Psychiatric Care Technician-Advanced – Wisconsin Resource Center

Do you have an interest in improving community safety and wellness through supervision and support of mental health interventions for justice-involved individuals? Are you looking for an opportunity to earn a competitive wage, receive paid training, and have access to exceptional benefits?

This position is a phenomenal introduction to the operations of a secure treatment facility where you will be provided with a comprehensive classroom and on-the-job training experience.  There are several opportunities for growth and development in many areas of the facility. 

Wisconsin Resource Center (WRC) is recruiting to fill multiple Psychiatric Care Technician-Advanced (PCT-A) positions. Click here to learn more about PCT-A careers at WRC.

WRC is located in Winnebago, is the largest psychiatric facility in the state, and is the only secure treatment facility in Wisconsin that specializes in treating individuals with severe mental health conditions referred by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and the community.   

Come and work for the best!  WRC was recognized as the National Commission on Correctional Health Care’s 2022 Facility of the Year for its commitment to high quality resident care.

We have a great team of outstanding dedicated professionals and are always seeking to add new talent to our group.  We hope you will consider joining us in fulfilling our critical mission. 

As an employee of the State of Wisconsin, you'll have access to an amazing benefits package, including:

• 3.5 weeks of vacation, 9 paid holidays and ample sick time; limitations may apply for leave time usage in the first six months. 

• Top rated health plan options starting at $47/month for single plans and $117/month for family plans, after 2 months of state service. 

• Exceptional pension plan with a 14.35% employer match in 2027 with lifetime retirement payment. Plus, a tax advantaged supplemental retirement savings plan which allows you to save money directly from your paycheck for retirement. Use this Total Rewards Calculator to see the total value of our competitive benefits package!  

• Several flex spending accounts: medical, dependent care, commuter, parking and High-Deductible Health Savings.

• Well Wisconsin Wellness Program.

• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their immediate family dependents a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well-being.

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program employer.

Now hiring for evening and night-shift positions (available shift times are 2:00 pm to 10:30 pm and 10:15 pm to 6:15 am). All applicants must be willing and available to cover all shifts and work overtime when needed. Every effort will be made to accommodate your shift preference if you are selected for the position, but you will be required to work 2nd or 3rd shift.  

There is a 9-week mandatory training program (Pre-service Training) that all selected candidates must attend. While completing training, the hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Be advised that no vacation time will be granted during these first 9 weeks.

WRC is a maximum-security prison that operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year. At times, PCT-As may be forced to work overtime, sometimes on short notice.

As a PCT-A at WRC, you will be responsible for the following duties:

• Ensuring safety and security of the facility and environment and all those who work and live at WRC.

• Promoting respectful and responsible behavior in the residents.

• Assisting with implementation of individual care plans. 

• Assisting with the supervision and transfers of residents on and off the unit.

• Maintaining information in several computer software systems. 

In addition, classes and ongoing training is provided to develop and improve employee skills.

Residents at WRC have impairments in daily living as a result of mental health challenges. While PCT-As are there to help the residents, PCT-As may be exposed to verbal assaults, threatening comments, and physical aggression by the residents. PCT-As will be exposed to incapacitating agents and the risk of potentially being assaulted. 

This position will require you to work in close contact with the residents of WRC. This will involve gaining access to sensitive information regarding residents’ health, conditions, treatment, and other personal information. As a PCT-A, you are required to maintain confidentiality of resident information.

The starting pay is $37.08 per hour (approximately $77,100 annually) or more based on state seniority. Additional increases are based on years of service in the chart below. 

Years of State Service              Pay Rate

0                                        $37.08

1                                        $40.54

2                                        $41.95

3                                        $42.82

5                                        $43.69

10                                      $44.62

15                                      $45.58

20                                      $46.55
25                                      $47.55

• $.80 per hour night differential and an $.80 per hour weekend differential apply to worked shifts. 
• 12-month probationary period is required. The pay schedule and range is 05/32. Pay for current or former state employees will be set based on the rules that apply to compensation for the applicable transaction.

• All applicants who may be appointed to these positions will be required to allow DHS to conduct a background check to determine whether the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job being filled.
• All appointees will be required to receive a TB test, which will be administered by WRC or medical personnel approved by the facility within 30 days of the start date.
• DHS does not sponsor work visas for these positions, thus, in compliance with federal law, selected candidates will be required to verify eligibility to work in the United States by completing the required I-9 form upon hire.
• Individuals will be required to pass a physical fitness test and medical assessment (fitness for duty) prior to being selected. Individuals need to have the ability to perform complex motor skills, use specialized equipment, and lift 50 pounds several times a day. You will also need to be able to bend, twist, kneel and run during the workday. Appointment is contingent upon passing the Pre-Placement Screening. 
• After being appointed, a pre-service training program will be administered. Applicants must demonstrate academic proficiency by the end of the training program. During this training period, PCT-As will be certified in the use of incapacitating agents, which includes contamination with/exposure to the incapacitating agents Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) following classroom instruction.  
• All applicants who may be appointed will be required to allow DHS to conduct a background check to determine whether the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job being filled.  Applicants will not be eligible if they were convicted of a Barred Crime (as defined by Wisconsin Statutes, s. 48.685 and s. 50.065,), or if they were convicted of a crime that is not listed as a Barred Crime, but is substantially related to the position.
• Upon hire, all WRC employees are subject to fingerprinting.

This position requires the ability to drive a State vehicle. In order to become authorized to drive a State vehicle, you must meet the requirements for the State of Wisconsin Fleet Vehicle policy, which are: 

• Must have a valid driver's license;
• Must have minimum of two years non-probationary licensed driving experience with a regular (Class D) driver’s license;
• Must be 18 years of age.

Additionally, your driving record MUST NOT reflect any of the following conditions: 

• Three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents in the past two years;
• Operating While Intoxicated (OWI)/Driving Under the Influence (DUI) citation within the past 12 months;
• Suspension or revocation of driver's license.

Minimally qualified applicants will have all of the following:

• Must have the ability to work up to 16 hours per day and more than 40 hours per week on any shift based on daily operational needs. This may include weekends and holidays. 

• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding residents’ personal information.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and meet the requirements of the State of Wisconsin Fleet Vehicle Policy (in the job details section) to drive a state vehicle.

Well-qualified applicants will also have one or more of the following:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse population of inmates/residents. 
• Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries with inmates/residents.
• Ability to address/respond to/manage conflict or crisis situations with a calm and professional demeanor.
• Basic computer and mathematical skills.

Applying is easy! Click “Apply for Job” to start your application process.  Sign into your account or create an account before applying for the job. Follow the steps outlined in the application process to submit your application. 

Helpful Information: 

• Once your application is submitted, no changes are allowed. Click “Save” to allow changes to your application as needed before submitting by the deadline. 
• You may want to save a copy of the job posting for referencing after the deadline.
• Please monitor your email for communications related to this position. 
• Current or former permanent, classified, state employees must complete the online application process to be considered. 
• If viewing through an external site, please apply directly at Wisc.Jobs. 

For technical assistance and general information, please see Frequently Asked Questions. For questions about the position, to request a copy of the full position description, or for other employment inquiries, please contact [email protected].

DHS is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. Veterans are encouraged to apply. For complete information on Veterans’ hiring programs with the WI Department of Veteran’s Affairs, click here.

The deadline to apply is October 19th at 11:59 pm. 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to allow ample time to finalize their applications keeping in mind that technical assistance is only available Monday through Friday 7:45 am – 4:30 pm.  Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.