Correctional Counselor, Entry Level Option (Salem)

Initial Posting Date: 02/12/2025 Application Deadline: 02/26/2025 Agency: Department of Corrections Salary Range: $6,429 - $8,929 Position Type: Employee Position Title: Correctional Counselor, Entry Level Option (Salem) Job Description: Correctional Counselor, Entry Level Option (Salem) Oregon State Penitentiary (Salem) Oregon Department of Corrections Do you have experience working with clients to break down the barriers that are impeding positive change? If so, we are expanding our team and seek an experienced professional case manager like you. This employment opportunity is with the Correctional Services Division of the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) at the Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) in Salem, Oregon. Candidates who do not meet the minimum qualifications for the Correctional Counselor may be considered as an underfill in the Entry Correctional Counselor classification. An underfill must meet the minimum qualifications for the lower classification and would receive the pay in accordance with the lower classifications salary range until they meet the minimum qualification for the full position. At that time the successful candidate would be moved to the higher classification and salary range. The salary range for the underfill is: $5,104- $6,411. Preference may be given to candidates who can meet the full qualifications. About the Job ? Your Role Your primary duties are to set the stage for rehabilitation and elicit motivation for change in each Adult in Custody (AIC) from the beginning of their incarceration. You are responsible for conducting daily interviews and assessments on a one-on-one basis for AICs at the institution. This includes conducting assessments, risk/needs evaluations, and file reviews to determine custody classification and gate clearance, which directly influence population management decisions. You will provide intensive and intermediate case management for AICs based on their risk to recidivate and special needs. This comprehensive case management system ensures that resources are focused on AIC success by identifying the right needs, utilizing the right interventions, and managing AICs at the appropriate level of case management. Additionally, you would provide basic services to low-risk AICs, ensuring a broad and effective range of support across all risk levels. As the core correctional resource for case management, you would play a central role in the multi-disciplinary team approach within the institution. This collaborative approach fosters rapport-building across various program disciplines, resulting in a holistic, systems-based model for working with each individual AIC. By focusing on rehabilitation and supporting each AIC?s success, you would contribute to both individual and institutional safety, while working toward reducing recidivism and supporting a successful reintegration into society. This position is represented by Association of Oregon Corrections Employees, (AOCE). This position may be eligible for Police & Fire (P&F) benefits through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), as defined by statute. Minimum Qualifications Your application materials will be reviewed to verify that you have: Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science, criminal justice or related field with major coursework in behavioral science; AND have two (2) years of professional counseling experience working with clientele in a social service or rehabilitative program; OR Three (3) years of experience in a social service, rehabilitative, or correctional program with primary responsibility for guiding and/or counseling individuals or groups in the solution of occupational, educational, personal, or social problems AND two (2) years of professional counseling experience working with clientele in a social service or rehabilitative program; OR Master's degree in a behavioral science AND one year of professional counseling experience working with clientele in a social service or rehabilitative program Experience in any security series position in and of itself does not substitute for the required minimum qualifications. NOTE: Professional counseling experience must include providing supportive counseling to clients on a one-to-one basis with full responsibility for developing and managing each case plan. Entry Level/Underfill Minimum Qualifications: Three (3) years of experience in a social service, rehabilitative, or correctional program with primary responsibility for guiding and/or counseling individuals or groups in the solution of occupational, educational, personal, or social problems; OR a Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science or a related field with major courses in behavioral science; OR an Associate degree in social services such as Mental Health, Human Service, or Social Service AND one (1) year of the required experience. Experience in any security series position in and of itself does not substitute for the required minimum qualifications. NOTE: Professional counseling experience must include providing supportive counseling to clients on a one-to-one basis with full responsibility for developing and managing each case plan. Requested Skills Caseload Management experience; Knowledge of Department of Corrections systems; Ability to hold adults in custody accountable in appropriate manner; Strong personal boundaries; Willingness to learn from others; A belief that people can change; displays an attitude that conveys dignity and respect in the treatment of others; Ability to be part of a team and maintaining positive, respectful, and productive work environment; Ability to form collaborative and productive partnerships with a diverse set of stakeholders; Adaptable and open to change; flexible and solution oriented; Demonstrates good communication and writing skills; Be self-directed and motivated; Preferred Skills: Ability to work with adults in custody; In the Work Experience section of your application make sure to include the dates and duties of all relevant positions and details to support how you meet these attributes. If you do not include education or work experience meeting the minimum qualifications, you will not be considered for the position. Only the candidates whose experience most closely matches the qualifications and requested skills of this position will be invited to interview. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on or before the job posting close date. Working Conditions This position works inside a secure adult correctional facility with daily interactions with adults in custody. The employee is responsible to prevent escapes from confinement by proper control of keys, tools, and contraband and documenting unusual incidents as they occur. This position may encounter abusive adults in custody who pose the risk of physical injury. In the event of an emergency, this employee is subject to call back at which time the employee could be placed in any post in administration or an institution. The Institution is exposed to temperature extremes and inclement weather. The employee may be required to perform duties outside in the inclement weather and temperature extremes. Walking long distances to get to the workstation or to perform work will be required. Most adult in custody housing units are two levels requiring the use of stairs to reach the second level. All employees are required to use a computer for E-Mail, word processing and related adult in custody information systems in the regular performance of their duties. About the Department The Oregon Department of Corrections is responsible for over 12,000 adults in custody in 12 state prisons throughout Oregon. It advises and evaluates counties regarding administration of probation and parole programs supervising more than 24,000 offenders in Oregon communities. The mission is to promote public safety by holding offenders accountable for their actions and reducing the risk of future criminal behavior. The Oregon Department of Corrections serves a diverse and changing population of people who are incarcerated and on supervision. We commit to creating an organization both reflecting the diversity of the population we serve and ensuring all employees thrive in a culture of safety, trust, and belonging. We strive to be an anti-racist corrections system. Welcoming, inclusive, and respectful of all people. Free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. The Department offers a variety of programs and opportunity to create a safe and healthy environment to for our staff, volunteers, and adults in custody. Joining the Oregon Department of Corrections is joining a team working for the benefit of our communities through innovative and proven correctional practices. Benefits The salary range listed above is for non-PERS qualifying applicants. PERS qualifying applicants may be eligible for an adjusted range to reflect an additional 6.95%. The State of Oregon provides a generous benefit package, which includes: Family health, vision, and dental insurance Vacation, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays 21 days paid military leave for national guard and reserve components Optional short and long-term disability Term life insurance Fully paid retirement program Oregon Saving Growth Plan Flexible spending accounts for health and childcare And more About the Process ? What to Expect After the application deadline, a recruiter will review submissions for education and experience to identify candidates who best fit the minimum qualifications and requested skills. Top candidates will be referred to the hiring manager. The hiring manager will review your application and schedule interviews. Interview will be held with a panel of stakeholders who have completed panel assessment training. Scores will be determined based on predetermined questions and scoring guides. Preferences points will be applied in compliance with relevant laws and bargaining agreements. There may be multiple rounds of interviews. Final candidates will have a background check, PREA check, and reference checks. A Classification and Compensation analyst will review the Workday Application of the successful candidate to determine starting wages. Learn more about Equal Pay. A job offer will be extended through Workday to the successful candidate. Congratulations, and welcome to the team! Requirements for Employment The successful candidate for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility. Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, there may be some felony convictions that could disqualify you for this position. However, having a felony record does not exclusively restrict you from being considered as an applicant. CJIS clearance is done at the conditional job offer. If you have questions about whether or not your criminal record could disqualify for you, please contact the recruiter for more information. Additional Information ? Please monitor your Workday and email accounts. You may be contacted through Workday or have additional tasks to complete. Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDI&B) is embedded in the Department of Corrections core values. The department strives to be a model employer committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Ensuring legal compliance, efficiency, and exceeding expectations to deliver the best public services. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. Additional information can be found from The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Know Your Rights. The Oregon Department of Corrections is responsible for complying with the Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA 42 U.S.C. 1997). PREA prohibits the Oregon Department of Corrections from hiring, promoting, or contracting with anyone, (that will have direct contact with residents), who has engaged in, been convicted of, or been civilly or administratively adjudicated for engaging in sexual abuse in confinement settings. Learn more about PREA. Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans? preference. Review our veterans? preference page for details about eligibility. Please note ? if you are a veteran, you will receive a task in Workday to upload your documents immediately after you submit your initial application. Questions If you have questions about the position, selection process, or need accommodations to participate in the recruitment process please contact the recruiter and reference the requisition number. Recruiter: Stephanie Johnston, [email protected] Reference Number: 175027 Workday will timeout after 15 minutes of inactivity. You may lose progress on your application. Workday performs weekly maintenance Friday evenings, and the system may be down for several hours. ODOC does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete an I-9 and confirm authorization to work in the United States. This applicant list may be used to fill future vacancies. Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice. This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. The pay and benefits on all announcements may change without notice. Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative. We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars. After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities. From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you?re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between. Oregon ?flies with her own wings.?