Casework Counselor: Sussex State Prison Complex #00116

Counselor / Therapist 8.0 Work-LifeFull-Time

Listed compensation

$47.7K - $68.9K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 4mo ago

Job Description

Title: Casework Counselor: Sussex State Prison Complex #00116

State Role Title: Counselor II

Hiring Range: $47,721.00 -$68,940.00

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept of Corr - Central Admin

Location: Sussex I State Prison

Agency Website: vadoc.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Position provides comprehensive case management services by ensuring all relevant classification paperwork is timely, accurate and complete. Ensures inmates are appropriately employed during their incarceration.

The position focuses on adult inmate release planning and performing case management/counseling which includes classification. Promotes the development of self and staff through providing training.

Acts as a role model by providing guidance/direction for inmates in a correctional facility, which enhances facility security and promotes long-term pro-social behaviors.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience in counseling, rehabilitation, or casework management. Experience facilitating rehabilitative programs. Experience preparing reports.

Working knowledge of principles and practices of counseling, of casework and treatment methods, of behavior modification, various intervention techniques and inmate restoration rehabilitation.

Demonstrated ability to counsel and interact with inmates to develop, implement, and follow through on treatment plans and to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Additional Considerations

Advance knowledge in Social Services, Counseling, Criminal Justice or other areas related to human services or equivalent combination of training and experience. Previous experience working in adult counseling or corrections.

Certification in a specialized area, such as Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, CSAC, Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider, CSOTP. Bi-lingual candidates are encouraged to apply. Knowledge of evidence-based practices and experience facilitating staff and inmate programs.

Special Instructions

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

If selected as a finalist with the VADOC, candidates can expect the following:

Background Investigation Requirements: All applicants are subject to a background investigation. Investigations may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI); local agency checks; employment verification; verification of education (relevant to employment); credit checks; and other checks based on the position.

Drug Testing Requirements: Applicants applying to a designated safety sensitive position are subject to a pre-employment drug screen. Marijuana use is prohibited for positions that require possession of a firearm or a Commercial Driver’s License in the performance of official duties such as Corrections Officers, Probation Officers, Tractor Trailer Drivers and others.

Application Requirements: Application and/or résumé for this position are only accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Electronic Recruitment System. All applications should be submitted by 11:55pm on the closing date for the position.

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 the electronic application and/or résumé.

Layoff Preferences: 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 VA employees only) MUST attach these forms when submitting their state application and/or résumé.

VADOC is an EEO employer and is committed to supporting workforce diversity, equitable opportunities and inclusivity. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.

VADOC values our Veterans and encourages all to apply and receive preference in the hiring process. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other nation service alumni are also encouraged to apply. Click here for more information: Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program - Virginia Department of Veterans Services

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: 804-834-4053

Email: EMAILED APPLICATIONS/RÉSUMÉS / WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS POSITION

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process.

To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI).

Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Key Responsibilities

The position involves providing comprehensive case management services, ensuring all classification paperwork is accurate and timely, and focusing on adult inmate release planning and counseling. This role also includes promoting staff and self-development through training and acting as a role model to enhance facility security and pro-social behaviors.

Requirements

Minimum qualifications require experience in counseling, rehabilitation, or casework management, including program facilitation and report preparation, along with working knowledge of counseling principles and treatment methods. Demonstrated ability to counsel inmates, implement treatment plans, and communicate effectively verbally and in writing is essential.

Qualifications

Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Inmate EmploymentTraining Facilitation

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Casework Counselor: Sussex State Prison Complex #00116 at Virginia Information Technologies Agency a 8.0 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as excellent. This places the position in the top 10% in Counseling — ranked against 12,858 active Counseling listings on WeekdayDoc.

Correctional Counseling — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 52% are remote, 34% have no call, 48% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Virginia is 101.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$58k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $58k in an average-cost state. 61.1% of Virginia clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Counselor by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score8.0 / 10 · top 10% in counselingranked against 12,858 Counseling listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$58k in purchasing powerVirginia index 101.1 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
All counselor listings in Virginia415 active12,956 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 52% remote · 34% no call · 48% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedVirginia counselor listings (all specialties): 16% state a sign-on bonus (median $2k) · 12% offer loan repayment415 active listings, Nov 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (12,858 Counseling listings), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page. Virginia figures use all counselors: too few Virginia Correctional Counseling postings state pay.

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 8.0
Among the best 10% of Counseling listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 12,858 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

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