Correctional Counselor I (CCI)

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.

Please note : Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to check their email inbox, to include junk emails, for any correspondences regarding their application status.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

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

Candidates new to CDCR or the Division of Juvenile Justice are required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan Fingerprinting, and Tuberculosis testing 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.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the California Department of Human Resources .

Information on benefits afforded by membership in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System can be found on the .

Information on the benefits and protections provided to public employees by the State Civil Service Act can be found on the .

Additional benefit information can be found on the 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

Either I

Experience: In a California state correctional institution either:

1. One year performing the duties of a Correctional Program Supervisor I. or
2. One year performing the duties of a Youth Counselor. Or
3. 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.)

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  A Statement of Qualifications is required and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD. 678). Applications received without an appropriate Statement of Qualifications based on the instructions below will be rejected for being incomplete and will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, and other documents will not be considered as a response to the Statement of Qualifications. Please refer to the "Statement of Qualifications" section below for the specific requirements.

• Other -

  All applicants are required to submit a copy of their Performance Evaluation dated within the last twelve (12) months. If not available, please attach a letter of recommendation instead.