Cognitive Counselor

To plan, coordinate and implement, and evaluate the institution’s approach to offender reentry and cognitive community based on principles of evidence based practices. Operations, programs and services are founded on the well-established, contemporary body of evidence-based practices for offender management that complement traditional security tools and incorporate the following: effective communication; identifying offender criminal risks and treatment needs; motivating offender change through case plan agreements, incentives and sanctions; and providing programs/services to address criminogenic needs.

Basic knowledge of the principles and techniques of social work or rehabilitative counseling, and of casework and treatment methods including motivational interviewing and various intervention techniques. Knowledge of offender programs and supervision techniques. Ability to resolve conflict, role model pro-social values and responsible behavior, to manage clinical/therapeutic boundaries, and to co-lead multidisciplinary teams while evaluating and documenting offender treatment progress. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, manage a specialized caseload while maintaining the Counselor’s Code of Ethics.

Prefer working experience with offenders in reentry, pre-release and/or cognitive community settings. Prefer Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with course work in social work, rehabilitative counseling or other related human services field. Prefer Masters Degree in human services field. Prefer professional certification in a relevant human services field or counseling discipline.

All applicants are subject to a background investigation and pre-employment drug screen.

The investigation may include: fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI); local agency checks; employment verification; verification of education (relevant to employment); credit checks; and other checks requested by the hiring authority.

Application and/or résumé for this position must be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. on the closing date through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Job Board/Recruitment Management System ( RMS ). Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and/or résumés will not be accepted.

The decision to interview an applicant is based solely on the information received for this position from either the electronic application and/or résumé.

RMS provides a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your RMS account to check the status of your application for this position.

This is a tobacco free facility. Use of all tobacco products is prohibited on site at all times.

Applicants who possess an Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Form) as issued under the Department of Human Resources Management ( DHRM ) Policy 1.30 Layoff (Commonwealth of Virginia Employees Only), MUST attach these forms when submitting their state application and/or résumé.

The Virginia Department of Corrections is an EEO employer. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.

AMERICORPS , PEACE CORPS , AND OTHER NATIONAL SERVICE ALUMNI ARE ALL ENCOURAGED TO APPLY .