Social Worker 2 (SCI Chester)

The Department of Corrections, State Correctional Institution at Chester is seeking a dedicated, creative and well organized person to join our team as a Social Worker 2.

Working for the Department of Corrections (DOC) as a Social Worker consists of maintaining contact and communication with a range of DOC and community staff, in order to manage need specific services.

Working individually with the inmates is an integral and rewarding component of working as a Social Worker. The assigned Social Worker has a unique opportunity to firsthand see the inmates actively engaging in the change process.

You will be making decisions regarding what type of services, programs, and treatment the inmates on his/her caseload require. You will also be conducting group or individual counseling as directed for reentry and discharge programming. You will be responsible for preparing formal written reports concerning an inmates progress and adjustment while at the institution and the staff’s overall recommendations to the courts, parole authorities, etc. You will also be responsible for managing complex inmate cases, who at times are served by the mental health system and the correctional setting. You will be making independent decisions to advise, assist and plan for inmates based on understanding systems and how they effect, conflict and interact with one another in the overall success of the inmates.

If you have the required experience as indicated below, and wish to explore a rewarding career that offers the opportunity to share your skills while earning a great salary and benefits, the PA Department of Corrections wants to hear from you!

Additional details regarding the duties of this position may be found in the position description.

• Full-time employment – 40 hour work week
• Work Hours: – Monday – Friday; 8:00 am – 4:00 pm; 30 minute lunch period
• This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55

If you are selected for hire and you are not a current Commonwealth employee, this position requires you to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the start of your employment. You are considered to be fully vaccinated two weeks after your second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines) or two weeks after receiving a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., the Johnson & Johnson vaccine). If you are not fully vaccinated prior to the start of your employment, or you have not received an accommodation exempting you from the Commonwealth’s vaccination policy based on a medical or religious reason, your job offer will be rescinded.

If you are selected for hire and you are a current Commonwealth employee, this position requires you to be either fully vaccinated prior to starting in this position OR undergo weekly testing for COVID-19. Unless you have received an accommodation exempting you from the Commonwealth’s vaccination policy based on a medical or religious reason, if you are not fully vaccinated prior to starting in this position and you refuse to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing, your job offer will be rescinded.

• Minimum Experience and Training Requirements: Two years of experience as a Social Worker 1 or Forensic Social Worker 1 (must have been employed in a Commonwealth Social Worker job title on September 8, 2008 with continuous Commonwealth employment); OR two years of experience as a Social Worker 1 or a Forensic Social Worker 1 and a bachelor’s degree in social work or social welfare; OR two years of professional experience providing direct public or private social work services, and a bachelor’s degree in social work or social welfare; OR a master’s degree in social work or social welfare.
• Must meet PA residency requirement – For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency
• Do not submit resumes, cover letters, and similar documents. These documents will not be reviewed and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score. 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.
• Based on your answers to the supplemental application questions regarding licensure, you may be instructed to upload a copy of your license to your application.
• Must be able to perform essential job functions

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require submission of criminal history reports. See hiring agency contact information.
• You must pass a background investigation.

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.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans’ Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals)

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.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

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, six 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 www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

• Eligibility rules apply.