Associate Correctional Counselor

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is an integral part of the City’s evolving criminal justice system, participating in reform initiatives and strategies aimed to move the City towards a smaller jail system without compromising public safety. The DOC is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for our employees, visitors, volunteers and people in our custody. Importantly, safe jails enable DOC to provide people in custody with the tools and opportunities they need to successfully re-enter their communities.

The DOC operates facilities and court commands across the five boroughs with more than 7,500 diverse professionals and knowledgeable experts.

• Interact daily with justice‑involved individuals in designated housing areas and general program areas.
• Maintain program performance information for justice‑involved individuals involved in group or 1:1 programs.
• Attend justice‑involved council meetings and assist in facilitating group discussions.
• Assist justice‑involved individuals with requests related to incarceration, transfer to another correctional institution or upon release to the community.
• Assist inmates with deescalating conflicts.
• Counsel and assist justice‑involved individuals in group or 1:1; and provide emotional support, guidance, and/or referral to mental health and/or other staff to resolve problems and issues.
• Interview justice‑involved individuals to identify problems/issues and gather information to be used in determining case management or group work effectiveness.
• Confer with uniform and non‑uniform colleagues, provide information, and recommend modifications and/or adjustments to treatment plans as necessary.
• Provide correctional and guidance counseling as well as information and referral services.
• Assist in the planning, facilitation and monitoring of correctional programs.
• Implement rehabilitative and behavioral modification programs and services.
• Enforce behavioral modification programs and facility rules.
• Document inmate treatment progress, group interactions, and positive inmate behavior.
• Attend training sessions, workshops, and staff meetings to improve knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Complete Department mandatory in‑service trainings.
• Motivate inmates to maintain general sanitation and hygienic living quarters.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

ALL CANDIDATES MUST HAVE PERMANENTLY THE TITLE OF ASSOCIATE CORRECTIONAL COUNSELOR I OR MUST HAVE TAKEN THE EXAM.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of correctional staff.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, prepare written reports and documents.
• Knowledge of counseling techniques, behavior modification and intervention techniques.
• Ability to mentor and provide positive interaction, guidance and leadership to adult inmate populations.
• Excellent writing, communication, inter‑personal, analytical, research, problem‑solving, and organizational skills.
• Knowledge and understanding of effective supervision and leadership skills.

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55‑a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55‑a Program.

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.