Psychological Services Associate, Corrections - SCI Phoenix

Salary: $63,301.00 - $96,225.00 Annually
Location : Montgomery County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2026-51213-43012
Department: Department of Corrections
Division: CR PHX Trmt Svcs
Opening Date: 06/08/2026
Closing Date: 6/22/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 43012
Position Number: 50518382
Union: SEIU - 668
Bargaining Unit: F4
Pay Group: ST07
Bureau / Division Code: 00115450
Bureau / Division: SCI Phoenix
Worksite Address: 1200 Mokychic Drive
City: Collegeville, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 19426
Contact Name: Ronda Hugaboom
Contact Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io
Contact Email: View email address on click.appcast.io


THE POSITION
Start a meaningful career as a Psychological Services Associate, Corrections with the Department of Corrections (DOC) at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Phoenix. In this role, you help support emotional adjustment and healthier coping skills for individuals in a structured setting. Each day offers opportunities to guide positive change while building strong professional experience. Join a team that values growth, service, and dedication.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position provides limited psychological services to support emotional adjustment and mental health needs within the inmate population at SCI Phoenix. As a Psychological Services Associate, Corrections, you will perform the following duties:

• Counseling Support: Provide group and individual counseling using techniques selected with oversight from a licensed psychologist
• Assessment Tasks: Assist with interviews, testing, scoring, and interpretation under close supervision
• Behavior Planning: Help develop behavior modification plans and case formulations for psychologist approval
• Service Coordination: Work with departments and agencies to support the delivery of psychological services
• Research Assistance: Support research studies designed to strengthen mental health programming

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Sunday - Thursday.
• 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 $63,301.00 (before taxes). A higher salary may be established in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
• 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.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• A Master's degree in psychology or a closely related field, which includes fifteen graduate level credits in psychology, counseling, educational counseling, rehabilitation, human development, learning, or motivation.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements:

• 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 Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

How to Apply:

• 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 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.

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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See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our


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.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.


Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*


Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.
01


Do you possess a conferred master's degree, or are you within three months of conferring a master's degree, in psychology or a closely related field which includes fifteen graduate-level credits in psychology, counseling, rehabilitation, human development, learning, or motivation?If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.

You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.

• Yes
• No

02


If you are within three months of conferring a master's degree in psychology or a closely related field which includes fifteen graduate-level credits in psychology, counseling, rehabilitation, human development, learning, or motivation, on what date do you expect to complete your degree? Type N/A in the text box if this does not apply.
03


You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.

Read each question carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.

If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.

If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our

• Yes

04



WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS
Administers, scores, and interprets psychological tests to assess the psychological needs and functioning of incarcerated people.

Levels of Performance

Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience ADMINISTERING, SCORING, AND INTERPRETING psychological tests to assess the psychological needs and functioning of INCARCERATED PEOPLE.
• B. I have experience ADMINISTERING, SCORING, AND INTERPRETING psychological tests to assess the psychological needs and functioning of individuals OTHER THAN incarcerated people.
• C. I have successfully completed graduate-level coursework or an internship related to psychological test administration or interpretation.
• D. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

05


In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience
2. The duties you performed related to administering, scoring, and interpreting psychological tests
3. To whom you administered the tests
4. Identify the tests you are trained to administer, score, and interpret

06


If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title
3. Credits/Clock Hours

07



WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - TREATMENT
Provides individual and group treatment to incarcerated people regarding diagnosed mental illnesses and recovery goals identified in the patient's treatment plan.

Levels of Performance

Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience providing individual AND group treatment to incarcerated people regarding diagnosed mental illnesses and recovery goals identified in the patient's treatment plan.
• B. I have experience providing individual OR group treatment to incarcerated people regarding diagnosed mental illnesses and recovery goals identified in the patient's treatment plan.
• C. I have experience providing individual OR group treatment to individuals OTHER THAN incarcerated people regarding diagnosed mental illnesses and recovery goals.
• D. I have successfully completed graduate-level coursework or an internship related to individual and group treatment.
• E. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

08


In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience
2. The duties you performed related to providing individual or group treatment
3. To whom you provided treatment
4. Identify the specific psychological interventions you are trained and credentialed to provide

09


If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title
3. Credits/Clock Hours

10



WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - COLLABORATION
Collaborates with other correctional professionals within a multidisciplinary treatment team to identify treatment plan goals for an incarcerated person.

Levels of Performance

Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience collaborating with other health care professionals within a multidisciplinary treatment team to identify treatment plan goals for an INCARCERATED PERSON.
• B. I have experience collaborating with other health care professionals within a multidisciplinary treatment team to identify treatment plan goals for an individual OTHER THAN an incarcerated person.
• C. I have successfully completed graduate-level coursework or an internship related to treatment planning.
• D. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

11


In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience
2. The duties you performed related to collaborating with multidisciplinary team members to identify treatment plan goals
3. For whom you identified treatment plan goals

12


If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title
3. Credits/Clock Hours

13



WORK BEHAVIOR 4 - REFERRALS
Makes appropriate referrals to a higher-level specialist (e.g., or a licensed psychologist or Psychiatric provider) for specialized testing, assessment, clinical supervision, or therapeutic intervention.

Levels of Performance

Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience making appropriate referrals to a higher-level specialist for specialized testing, assessment, clinical supervision, or therapeutic intervention. This was in a correctional setting.
• B. I have experience making appropriate referrals to a higher-level specialist for specialized testing, assessment, clinical supervision, or therapeutic intervention. This was in a setting OTHER THAN a correctional setting.
• C. I have successfully completed graduate-level coursework related to psychology or an internship related to making referrals.
• D. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

14


In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience
2. The duties you performed related to making referrals
3. To whom you made referrals
4. The setting in which you made referrals

15


If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title
3. Credits/Clock Hours

16



WORK BEHAVIOR 5 - CRISIS INTERVENTION
De-escalates behavior of incarcerated people by using verbal de-escalation skills and crisis intervention skills, and by coordinating interventions. Makes determinations for resources and tactics needed to safely resolve the situation.

Levels of Performance

Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience de-escalating behavior of INCARCERATED PEOPLE by using verbal de-escalation skills and crisis intervention skills, AND by coordinating interventions. I made determinations of the resources and tactics needed to safely resolve the situation.
• B. I have experience de-escalating behavior of INCARCERATED PEOPLE by using verbal de-escalation skills and crisis intervention skills.
• C. I have experience de-escalating behavior of individuals OTHER THAN incarcerated people by using verbal de- escalation skills and crisis intervention skills.
• D. I have successfully completed graduate-level coursework or an internship related to conflict resolution.
• E. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

17


In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience
2. The duties you performed related to de-escalating behavior
3. The duties you performed related to coordinating interventions and making determinations for resources and tactics needed
4. The setting in which you de-escalated behavior

18


If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title
3. Credits/Clock Hours

Required Question