Classification Counselor 1

State of Washington; Shelton (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote/telework/flexible schedules

Up to 25 paid vacations days a year

8 hours of paid sick leave per month

12 paid holidays a year

Generous retirement plan

Flex Spending Accounts

Dependent Care Assistance

Deferred Compensation

Job summary

Washington State Department of Corrections at Washington Corrections Center in Shelton, WA seeks a Classification Counselor 1 to support safe operations and offender programming. You will lead in-person orientation, manage a small caseload, and perform risk assessments to aid housing and program decisions.

Ideal candidates hold a relevant degree or equivalent corrections experience, and demonstrate clear writing, data analysis, and adaptability in dynamic, high-stress environments within a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology, social work, criminology or closely related field.
• Or two years of college in those fields plus two years of related experience.
• Or four+ years of experience in adult/juvenile corrections, rehabilitation, or social casework.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate in-person state orientation for incarcerated individuals and prep materials for classroom use.
• Handle less difficult, screened caseloads managing programming and class needs.
• Investigate information to determine documentation, tracking and programming needs.
• Administer Risk Assessment Tools and PREA assessments with required timelines.
• Collect data to complete facility plans, criminal history portfolios, and risk profiles.
• Prepare and submit Release Plans and Mutual Agreement Plans with internal partners.
• Counsel and inform individuals on community resources and transitions.
• Enforce court-ordered conditions and document referrals per policy.
• Participate in risk management and multi-disciplinary teams; provide monthly reports.
• Maintain communication for critical needs including attorney calls and family contacts.

Skills

Written communication

Data analysis

Decision making

Organizational skills

Conflict resolution

Observation

Technology use

Stress tolerance

Professional standards

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in sociology/psychology/social work/criminology

Two years college + two years corrections/social casework

Four+ years experience in corrections/social casework

Job description

Classification Counselor 1 - Teamsters

Washington Corrections Center - Shelton, WA

Department of Corrections - Prisons

Full Time - Permanent

DOC Internal ONLY

Washington Corrections Center (WCC) is located 35 miles northwest of Olympia, the state capital. WCC is predominantly a Reception and Diagnostic Center, a close, medium-and long-term minimum custody facility. The facility has a primary responsibility to process, test, and classify all adult male incarcerated individuals sentenced to prison in Washington State. The facility has seven living units, compromised of 5 close custody reception units, and 3 medium and long-term minimum units. WCC houses approximately 1,800 incarcerated individuals. There are approximately 500 incarcerated individuals screened and processed each month. WCC also serves as a major transportation hub responsible for the transfer of incarcerated individuals to and from facilities throughout the state.

This is an entry-level position that is instrumental in assuring a safe environment for staff and the incarcerated population. This is accomplished through established uniform procedures for assessing the risk of sexual victimization and/or predation for all individuals under its jurisdiction and maintaining information for use in housing and program assignment decisions. The Classification Counselor 1 (CC1) position also assists with the facilitation of state orientation and receives a small, prescreened caseload, as incumbents in these positions typically perform the less difficult assignments.

• A current resume (indicating your related experience),
• A cover letter (preferably no more than two pages) describing how you meet the qualifications and why you are an ideal candidate for this position,
• Three (3) professional references.

Please note, an incomplete application package may disqualify you from the process.

We are looking for evidence in your application materials that you have the experience, skills, and abilities indicated in this job posting. Qualified applicants whose responses most closely match the requirements of this position may be invited to interview. Carefully review your application before submitting. All information may be verified and documentation may be required.

These duties will include but not be limited to:

• Facilitate in-person state orientation for all incarcerated individuals and prepare updated materials, assignments, and equipment for classroom use.
• Handle less difficult, screened caseloads, managing day-to-day individual programming, behaviors, and class material needs.
• Investigate all available information for arriving individuals to determine their specific documentation, tracking, and programming needs.
• Administer Risk Assessment Tools and PREA Risk Assessments (PRAs), ensuring all mandatory documentation is completed within required timelines.
• Collect data to complete facility plans, criminal history portfolios, and risk management profiles to determine security and programming needs.
• Prepare and submit Release Plans and Mutual Agreement Plans, coordinating with internal entities and other facilities for acceptance.
• Counsel and inform individuals regarding community resources and potential challenges they might encounter during transition to work release, supervision, or release.
• Enforce court-ordered conditions and impose DOC conditions, exercising sound judgment aligned with Department policy regarding sanctions and treatment referrals.
• Participate in Risk Management and multi-disciplinary teams, attend facility meetings, and provide monthly tracking reports.
• Maintain communication to assist individuals with critical needs, including attorney calls, DSHS child custody or court hearings, translator services, emergency family contact, and specialized paperwork (such as visits, outings, and End of Sentence Review Packets).

A bachelor’s degree involving major study in sociology, psychology, social work, criminology, or a closely related field.

OR

Satisfactory completion of two years of college in sociology, psychology, social work, criminology, or closely related field and two years of experience in adult corrections, juvenile corrections, rehabilitation, or social casework.

OR

Four or more years of experience in adult corrections, juvenile corrections, rehabilitation, or social casework.

Note: Corrections experience means your work involves dealing with incarcerated individuals the majority of the time.

In addition to at least one of the above, this position requires:

Ability to -

• Write clearly, factually, and concisely.
• Analyze and interpret data, weigh the risks, and make decisions or recommendations to address staff and offender needs.
• Identify and address offender behavior/needs.
• Organize and prioritize work.
• Apply conflict resolution skills.

Observation - Observes and strategizes personal action based on environmental conditions and human behavior.

Technology - Learns and utilizes computer-based applications in the performance of job duties.

Stress Tolerance - Remains calm and rational while handling difficult situations to include, but not limited to, volatile, threatening or other crisis/emergency situations. Expertly intervenes in response to threats.

Professional Standards - Knows and applies relevant law, policy, procedure, and practice. Adheres to established productivity standards and timelines. Identifies own training needs and proactively seeks training opportunities.

Adaptability - Incorporates new information into an existing framework of understanding. Accepts change and supports the Agency through changes in law, policy and procedure.

A completed application packet will include:

• A detailed chronological resume,
• A cover letter outlining how you meet the qualifications for this position,
• At least (3) three professional references

A professional reference is identified as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies. If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.

Incomplete application packages may disqualify an applicant from the application process.

We are looking for evidence in your application materials that you have the experience, skills, and abilities indicated in this job posting. Qualified applicants whose responses most closely match the requirements of this position may be invited to interview. Carefully review your application before submitting. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the application materials submitted.

Vision: Working together for safer communities.

Mission:Improving public safety by positively changing lives.

Our Commitment:To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.

Our Core Values:

1. Cultivate an environment of integrity and trust: Corrections values partnership and trust. We foster openness and support courageous conversations. We are committed to doing what we say we are going to do by being accountable and taking personal ownership in our actions.
2. Respectful and inclusive interactions: Corrections appreciates and values individuals by promoting an inclusive and diverse environment, which encourages safety. We respect, value, and listen to the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of our stakeholders and consider the impact on those we serve as well as each other.
3. People's safety: Corrections believes in creating an environment that values physical, mental, and emotional security and well-being. We honor those who advance safety for all.
4. Positivity in words and actions: At Corrections, we assume positive intentions and believe there is a shared desire for the best outcome. We consistently demonstrate positive behavior and always put forth our best effort.
5. Supporting people's success: Corrections is committed to our community – understanding individuals, instilling hope, embracing change, and providing opportunities.

DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.

Important Notes:

• This recruitment may be utilized to fill more than one position.
• Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies. If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates. Please note: Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.
• A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply.
• We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws. A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, will be disqualified from consideration.
• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire. When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment will also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.
• Foreign equivalent degrees awarded outside the United States must have a credential evaluation report attached to your application. You may request the required evaluation/documentation from www.wes.org and www.aice-eval.org. Until this documentation is provided, you will not be selected to move forward in the hiring process.
• DOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements for the federal employment eligibility verification form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form. https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
• DOC does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

What We Offer:

As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority. Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation. Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:

• Remote/telework/flexible schedules (dependent on position)
• Up to 25 paid vacations days a year
• 8 hours of paid sick leave per month
• 12 paid holidays a year
• Generous retirement plan
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Deferred Compensation and so much more!

PERS

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

OR

PSERS

Many DOC jobs are covered by the Public Safety Employees' Retirement System (PSERS). If someone moves from a Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) eligible position to a PSERS eligible position, they actually retire under two different systems/plans. For more information, please contact the Department of Retirement System at: 1-800-547-6657.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email [e-mail] or call us at 360-427-4617. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.