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Correctional Counselor Jobs in Decatur, GA (NOW HIRING)

Community Outreach Worker

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$16.50 - $21.50/hr

... inside correctional facilities with inmates. 6. Monitors and records participant data into ... REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 1. Be certified as a Peer Recovery Counselor/Certified ...

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Correctional Counselor information

See Decatur, GA salary details

$32.7K

$61.4K

$81K

How much do correctional counselor jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for correctional counselor in Decatur, GA is $61,438.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,200.00 and $69,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Correctional Counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Correctional Counselor, you need a background in psychology, social work, or criminal justice, typically supported by a relevant degree and sometimes state certification. Familiarity with case management software, behavioral assessment tools, and documentation systems is often required. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and conflict resolution abilities help build trust and effectively guide inmate rehabilitation. These skills are essential for promoting successful reintegration, reducing recidivism, and maintaining safety within correctional facilities.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

Correctional counselors typically do not earn $2,000 a day; their salaries are usually much lower, often ranging from $40,000 to $80,000 annually. High-paying jobs that can reach $2,000 a day generally include specialized roles such as senior corporate executives, certain medical specialists, or successful entrepreneurs, often requiring advanced skills, certifications, or significant experience.

What are some common challenges faced by Correctional Counselors when working with incarcerated individuals?

Correctional Counselors often encounter challenges such as building trust with inmates, addressing complex behavioral and emotional issues, and managing heavy caseloads. Establishing rapport can be difficult given the institutional environment and the diverse backgrounds of incarcerated individuals. Additionally, counselors must balance the needs of the individuals they support with institutional safety protocols, requiring strong interpersonal skills and resilience. Successful counselors use evidence-based techniques and collaborate closely with correctional staff and outside agencies to help inmates successfully rehabilitate and prepare for reentry.

What type of counseling gets paid the most?

In the counseling field, clinical or mental health counselors with advanced licenses, such as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), tend to earn higher salaries. Specialized counseling areas like substance abuse, marriage and family therapy, or trauma counseling often offer higher pay, especially with additional certifications and experience.

What are Correctional Counselors?

Correctional Counselors are professionals who work within correctional facilities to help inmates address personal, behavioral, and emotional issues. They assess inmates' needs, develop rehabilitation plans, provide counseling, and facilitate programs aimed at reducing recidivism. Their role often includes helping inmates prepare for reintegration into society by teaching skills, offering support, and coordinating with external agencies. Correctional Counselors play a key part in promoting safety and rehabilitation within the correctional system.

Is being a correctional counselor hard?

Correctional counselors often face challenging environments, working with offenders in secure facilities and managing complex behavioral issues. The job requires strong communication skills, emotional resilience, and adherence to safety protocols, which can make it demanding but also rewarding for those committed to rehabilitation efforts.

What is the difference between Correctional Counselor vs Probation Officer?

AspectCorrectional CounselorProbation Officer
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, psychology, or social work; licensure may be preferredRequires a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, social work, or related field; some positions may require certification
Work EnvironmentWorks within correctional facilities, prisons, or detention centersWorks in community settings, courts, or probation offices
Employer & IndustryEmployers include correctional institutions, detention centers, and prisonsEmployers include courts, probation departments, and community agencies

Correctional Counselors and Probation Officers both work within the criminal justice system and require similar educational backgrounds. Correctional Counselors focus on inmates within correctional facilities, providing counseling and rehabilitation services. Probation Officers supervise offenders in the community, ensuring compliance with court orders. While their roles differ in setting and specific duties, both professions aim to reduce recidivism and support offender rehabilitation.

How do you become a correctional counselor?

To become a correctional counselor, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, psychology, social work, or a related field. Relevant experience, such as internships or work in social services, and strong communication and interpersonal skills are also important; some positions may require certification or licensing depending on the jurisdiction.
What are popular job titles related to Correctional Counselor jobs in Decatur, GA? For Correctional Counselor jobs in Decatur, GA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Correctional Counselor jobs in Decatur, GA look for? The top searched job categories for Correctional Counselor jobs in Decatur, GA are:
What cities near Decatur, GA are hiring for Correctional Counselor jobs? Cities near Decatur, GA with the most Correctional Counselor job openings:
Statewide Medical Director - Central Office - Decatur, GA (ADM)

Statewide Medical Director - Central Office - Decatur, GA (ADM)

State of Georgia

Decatur, GA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


State Of Georgia rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 82 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

31st of 50 rated states


Job description

Job Summary:
Under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner, Division of Treatment and Care (DTC), Office of Health Services (OHS) oversees the delivery of health care services and handles statewide functions such as technical assistance, training, policy development, contract management and monitoring, budget development and monitoring.
Serves as advisor on medical issues to the Commissioner and executive leadership; responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of medical and dental services delivered by the DJJ employees and vendors for youth placed in DJJ secure facilities as well as administrative oversight of such services; Oversees the strategic development of Office's goals and objectives, policies and procedures to accomplish the Mission of the Agency; Provides administrative oversight for all medical services provided to the youth within the DJJ secure facilities; Serves as the medical authority for the Agency; Monitors the delivery of medical services and takes action to improve those services as necessary; Guides the development of medical and other health care polices and standard operating procedures for the Office of Health Services. Ensures compliance with federal, state laws and regulations; Serves as an active member of DTC senior leadership team; Keeps Deputy Commissioner of Treatment and Care apprised of the status of health care services delivery department wide.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
  • Directly supervises designated staff, provides counseling and discipline as necessary; Participates in the recruitment and selection of staff and contractors providing clinical or related services as may be required; provides input on the assessment of staffing needs and approves staffing patterns; provides input concerning standards for monitoring the qualifications of department medical staff and contractors to ensure the delivery of community standard medical services; serves at the liaison between DJJ and contractors and vendors.
  • Chairs or participates in various committees to include Pharmacy and Therapeutics; Works with the central office Continuing Quality Improvement program in reviewing medical occurrences, identifying problems, recommending corrective action plans, and guiding the development of training programs. Execute all duties as described for the Statewide Medical Director as provided by the Department's Policies and Procedures.
  • Participates in various task force, teams, and professional organizations, both internally and externally. Participates as liaison between DJJ and outside agencies, governmental units and the general public on issues related to medical services; investigates and responds to complaints regarding the delivery of medical services within the department.
  • Serves as care coordinator for all in-patient hospital admissions. Obtains medical status updates from hospital staff and disseminates information to designated DJJ team members. Arranges discharge planning needs of the patient
  • Ensures that health services meet the most current Standards for Health Services in Juvenile Detention and Confinement Facilities, published by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) and American Correctional Association (ACA) standards, and federal and state regulations.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Medical degree recognized by the Georgia Composite Medical Board (GCMB) AND licensure or license eligible to practice medicine at a state institution or in the state of Georgia as provided by state law AND Three years of experience in the lower-level Physician 3 (HCP162) or position equivalent

Preferred Qualifications
  • Active unobstructive medical license as issued by the Georgia Composite State Board of Medical Examiners, current DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) registration, Board Certified or Board eligible in primary care specialty (Family Practice, Pediatrics, or Preventive Medicine preferred), CPR certification, and 3-5 years Correctional Health Care experience as a physician in a juvenile facility/system and/or experience in the health care of adolescents. A Master of Public Health (MPH) is preferred or experience in public health, such as disease investigation or infectious disease control. Health Administration experience such as Medicaid billing; staffing and clinic assessments; staff education and training; and policy development are also preferred qualifications.

Note: The above job description represents the general nature, primary duties and responsibilities, and qualifications for the work performed by the employees within this job is not a comprehensive and exhaustive list. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned and specific duties, responsibilities, and activities within the core nature of the job may change at any time with or without notice. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the job, as specified by the employing entity, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Benefits:
In addition to a competitive salary & benefits, GA Department of Juvenile Justice is part of a statewide initiative called Total Rewards that seeks to attract and retain employees by supplementing their base pay and benefits with programs designed to improve the quality of their work environment and lead to greater job satisfaction and work/life balance. Eligible employees are offered generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave. We are a qualified employer for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
For more information, visit https://djj.georgia.gov/Online-Applications/employee-benefits
THIS IS AN INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
THIS IS AN UNCLASSIFIED POSITION.
THE SELECTED APPLICANT FOR THE POSITION WILL BE SUBJECT TO A REFERENCE CHECK AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK, WHERE APPLICABLE
PLEASE INCLUDE ALL RELEVANT JOB INFORMATION ON THE APPLICATION FOR CONSIDERATION.
ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE PRESCREENED.
DJJ IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Medical degree recognized by the Georgia Composite Medical Board (GCMB) and licensure or license-eligible to practice medicine at a state institution or in the state of Georgia as provided by state law and three (3) years of experience at the lower level Physician 3 (HCP162) or position equivalent.

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