Counselor I

The Counselor I is the inmate’s primary contact in formulating a strong re-entry plan which includes participation in institutional programs and jobs. This position will serve as a liaison between the inmate and outside agencies such as the Public Defender, Adult Probation/Parole, District Attorney, Clerk of Courts, Domestic Relations, etc.  
 

• Maintain inmate caseload (e.g., answer inmate requests, process pre-release and work release job applications and institutional work applications).
• Handle inmate account activities.
• Initiate and resolve separation orders.
• Maintain security classifications of inmates.
• Distribute indigent packages.
• Handle inmate property releases.
• Coordinate visits, notary duties, inmate payroll, and emergency phone calls to friends and family.
• Distribute legal mail.
• Handle money orders, postage and mailing procedures, and guilty plea submissions to District Justices.
• Generate county parole petitions, state parole summaries, and numerous other legal documents, as needed, to expedite inmate litigation activities. 
• Respond to inquiries from outside agencies (such as private attorneys, public defenders, district attorney, parole officers, clerks of court, domestic relations, child youth and family services, bail agencies, court administrators, district justices, immigration).
• Prepare legal documents for discharge agencies (e.g., good time summary sheets, county parole petitions, state parole summaries, interstate agreements, extradition forms, pre-sentence investigation reports).
• Adhere to legislative acts (e.g., Act 84, Exchange of Information; Act 27, Collection of Fees; Act 26, Notification to victims who have protection from abuse orders; Act 155, crime victims notification; Act 14, DNA collection; Act 24, sexual offense registration; Act 33, Juvenile Act; Act 143, Victim awareness).
• Design and implement treatment plans.
• Provide referrals to treatment programs such as GED, help counseling, anger and stress management, thresholds, AA, parenting, juvenile education, and mental health.
• Coordinate volunteer program activities within institution.
• General office duties (e.g., faxing documents, writing letters, creating and implementing computer programs), copying documents, filing and recordkeeping.
• Replace uniform security officers in areas of daily operations (e.g., transporting inmates, staffing workstations).
• Provide testimony at court appearances concerning policies and procedures of Chester County Prison.
• Perform other duties, tasks and special projects, as required.

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• One-year certificate from a college or technical school or six months of related experience and/or training.
• Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Basic Training Certificate.
• Pennsylvania Child Abuse History clearance.
• CPR and First Aid certification.
• Ability to work independently and proceed with objectives.
• Ability to maintain confidential information and handle confidential matters.
• Strong professional ethics.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle and resolve recurring problems.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Exhibits sound and accurate judgement.
• Strong customer service experience and skills.
• Ability to treat others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
• A valid driver’s license is required.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or two years of correctional experience.
• Experience in the criminal justice field.
• Knowledge of Pennsylvania Department of Corrections PA Code Title 37.
• Knowledge of Pennsylvania Work Release Statute 42.
• Ability to establish priorities.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Easily adapts to changes in the work environment.
• Ability to establish priorities.
• Ability to use common sense understanding to carry out written or verbal instructions.
• Demonstrates integrity and honesty.

Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.

Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have:

• Basic to Intermediate Word skills
• Basic to Intermediate Excel skills
• Basic to Intermediate Access skills
• Basic Microsoft Outlook skills (Email and Calendar)

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, climb stairs, and talk or hear.  Occasionally, the employee will need to stand and walk; bend at the waist or work bent at the waist; operate machinery; drive a vehicle; and be exposed to an uncommon level of noise.  On rare occasions, the employee will need to reach above shoulder height; kneel, stoop, crouch or squat; climb ladders; push, lift or carry items; and taste or smell.
The special vision requirements listed for this position are:

• Close and distant visual monitoring of inmates.
• Visual activity to accurately read files and computer screen.

Work Environment:

• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
• Ninety percent of the workday is spent inside, consisting of direct or indirect contact with individuals who have been convicted of criminal offenses.
• May be exposed to individuals who have various communicable diseases (i.e., TB, Hepatitis).

Other:

• Ability to work extended hours, as necessary.
• This position requires professionalism.
• Confidentiality is crucial to this position.