Correctional Counselor I

Job Description and Duties Limited Term 12 months; may be extended up to 24 months or become permanent. Under general supervision, as a sworn essential public safety officer, to assemble, organize, analyze, and record information necessary for classification and parole planning for prison inmates; to interview and counsel inmates and assist with their adjustment and development or modification of the inmate's program in a correctional setting; to perform peace officer duties as required, and to replace and/or assist custodial staff during emergency situations, such as fights, attempted escapes, or major incidents, such as riots; to maintain order and supervise the conduct of inmates; to maintain the safety of persons and property; and to do other related work. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s). Individuals must specify on their application that they are applying for a Training and Development assignment. This recruitment may be used to fill any additional vacancies in this classification for the life of the recruitment. CDCR/CCHCS employees are encouraged to use their existing CDCR email address on their job application. Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• CORRECTIONAL COUNSELOR I Additional Documents
• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement Department Information Vision We enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs.

Mission

To facilitate the successful reintegration of the individuals in our care back to their communities equipped with the tools to be drug-free, healthy, and employable members of society by providing education, treatment, rehabilitative, and restorative justice programs, all in a safe and humane environment. Commitment CDCR and CCHCS are committed to transforming the correctional landscape to create safer, more professional, and more fulfilling environments for our employees, the incarcerated population, and those supervised in our communities. Through systemwide improvements grounded in proven and emerging practices, we aim to strengthen rehabilitation, enhance workplace satisfaction, and support successful reentry into the community through our institutions, parole, and community partnerships. Our shared mission is to promote safety, wellness, and human dignity while fostering positive change for all those who live and work within our institutions and communities. CDCR and CCHCS are committed to building an inclusive respectful workplace. We are determined to attract and hire candidates from all communities and empower employees from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences. We are proud to foster inclusion and drive collaborative efforts at all levels of the Department. CDCR and CCHCS strive to collaborate with the community to enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs. Incumbents establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within the department, other governmental agencies, health care partners, and communities. CDCR/CCHCS values all team members. We work cooperatively to provide the highest level of health care possible to a diverse correctional population, which includes medical, dental, nursing, mental health, and pharmacy. We encourage creativity and ingenuity while treating others fairly, honestly, and with respect, all of which are critical to the success of the CDCR/CCHCS mission.

Location of Position:

Wasco State Prison-Reception Center 701 Scofield Ave Wasco, CA 93280 Founded in 1885, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is one of the nation’s largest and most diverse correctional departments in the country. We are dedicated to enhancing public safety through the safe and secure incarceration of individuals in our care, by providing effective parole supervision, and implementing rehabilitative strategies for their successful reintegration into our communities.

Department Website:

http://www.jobs.ca.gov Special Requirements Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission. Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board. Applicants who completed their education outside of the US (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of U.S. course/degree equivalency. Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at NACES | National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Candidates new to CDCR/CCHCS are required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan Fingerprinting, as well as a Tuberculosis test/evaluation prior to appointment, followed by department annual Tuberculosis testing/evaluation thereafter. When submitting supporting documents, PDF file format is preferred. This advertisement may be used for other vacancies that occur during the life of this recruitment. Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate: Willingness to create and promote an equitable and inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated and valued. Knowledge of: Grammar, spelling, and correct usage of written and oral communication; correctional casework procedures; an understanding of the range of normal and abnormal human behavior; the policies and procedures of custody; problems involved in the supervision and adjustment of inmates; the various prison gangs, including gang memberships, interaction between gangs, special housing considerations, and the associated potential dangers to staff and inmates; cultural differences and perspectives of the inmates; the causative factors related to criminal patterns (crimes within the institution, gang applications, recidivism, etc.); group processes and dynamics, including various roles played by group participants and the different types of questions or modes of inquiry which can be used in group settings; simple arithmetic. Ability to: Write comprehensive, complete, clear, and concise reports; utilize oral and written language to communicate effectively with inmates, staff and the public; command the respect and trust of inmates and staff; organize and prioritize work; meet deadlines; deal tactfully/diplomatically with sensitive issues; evaluate situations accurately and take effective action; deal effectively with a high volume of work; obtain specific information from an inmate during an interview; work under pressure; respond effectively to emergency situations; work independently; control an interview with an inmate; interpret institutional and departmental policies, rules and regulations; adjust to changes in assignments; work with a team of people from a variety of occupations and professional disciplines; motivate an inmate toward specific goals; recognize and handle dangerous situations for inmates and staff. Demonstrated capacity for assuming progressively greater responsibility as evidenced by a recent employment history; neat personal appearance; adaptability; and emotional maturity and stability; tact; patience; willingness to work irregular hours; satisfactory record as a law-abiding citizen; normal or corrected to normal hearing; sound physical condition; strength; endurance; and agility; willingness to report for duty anytime of emergency crisis.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website. Information on benefits afforded by membership in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System can be found on the CalHR Salary and Benefits website. Information on the benefits and protections provided to public employees by the State Civil Service Act can be found on the CalHR website. Additional benefit information can be found on the CalHR California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary website. This webpage is intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base and length of appointment. Minimum Qualifications & Examination Information Either I

Experience: In a California state correctional institution either:

• One year performing the duties of a Correctional Program Supervisor I. or
• One year performing the duties of a Youth Counselor. Or
• Two years performing the duties of a Correctional Officer or Medical Technical Assistant. and Education: Equivalent to graduation from a recognized four-year college. Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for not more than two years of the required education on a year-for-year basis.) Or II Experience: One year of experience in collecting, evaluating, and interpreting social, behavioral, and vocational data for purposes of counseling and promoting individual adjustment. This experience must have been gained in one or a combination of fields of probation, parole or correctional casework. (Graduate work with an academic specialization in administration of justice, correctional science, criminal justice, corrections, criminology, sociology, psychology or other related behavioral science fields, or in a recognized school of social work may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis. Applicants substituting education for the entire experience requirement must have completed the equivalent of one academic year in an approved course in supervised casework or correctional fieldwork during or supplemental to their graduate work. Graduate students in one of these fields will be admitted to the examination, but must produce evidence of completion of one year of graduate work and the required year of supervised casework or correctional fieldwork before they will be considered eligible for appointment.) and Education: Equivalent to graduation from a recognized four-year college. Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for two years of the required education on a year-for- year basis.) To obtain list eligibility for the position, before applying, you must first take and pass the examination: CalCareers Additional Information & Application Requirements Applications received without the following information will be considered incomplete and may not be considered for an interview: Dates, Job Title, Company/Agency Name & Address, Supervisor Name & Phone Number, Hours Worked, Total Worked, Duties Performed, Reason for Leaving if not present position. Felony Disqualification: Existing law provides that persons convicted of a felony are disqualified from employment as peace officers. Such persons are not eligible to compete for, or be appointed to, positions in this class. Training Requirement: Under the provisions of Penal Code Section 832, successful completion of a training course in laws of arrest, search and seizure, and in firearms and chemical agents is a requirement for permanent status in this class. Background Investigation: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031(d), all persons successful in this examination who are not peace officers with the Department of Corrections shall be required to successfully complete a thorough background investigation prior to appointment. Work Authorization Requirement: Existing law provides that peace officers be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law. Age Limitation: Minimum age for appointment: 21 years, pursuant to Government Code Section 1031(b). You must state your birthday on your application. Drug Testing Requirement: Applicants for positions in this class are required to pass a drug screening test. (The drug screening test will be waived for employees who are currently in a designated "Sensitive" class for which drug testing is required under State Personnel Board Rule 213.)