The Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist 2 position at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Forest offers a meaningful chance to guide individuals toward recovery. In this role, you become an essential member of the Inmate Treatment Team, helping inmates understand available alcohol and other drugs (AOD) services. Your work supports positive change through counseling, planning treatment activities, and easing anxieties during the recovery process. Step into a role where your motivation and skills strengthen rehabilitation and support long-term success!
This position supports substance abuse treatment programs that help inmates develop healthier behaviors and prepare for successful re-entry into the community. As a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist 2, you will perform the following duties:
- Treatment Planning: Develop structured AOD treatment plans while preparing summaries for parole and pre-release review
- Inmate Orientation: Explain available AOD services to newly received inmates and guide them through initial program expectations
- Supportive Counseling: Review inmate records, conduct interviews, and provide individual counseling to ease anxieties and encourage continued participation
- Program Facilitation: Lead therapeutic community and outpatient groups according to established procedures and structured schedules
- Assessment Duties: Perform assessments for inmates in need and make recommendations based on policy and available documentation
- Case Management: Maintain accurate treatment charts, histories, and required documentation for all assigned inmates
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
- Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
- Work hours are 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
- This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55.
- Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
- Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $64,574.00 (before taxes).
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
- One year of para-professional and one year of professional experience providing drug and alcohol counseling services directly to clients in a social work setting; and certification by the PA Chemical Abuse Certification Board as a "Certified Addictions Counselor"; or
- One year of experience as a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist 1 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
- Two years of professional experience providing drug and alcohol counseling services directly to clients in a social work setting; and a bachelor's degree that includes 18 credits in the behavioral sciences; or
- One year of professional experience providing drug and alcohol counseling services directly to clients in a social work setting and a master's degree with major coursework in addictions science, psychology or social work; or
- An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 18 college credits in the behavioral sciences.
- 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 Guidelines.
- You must be able to perform essential job functions.
Legal Requirement:
- 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.
- All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.
Veterans:
- Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
- 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
- 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.