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Correctional Program Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$125K/yr

Specialized experience is directly related experience that included substantial involvement with a correctional program and provided a thorough knowledge of correctional techniques, or experience in ...

$125K/yr

Specialized experience is directly related experience that included substantial involvement with a correctional program and provided a thorough knowledge of correctional techniques, or experience in ...

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Correctional Program Specialist information

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$26.5K

$71.1K

$116.5K

How much do correctional program specialist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for correctional program specialist in the United States is $71,144.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $84,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest paying job in corrections?

In corrections, senior management roles such as Warden or Director of Corrections tend to be the highest paying positions, often earning six-figure salaries. These roles require extensive experience, leadership skills, and often advanced degrees or certifications in criminal justice or public administration.

What are some typical challenges faced by a Correctional Program Specialist, and how can new hires effectively navigate them?

Correctional Program Specialists often encounter challenges such as managing diverse inmate populations, balancing security protocols with rehabilitation efforts, and adapting to policy changes. New hires can navigate these challenges by building strong communication skills, staying up-to-date on correctional best practices, and collaborating closely with correctional officers, counselors, and external agencies. Proactive problem-solving and a commitment to ethical standards are also key to successfully supporting rehabilitation programs and ensuring facility operations run smoothly.

What does a program specialist do?

A Correctional Program Specialist develops, implements, and monitors rehabilitation and educational programs for inmates or offenders. They assess program effectiveness, ensure compliance with regulations, and collaborate with staff to support offender rehabilitation and community safety. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential in this role.

What Is a Correctional Program Specialist?

As a correctional program specialist, sometimes called a case manager, you develop, revise, and evaluate a correctional program and its procedures and guidelines while offering recommendations to improve policies. Your responsibilities include conducting research, identifying problems, determining the best ways to solve each issue, and writing detailed reports on your conclusions. These treatments are most often for an inmate released from prison or a patient in rehabilitation or psychological treatment. You may collaborate with various community services such as education and health when working with inmates. Other duties include performing administrative tasks and maintaining records of program operations.

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

To thrive as a Correctional Program Specialist, you need a background in criminal justice or social work, experience with case management, and often a bachelor's degree in a related field. Familiarity with offender management systems, data entry software, and risk assessment tools is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, critical thinking, and the ability to motivate and communicate effectively with diverse populations are essential soft skills. These competencies are vital for developing, implementing, and evaluating rehabilitation programs that promote offender success and maintain institutional safety.

What degree do you need to be a correctional treatment specialist?

Correctional treatment specialists typically need at least a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology, or a related field. Some positions may require a master's degree or additional certifications, especially for advanced or supervisory roles. Relevant skills include knowledge of correctional programs and case management.

What are Correctional Program Specialists?

Correctional Program Specialists are professionals who develop, implement, and evaluate rehabilitation and treatment programs within correctional facilities. They work to ensure that inmates have access to educational, vocational, and therapeutic services aimed at reducing recidivism and supporting successful reentry into society. These specialists often collaborate with correctional officers, counselors, and external agencies to assess inmate needs and monitor program effectiveness. Their work is crucial in promoting a safer, more rehabilitative environment within the justice system.

What does a correctional specialist do?

A correctional specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring rehabilitation programs for inmates, ensuring compliance with regulations and safety standards. They often assess inmates' needs, coordinate services, and work with staff to support inmate reintegration into the community. Strong communication skills and knowledge of criminal justice are essential for this role.
What cities are hiring for Correctional Program Specialist jobs? Cities with the most Correctional Program Specialist job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Correctional Program Specialist jobs? The top employers for Correctional Program Specialist jobs are:
What states have the most Correctional Program Specialist jobs? States with the most job openings for Correctional Program Specialist jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Correctional Program Specialist jobs? For Correctional Program Specialist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Correctional Program Specialist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 7% Contract, and 3% Summer. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,144 per year, or $34.2 per hour.
CORRECTIONS PROGRAM SPECIALIST II - DOWNTOWN, OAHU

CORRECTIONS PROGRAM SPECIALIST II - DOWNTOWN, OAHU

State of Hawai'i

Honolulu, HI

$6.2K - $8.8K/mo

Other

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

Recruitment Information Recruitment Number 26-0219 THIS JOB POSTING WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL 25 APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY AS THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. Salary: $6,221 to $7,568 per month (SR-24, Step D to I) Note: Hiring rates will be based on availability of funds, the applicant's qualifications, and other relevant factors. Duties Summary The Corrections Program Specialist series includes all classes of positions the duties of which are to perform staff services to management by performing program development and evaluation, policy review and recommendation, and studies of management, organization, staffing and related concerns relative to all aspects of the State's Corrections program.

The Corrections Program Specialist II develops program plans; develops, revises and evaluates policies, programs, procedures, standards and guidelines for the correctional program; and performs other related duties as assigned. This level reflects responsibility for performing the most difficult and complex program development and evaluation, policy review and recommendation, and studies of management, organization, staffing and related concerns relative to all aspects of a corrections program. Minimum Qualification Requirements To qualify, you must meet all of the following requirements: Legal Authorization to Work: The State of Hawaii requires all persons seeking employment with the government of the State shall be citizens, nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States, or eligible under federal law for unrestricted employment in the United States.

Basic Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a MAJOR in sociology, psychology, criminology, penology or other related behavioral science which included coursework in research or statistics. Excess General or Specialized Experience as described below, or any other progressively responsible administrative or professional work experience which provided knowledge, skills and abilities comparable to those acquired in four years of successful study while completing a college curriculum in one of the previously cited majors may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis. To be acceptable, the experience must have been of such scope, level and quality as to assure the possession of comparable knowledge, skills and abilities.

The education or substitutable experience background in sociology, criminology, penology, psychology or other related behavioral science MUST have included, but need not have been limited to, a basic theoretical knowledge of the general principles dealing with human behavior; counseling; current state of practice and concepts in corrections programs; and principles and methods of research or statistics. General Experience: Two and one-half (2-1/2) years of progressively responsible professional counseling or other related social services work experience which demonstrated the applicant's knowledge of and application of modern theories, techniques and practices in corrections work as they relate to redirection and rehabilitation. Such work experience may have been obtained in any agency concerned with reduction of criminals (e.g., courts, corrections or public/private rehabilitation organization)

At least six (6) months of this experience must have demonstrated the applicant's aptitude for the performance of full-time program/staff specialist work in corrections. Evidence of such ability may be demonstrated through participating or assisting in the planning, coordinating or development of programs or program activities requiring the conduct of research and analysis and the application of problem-solving methods and techniques including the identification of problems and pertinent casual factors, development and evaluation of alternative solutions, recommendation/implementation of appropriate courses of action and the preparation of narrative reports describing the problem or situation, various factors impinging upon the situation, presentation of alternatives and recommendation and justification of an appropriate solution. Specialized Experience: ONE (1) year of professional work as a program specialist which required knowledge of modern theories, techniques and practices in corrections work and their application in the conduct of studies for the evaluation and analysis of program objectives, goals, policies, procedures, operations, standards and guidelines, the recommendation of changes for improvement of same and advising on the implementation of changes.

Driver's License: Some positions require possession of a valid driver's license at the time of appointment. The current vacancy positions have this requirement. Substitutions Allowed: Relevant substitutions as described in the Minimum Qualification Requirements, will apply.

Please review the Substitutions carefully. The information provided above represents a summary of the complete Minimum Qualification Requirements. To view the Requirements in their entirety, please CLICK HERE.

03547:121115:13:AS Other Information The State of Hawai'i complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations in completing an application, any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please call 808-587-0936 for assistance. PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS (PSLF) PROGRAM The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans.

To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please click: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS The Department of Human Resources Development (HRD) will use electronic mail (email) to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of their applications as part of our ongoing efforts to increase operational efficiency, promote the conservation of green resources, and minimize delays and costs. Please ensure that the email address and contact information you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you

We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails or fail to check your email-box in a timely manner. In addition, please be aware that you may no longer receive notification about applications submitted if you choose to disable the Job Application Emails feature in your Account Settings. TESTING INFORMATION The examination for this recruitment will be conducted on an unassembled basis where the examination score is based on an evaluation and rating of your education and experience.

It is therefore important that your employment application provide a clear and detailed description of the duties and responsibilities of each position you held. In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawaii may be required at the discretion of the hiring agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing is a requirement, applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are referred to the vacancy must be available to participate in person and at their own expense in this required phase of the selection process.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. In addition to employment availability and score, the referral of qualified applicants may be based upon other factors including date of receipt of application. CLICK HERE for Important Information about Equal Employment Opportunity, the Merit Civil Service System, Citizenship and other requirements, Reasonable Accommodation, Veterans Preference, Examination Requirements, and the State Recruiting Office's Levels of Review.