual and group therapy, coordinating self-help programs, and maintaining meticulous patient records. Furthermore, you will serve as a vital member of the multidisciplinary treatment team. Your goal will be to promote cognitive and behavioral changes in inmates that will support their successful reentry into the community.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

  • Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
  • Work hours are 7:30 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: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable. 
  • 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:

  • One year of para-professional experience providing drug and alcohol counseling services directly to clients in a social work setting; and certification by the PA Chemical Abuse Certification Board as a "Certified Addictions Counselor"; or
  • One year of experience as a Corrections Counselor or Social Worker (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
  • One year of professional experience providing drug and alcohol counseling services directly to clients in a social work setting and a bachelor's degree that includes 18 college credits in the behavioral sciences; or
  • A master's degree with major course work in addictions science, psychology or social work; or
  • An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 18 college credits in the behavioral sciences.
  • Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.


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 Requirement:

  • 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 dateLate 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.

Veterans:

  • 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.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 

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

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.

  • 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.

Salary : $55,436 - $84,332

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