Treatment Counselor - Berks County Jail Systems

Annual Salary: $52,441.00

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Treatment Counselor conducts group and individual counseling.  This position oversees other programs and services such as institutional employment, earned time, volunteer process, and services provided by volunteer organizations. This position is also responsible for conducting case management on units, which may include performing classification reassessments, preparing institutional parole summaries, writing referrals, creating visitation schedules, and networking on behalf of inmates.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Conducts group and individual counseling.
• Addresses inmate concerns through case management on the unit, which may include completing institutional parole summaries and classification reassessments.
• Coordinates other institutional programs, which may include institutional employment, earned time, volunteer process, and programs implemented by volunteer organizations.
• Maintains required and appropriate documentation of inmate records, which may include reports, logging of inmates’ programming, visitation lists, funeral furloughs, and reviews for inmates in administrative segregation.
• Serves as liaison to community providers, which may include parole authorities, court officials, and treatment service providers.
• Collects and dates stamps communication forms from units.  Also distributes answered communication forms to inmates.
• Completes any other duties as assigned by the Deputy Warden of Treatment, Clinical Counseling Supervisor, or Treatment Supervisor.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, or a closely related field.  A degree must be obtained from an accredited college or university.
• Two (2) years of documented direct counseling experience in an agency or government setting.
• Possess any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of counseling theories and interventions.
• Awareness of multicultural issues in counseling.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to prioritize and organize multiple tasks to meet deadlines.
• Ability to handle and operate personal computers, copiers, printers, radios, keys, telephones, and other office equipment.
• Ability to work independently on a variety of duties.
• Ability to train new staff in all duties of a treatment counselor.
• Ability to oversee and train interns in all duties of a treatment counselor.
• Ability to meet all employment criteria established by the Berks County Prison, which may include a job interview, urine drug screen, physical/health assessment, criminal background check, aptitude assessment, psychological assessment, and interview by a psychologist.
• Ability to meet standards established by the PA DOC in PA Code Title 37.
• Knowledge of the ethical standards as outlined by the American Psychological Association.
• Ability to handle stress.
• Physical presence in the office is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Position requires sitting and typing for extended periods of time. Work involves talking, hearing, reaching overhead, climbing stairs, using hands to handle and feel objects, tools, or controls. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Ability to lift and carry files and documents weighing up to and including twenty-five (25) pounds. Ability to ambulate frequently to all departments and areas within the facility. Ability to stand for periods up to two (2) hours. Ability to sit for periods up to two (2) hours. Ability to pull and open grill gates and unit doors. Ability to reach overhead at a full arm's length.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Requires working within the confines of a secure facility. Requires working in loud, small, and communal workspaces. Requires working in an environment where personal safety may be of concern. Requires working in an environment where there is the possibility of foul odors. Requires working in an environment where cameras are present and utilized.

This position description serves as a guideline for communicating the essential functions and other information about the position to the applicant/employee. It is not intended to create a binding employment contract nor cover every detail of the position, and may be changed where appropriate.