Corrections Counselor

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes: October 26, 2026

Required documents uploaded by: October 27, 2026

Agency Information: Ellsworth Correctional Facility, 1607 State Street Ellsworth, KS 67439-0107

About the Position

• Who can apply: Those who meet the minimum qualifications (External Posting)
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Classified
• Full/Part-time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30a.m.-4:00p.m.
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans’ Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation: Pay Grade 31, Step 10; $28.59/hourly, $59,467.20/annually

* Offered salary will be determined by experience, qualifications, and skill set that the candidate brings to the position. Please contact Recruitment Coordinator for further details.

Employment Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for performing all duties through a team approach to risk management that addresses criminogenic indicators and needs. The team approach involves evaluating risk factors in order to make decisions regarding facility/cell or work assignments, referrals to services, and the level/type of supervision, and to develop comprehensive release plans for residents who are within one year of release. The work of this position requires ongoing proactive communication and interaction with offenders that is designed to apply cognitive programming to disrupt, rather than reinforce, antisocial behavior and inappropriate reactions to situations.

Job Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Manage a caseload of assigned residents. Meets with inmates/juvenile offenders to provide information concerning institutional rules, regulations, operational procedures and other information relating to the inmate/juvenile offender’s initial and continued adjustment to the institution; helps inmates learn problem solving techniques for their behavioral or social adjustment problems.
• Maintain knowledge of evidence-based practices in corrections.
• Utilize and demonstrate proficiency in risk reduction skills, including motivational interviewing and cognitive strategies. Writes progress reports on individual inmate/juvenile offenders for review by unit team supervisory personnel and the Program Management Committee for the purpose of evaluating inmate/juvenile offenders’ progress toward completion of rehabilitation programs; maintains and initiates changes in a variety of inmate/juvenile offender’s records; observes inmate/juvenile offenders to determine needs for referral to clinical services for psychiatric treatment or other supportive services.
• Maintain electronic resident files with timely and accurate documentation.
• Contribute to the cohesiveness of the Unit Team Department and the facility as a whole.

A full Position Description and required Essential/Event Driven Physical Functions for this classification can be obtained by contacting the recruiter listed below.

Qualifications

Education: High school diploma or GED

Minimum Qualifications: Four years direct experience in criminal justice, social science or behavioral sciences. Education may be substituted for some of the required experience as determined relevant by the agency.

Licensing & Certification: Valid Kansas Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications: Two years of experience working in adult corrections in addition to the Minimum Requirement or Agency Approved Substitutions.

Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements: Pass a criminal history background check and drug test.

Recruiter Contact Information

Name: Christine Orr

Email: christine.orr@ks.gov

Phone: 785-472-6295

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 107, 1607 State Street, Ellsworth, KS 67439-0107

Job Application Process

• First Sign in or register as a New User.
• Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and submit when it is complete.
• Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.

Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page

Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page, verify these documents are present and valid. Upload or delete and replace if needed:

• Educational transcripts
• DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)
• Kansas Tax Clearance certificate

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents” and “Save Tax Clearance Certificate as a PDF”

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate Required: Each applicant (even non-residents) applying for a State of Kansas job vacancy must obtain a valid Kansas Certificate of Tax Clearance by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue's website. A Tax Clearance is a comprehensive tax account review to determine and ensure that an individual's account is compliant with all primary Kansas Tax Laws. A Tax Clearance expires every 90 days. All applicants, including current state employees, are responsible for submitting a valid certificate with all other application materials to the hiring agency. This is in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact 785.472.6295.

Visit the Tax Clearance site for more information on and where to obtain this Kansas Department of Revenue document.

Selection Process: Applicants selected for an interview will be evaluated by an interview panel using performance/behavior-based interview questions. The interview panel will make recommendations to the Warden for final approval. A second interview may be conducted. Applicants will be subject to background check and criminal history investigation; must pass a drug screen and a TB test unless promoting, transferring, or demoting from another safety sensitive position within the same agency; and possess a valid Driver’s License.

E-Verify: This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the Federal Government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and complete the form.

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference
Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.
Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability, or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.