Initial Posting Date:

08/28/2025

Application Deadline:

09/07/2025

Agency:

Department of Corrections

Salary Range:

$6,727 - $8,917

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Release Counselor, Correctional Counselor Entry Level Option, Job Rotation/Developmental opportunity for ODOC, BOPPPS and OCE employees only (Salem)

Job Description:

Release Counselor, Correctional Counselor Entry Level Option, Job Rotation/Developmental opportunity for ODOC, BOPPPS and OCE employees only (Salem)

Santiam Correctional Institution

Oregon Department of Corrections

This position is a job rotation anticipated to last 6 months, though may be extended or decreased due to business need. This rotation available for current regular status employees of the Oregon Department of Corrections, Oregon Corrections Enterprises, or Oregon Board of Parole, Probation, and Post-Prison Supervision with their current manager's approval.

Candidates who do not meet the minimum qualifications for the Correctional Counselor may be considered as an underfill in the Entry Correctional Counselor classification.

An underfill must meet the minimum qualifications for the lower classification and would receive the pay in accordance with the lower classifications salary range until they meet the minimum qualification for the full position. At that time the successful candidate would be moved to the higher classification and salary range.

The salary range for the underfill is: $5,349- $6,418.

Preference may be given to candidates who can meet the full qualifications.

Candidates who do not meet the minimum qualifications for the Entry Correctional Counselor classification may be considered as a developmental. Developmental candidates are not eligible for Work Out of Class Differential.

About the Job – Your Role

Your primary duties in this position will be to interview and work with adults in custody (AIC) to gather information to assess needs and to collaboratively develop a release plan. You will explain Short-Term Transitional Leave, Alternative Incarceration Program (non-prison leave), and projected physical release date eligibility and information.

You will meet with AICs on a frequent basis to address their concerns/issues as related to re-lease and release planning. Explain expectations for release including general and special post-prison supervision conditions as well as county reporting instructions. When you are made aware of mental health, medical/physical special needs, you will work collaboratively with stakeholders including the Reentry Benefits Coordinator, Health Services, and Behavioral Health Services.

You will also confirm release transportation, housing, incidental funds etc., prior to release.

You will respond in a timely and professional manner to AIC grievances and to written and verbal requests by AICs for information and interviews. You will facilitate communication be-tween AICs and outside agencies, including Community Corrections offices, Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision, housing resources, and transportation services. You will correspond with the general public, including AIC family members.

This position is represented by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). This position may be eligible for Police & Fire (P&F) benefits through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), as defined by statute.

Minimum Qualifications

Your application materials will be reviewed to verify that you have:

• Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science, criminal justice or related field with major coursework in behavioral science; AND have two (2) years of professional counseling experience working with clientele in a social service or rehabilitative program; OR
• Three (3) years of experience in a social service, rehabilitative, or correctional program with primary responsibility for guiding and/or counseling individuals or groups in the solution of occupational, educational, personal, or social problems AND two (2) years of professional counseling experience working with clientele in a social service or rehabilitative program; OR
• Master's degree in a behavioral science AND one year of professional counseling experience working with clientele in a social service or rehabilitative program

Experience in any security series position in and of itself does not substitute for the required minimum qualifications.

NOTE: Professional counseling experience must include providing supportive counseling to clients on a one-to-one basis with full responsibility for developing and managing each case plan.

Entry Level/Underfill Minimum Qualifications:

• Three (3) years of experience in a social service, rehabilitative, or correctional program with primary responsibility for guiding and/or counseling individuals or groups in the solution of occupational, educational, personal, or social problems; OR
• a Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science or a related field with major courses in behavioral science;

Experience in any security series position in and of itself does not substitute for the required minimum qualifications.

NOTE: Professional counseling experience must include providing supportive counseling to clients on a one-to-one basis with full responsibility for developing and managing each case plan.

Developmental:

• Developmental opportunities do not have any qualifications. If applying for the developmental opportunity, please include approval from your direct supervisor.

Failure to include this approval, will result in the dismissal of your application.

Requested Skills

• Ability to assess, plan, and coordinate services for adults in custody (AICs) to ensure a smooth transition to the community.
• Proficiency in evaluating AICs' risks, needs, and support systems to develop individualized release plans.
• Experience in preparing and processing immediate releases, including securing housing, employment, and community resources.
• Ability to manage urgent situations and respond effectively to immediate release needs.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to interact with AICs, legal representatives, families, and community organizations.
• Ability to manage multiple cases, meet deadlines, and adapt to fast-paced, short-term casework.
• Understanding of institutional policies, legal requirements, and reentry programs related to correctional releases.
• Ability to develop creative solutions for barriers to reentry, such as housing, employment, and treatment access.
• Commitment to upholding ethical standards and maintaining the confidentiality of AIC information.

Preferred Skills:

• Possess a current Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) certification;

Application Information

• In the Work Experience section of your application make sure to include the dates and duties of all relevant positions and details to support how you meet these attributes. If you do not include education or work experience meeting the minimum qualifications, you will not be considered for the position. Only the candidates whose experience most closely matches the qualifications and requested skills of this position will be invited to interview. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on or before the job posting close date.
• The job posting closes at 11:59 PM (PDT/PST) on the close date. After you submit your application, be sure to respond to the two questionnaires relating to public records requests and veterans’ preference immediately following your submittal. These questions are necessary to complete the application process.
• Please monitor both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment.
• As part of our selection process, we may require additional assessment stages, such as written exercises, to further evaluate candidates’ qualifications. Meaningful participation in these exercises is required for all applicants moving forward in the process. Failure to complete the required exercise(s) within the specified timeframe will result in disqualification from consideration. All candidates who successfully complete these screening stages and meet the necessary requirements will advance to the next stage in the selection process.
• Please save a copy of this job announcement for reference, as it is not available for you to view after the announcement deadline.

Working Conditions

This position works inside a secure adult correctional facility with daily interactions with adults in custody. The employee is responsible to prevent escapes from confinement by proper control of keys, tools, and contraband and documenting unusual incidents as they occur. This position may encounter abusive adults in custody who pose the risk of physical injury. In the event of an emergency, this employee is subject to call back at which time the employee could be placed in any post in administration or an institution.

Will be expected to share the mission, vision, and core values of the department; requires active modeling of pro-social behavior in support of a workplace environment respectful of human dignity, social responsibility, personal growth, and transition readiness; must be able to acknowledge that everyone is capable of positive change, that incarceration provides a powerful opportunity to effect positive change, and that the future public safety of Oregon depends on maintaining environments where such change is valued and nurtured.

About the Department

The Oregon Department of Corrections is responsible for over 12,000 adults in custody in 12 state prisons throughout Oregon. It advises and evaluates counties regarding administration of probation and parole programs supervising more than 24,000 offenders in Oregon communities. The mission is to protect communities, promote accountability, and transform lives.

The Oregon Department of Corrections serves a diverse and changing population of people who are incarcerated and on supervision. We commit to creating an organization both reflecting the diversity of the population we serve and ensuring all employees thrive in a culture of safety, trust, and belonging. We strive to be an anti-racist corrections system. Welcoming, inclusive, and respectful of all people. Free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

The Department offers a variety of programs and opportunity to create a safe and healthy environment to for our staff, volunteers, and adults in custody. Joining the Oregon Department of Corrections is joining a team working for the benefit of our communities through innovative and proven correctional practices.

Benefits

The salary range listed above is for non-PERS qualifying applicants. PERS qualifying applicants may be eligible for an adjusted range to reflect an additional 6.95%.

The State of Oregon provides a generous benefit package, which includes:

• Family health, vision, and dental insurance
• Vacation, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays
• 21 days paid military leave for national guard and reserve components
• Optional short and long-term disability
• Term life insurance
• Fully paid retirement program
• Oregon Saving Growth Plan
• Flexible spending accounts for health and childcare
• And more

About the Process – What to Expect

• After the application deadline, a recruiter will review submissions for education and experience to identify candidates who best fit the minimum qualifications and requested skills.
• Top candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
• The hiring manager will review your application and schedule interviews.
• Interview will be held with a panel of stakeholders who have completed panel assessment training. Scores will be determined based on predetermined questions and scoring guides. Preferences points will be applied in compliance with relevant laws and bargaining agreements. There may be multiple rounds of interviews.
• Final candidates will have a background check, PREA check, and reference checks.
• A Classification and Compensation analyst will review the Workday Application of the successful candidate to determine starting wages. Learn more about Equal Pay.
• A job offer will be extended through Workday to the successful candidate. Congratulations, and welcome to the team!

Requirements for Employment

The successful candidate for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility. Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, there may be some felony convictions that could disqualify you for this position. However, having a felony record does not exclusively restrict you from being considered as an applicant. CJIS clearance is done at the conditional job offer. If you have questions about whether or not your criminal record could disqualify for you, please contact the recruiter for more information.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDI&B) is embedded in the Department of Corrections core values. The department strives to be a model employer committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Ensuring legal compliance, efficiency, and exceeding expectations to deliver the best public services.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. Additional information can be found from The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Know Your Rights.

The Oregon Department of Corrections is responsible for complying with the Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA 42 U.S.C. 1997). PREA prohibits the Oregon Department of Corrections from hiring, promoting, or contracting with anyone, (that will have direct contact with residents), who has engaged in, been convicted of, or been civilly or administratively adjudicated for engaging in sexual abuse in confinement settings. Learn more about PREA.

Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility. Please note – if you are a veteran, you will receive a task in Workday to upload your documents immediately after you submit your initial application. You will have up until 24 hours after the posted application deadline to submit the appropriate documentation.

The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.

Questions

If you have questions about the position, selection process, or need accommodations to participate in the recruitment process please contact the recruiter and reference the requisition number.

Recruiter: Stephanie Johnston, Stephanie.M.Johnston@doc.oregon.gov 

Reference Number: 186374

• Workday will timeout after 15 minutes of inactivity. You may lose progress on your application.
• Workday performs weekly maintenance Friday evenings, and the system may be down for several hours.
• ODOC does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete an I-9 and confirm authorization to work in the United States.
• This applicant list may be used to fill future vacancies. Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.
• This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. The pay and benefits on all announcements may change without notice.