Cognitive Counselor (Community Corrections): P&P District #12 Staunton #P1245
Listed compensation
$47.7K - $73.8K
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Title: Cognitive Counselor (Community Corrections): P&P District #12 Staunton #P1245
State Role Title: Counselor II
Hiring Range: $47,721.00 - $73,751.00
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Dept of Corr - Central Admin
Location: Staunton P&P
Agency Website: vadoc.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
To provide evidence based cognitive-behavioral programs to address key criminogenic needs of inmates on supervision in the community to reduce their recidivism and support inmates becoming law abiding citizens and fully engaged in the legitimate economy.
Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent. Basic knowledge of the principles and techniques of rehabilitative counseling; of casework and treatment methods, motivational interviewing and intervention techniques. Knowledge of evidence-based practices principals and programs.
Demonstrated ability to resolve conflict, role model pro-social values and responsible behavior, to manage clinical boundaries and documenting inmate treatment progress. Ability to utilize EPICS skills in community settings.
Skills and ability to facilitate evidence based cognitive behavioral programs and peer support groups. Ability to work both independently and as a key part of a multidisciplinary team. Ability to be a leader for others and to practice dialogue skills. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to prioritize and organize work.
Additional Considerations
Experience working with inmates in correctional settings including community corrections, reentry, pre-release and/or prison; experience delivering evidence based cognitive-behavioral programs to inmates in a group setting; Graduation from an accredited college or university with course work in social work, rehabilitative counseling or related human services field. Master’s degree in human services field. EPICS training and demonstrated skill competence.
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: 804-659-8424
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 primary duty is to deliver evidence-based cognitive-behavioral programs aimed at addressing key criminogenic needs for inmates under community supervision. This role supports inmates in becoming law-abiding citizens fully engaged in the legitimate economy to reduce recidivism.
Requirements
Minimum qualifications require a high school diploma or equivalent, along with basic knowledge of rehabilitative counseling principles, casework methods, and motivational interviewing techniques. Demonstrated ability to resolve conflict, role model pro-social values, and manage clinical boundaries is also necessary.
Qualifications
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Cognitive Counselor (Community Corrections): P&P District #12 Staunton #P1245 at Virginia Information Technologies Agency a 7.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 25% in Counseling — ranked against 13,631 active Counseling listings on WeekdayDoc.
Correctional Counseling — Counselor Career Context
Virginia Information Technologies Agency ranks #10 of 14 employers hiring Counselor on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.
Of the 50 active Correctional Counseling listings this role was benchmarked against, 50% are remote, 48% have no call, 68% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for Virginia is 101.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$61k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $60k in an average-cost state. 61.1% of Virginia clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
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