Job Description and Duties
Under the direction of the Correctional Counselor II (Supervisor) in the assigned Facility, the Correctional Counselor I is the primary link between the inmate and the classification process and is responsible for collecting and evaluating social, behavioral, psychological, and educational data for an assigned caseload of inmates. The incumbent will work closely with interdisciplinary staff to facilitate inmate rehabilitation and treatment needs while incarcerated; will utilize a computer to access programs including the Strategic Offender Management System (SOMS), Electronic Records Management System (ERMS), and Boards Information Technology System (BITS).
Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Department Information
Mission: To facilitate the successful reintegration of the individuals in our care back to their communities equipped with the tools to be drug-free, healthy, and employable members of society by providing education, treatment, rehabilitative, and restorative justice programs, all in a safe and humane environment.
Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJDCF) is a multi-mission institution: RJDCF’s primary mission is to provide housing for General Population and SNY, Level I, II, III & IV inmates serving their term of incarceration at RJDCF. Additionally, we provide health care services and rehabilitative programs to inmates while incarcerated at RJDCF. RJDCF is a designated institution for inmates with severe mental illness, inmates with developmental disabilities and is responsible for providing officer coverage for inmates being treated in community hospitals throughout San Diego County. In order to continue our mission, we are constantly looking for highly enthused individuals who value a progressive and innovative work environment. Working at RJDCF presents many challenges and opportunities for personal and career growth. If you strive to make a difference, we invite you to seek a career with RJDCF.
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.
Candidates new to CDCR 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.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 3/25/2024Who May Apply
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
- Degree and/or School Transcripts
- Statement of Qualifications -
A Supplemental Questionnaire is required and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD. 678). Applications received without an appropriate Supplemental Questionnaire 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 Supplemental Questionnaire. Please refer to the “Supplemental Questionnaire” section below for specific requirements.
Desirable Qualifications
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
Information on benefits afforded by membership in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System can be found on the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) Salary and Benefits website at https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/pages/salary-and-benefits.aspx
Information regarding Merit System Principles provided to public employees by the State Civil Service Act can be found on the CalHR website at https://www.calhr.ca.gov/Training/Pages/performance-management-merit-system-principles.aspx
Additional benefit information can be found on the CalHR California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary website at https://www.calhr.ca.gov/Pages/California-State-Civil-Service-EmployeeBenefits-Summary.aspx.
This webpage is intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base and length of appointment. This webpage is intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base and length of appointment
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.
Human Resources Contact:
Esmeralda Dela Vega
(619) 671-7573
Jessica.Garcia3@cdcr.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Jessica Garcia
(619) 671-7519
Jessica.Garcia3@cdcr.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:Melissa Kibbee,Correctional Business Mgr
(619) 661-6500 ext: 7866
Melissa.Kibbee@cdcr.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Statement of Qualifications
Provide a narrative discussion of how your education, training, experience, and skills best qualify you for this position. A notation or reference to other materials such as resumes or applications will not be considered and will not substitute for the SOQ.
Additional Information
- Application must have the title of the job you are applying for and must clearly indicate the Job Code #. (Please ensure your application template is updated with the correct job title).
- Application must include a valid email address and contact number.
- If using education to meet the minimum qualifications, you must include a copy of your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification.
- If currently employed by the State of California using Out of Class experience to meet Minimum Qualifications, please include a copy of your Out of Class Completion Memorandum.
- If you are a State employee requesting a T&D Assignment, this MUST be indicated on your application or by selecting "Other" as appointment type and typing in “T&D Assignment” when prompted during online submission.
- Incomplete applications will be screened out.
- This advertisement may be used for other vacancies that occur during this recruitment.
- Salary posted is the base pay for the classification; various salary ranges may be included. A final salary placement will be made at the time of appointment.
- Departments are not required to contact all candidates with list eligibility; therefore, candidates are encouraged to search for vacancies they may be eligible for and apply.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.