Psychological Services Specialist, Corrections SCI Pine Grove

THE POSITION

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

As a Psychological Services Specialist (PSS) for the Department of Corrections, you will be responsible for independently providing psychological services and group therapy to inmates of your assigned institution. The purpose of this service delivery is to ensure individuals' mental health and general emotional needs are addressed efficiently and effectively during a period of incarceration with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.

You will be responsible for conducting individual interviews and independently choosing suitable assessments to evaluate intellectual abilities, personality traits, special skills, and levels of achievement. Additionally, you will coordinate with professional staff to ensure that cases involving mental health needs are directed to appropriate counseling, psychological, psychiatric, and medical services. Your role will also involve drafting and preparing psychological reports, which may include classification documents, results from clinical interviews, parole summaries, psychological updates, and evaluations as necessary. Furthermore, you will collaborate with the Licensed Psychologist Manager to create new educational therapeutic programs for the department and provide initial crisis intervention for inmates until further professional assistance is arranged.

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours weekly
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $66,250.00 (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.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

• Two years as a Psychological Services Associate Corrections (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• A Master's degree in psychology or a closely related field which includes fifteen graduate level credits in psychology; and two years of experience in the field of psychology under the direct supervision of a licensed psychologist.

• 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.
• 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.

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.