CORRECTIONAL COUNSELOR II (SPECIALIST)

Job Description and Duties

Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

The mission of Region I is to safely and securely house and process incoming incarcerated people by compiling and evaluating their criminal records, life histories, medical, dental, physiological, mental health histories, and social histories to determine their custody score, identify any specific placement needs, and assign them to one of the 34 state prisons. 

The California Department of Corrections Rehabilitation (CDCR) Headquarters has implemented a new automated system to streamline the hiring process. The Human Resources Technology System (HRTS) is an intuitive, user-friendly system that provides the applicant access to real time updates throughout the hiring process.

HRTS will require new candidates to set up an account, which allows them to track their application’s progress. Through their account portal, candidates will also be able to provide any additional information needed in the hiring process, including setting up interviews as needed. After the final filing date, applicants will receive an email from  View email address on calcareers.ca.gov or View email address on calcareers.ca.gov (depending on the email provider), with direction on creating and/or accessing their account.

For HRTS communication, this is in reference to Job Requisition (JR) 4438

CDCR/CCHCS employees are encouraged to use their existing CDCR email address on their application.

This advertisement is for a Correctional Counselor II, Specialist position located in Elk Grove, CA. Please indicate the position number on your application: 065-205-9901-002

Note: 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 .

Working Conditions

This position is located in Elk Grove, CA

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 should 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/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.

CDCR/CCHCS utilizes E-Verify to confirm candidate’s identity and employment authorization. For more information about E-Verify, you may go to 

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 promote an inclusive workplace that empowers employees from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences.

• Highly motivated, flexible and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in a wide variety of classification duties.
• The ability to work collaboratively with team members and stakeholders in order to quickly meet operational goals.
• Experience acting on behalf of or communicating with executive staff within a large government agency or equivalent.
• Experience operating at an intellectually high-level capacity providing research and analysis for a large government agency or equivalent.
• Experience working collaboratively with executive staff to meet the department’s or company’s mission and goals.
• Experience in reacting to adversity and organizing, coordinating, and effectively and thoroughly responding to multiple complex issues.
• Demonstrated experience communicating effectively both orally and in writing with high-level management representatives of federal, state, and local government agencies, or equivalent, and internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking, and ability to take initiative, identify issues, and advise the General Counsel to assist with developing solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to gain the confidence and support of top-level administrators in multiple departments and institutions.
• Demonstrated ability to professionally and persuasively communicate views and opinions and facilitate an open exchange of ideas.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website, and the CalPERS website,  .

Information on benefits afforded by membership in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System can be found on the CalHR Salary and Benefits website at  .

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

Additional benefit information can be found on the CalHR California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary website at 

This webpage is intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base and length of appointment.

SOQ Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is REQUIRED and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD. 678). Applications received without an appropriate SOQ 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 SOQ’s. Please refer to the SOQ section below for specific instructions.

2. Please provide a narrative of your leadership approach. Why do you feel this approach is successful?

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 (SOQ) is REQUIRED and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD. 678). Applications received without an appropriate SOQ 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 SOQ’s. Please refer to the SOQ section below for specific instructions. For helpful guidance on writing an effective SOQ or a Supplemental Questionnaire, please visit

• Other -

  A Cover Letter is required. Apps submitted without a Cover Letter will be disqualified from the hiring process. Please submit your Cover Letter in Calibri, size 12 font.