Cognitive Counselor (Community Corrections): P&P District #12 Staunton #P1245

CounselorFull-Time

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.

Posted 7mo ago

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

Recidivism ReductionConflict ResolutionClinical Boundary ManagementDocumenting Treatment ProgressProgram FacilitationIndependent WorkTeamworkLeadership

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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Salary Distribution32 jobs · 22 employers

7
<$75k
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$75k-90k
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$90k-105k
6
$105k-120k
7
$120k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks29 jobs · 22 employers

401k / retirement match
93%
CME allowance
28%
Sign-on bonus
21%
Loan repayment
14%
PSLF eligible
14%

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 7.2
Better work-life than 80% of Counseling listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 13,631 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Staunton

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$323k≈ 6.8× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,562/mo≈ 39% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
21 min
State income tax
Up to 5.8%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.