Correctional Unit Supervisor

Washington State Health Care Authority; Shelton (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; 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 Corrections Center (WCC) in Shelton, WA seeks a mature Corrections Unit Supervisor to lead a living unit, supervise staff, and manage classification, safety, and program delivery. The role emphasizes accountability, policy adherence, and teamwork with community partners.

The successful candidate will ensure staff training, conduct investigations as needed, and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to support reentry goals and secure, humane operations within federal and state

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Two years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits) required with five years of corrections experience.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with related experience; three years of corrections experience and two years of supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated positive leadership in stress, conflict, and crisis situations.

Responsibilities

• Supervise staff and incarcerated individuals; inspect security devices and procedures.
• Oversee custody and security for living units, including training and equipment.
• Manage classification processes, risk reviews, court and policy compliance, and multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Ensure sanitation standards and timely completion of safety issues and documentation.
• Conduct investigations, plan, direct and monitor unit programs; mentor staff.

Skills

Leadership

Decision making

Conflict resolution

Education

High school diploma

Two years college (60 credits)

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Washington Corrections Center (WCC), Mason County - Shelton, WA
Department of Corrections, Prisons
Correctional Unit Supervisor (CUS)
DOC - Internal Only - Permanent

The Department of Corrections is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual for a Correctional Unit Supervisor (CUS) at Washington Corrections Center (WCC) in Shelton, Washington.

Washington Corrections Center 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.

Whether the work is inside a prison, in community corrections, or in an administrative office, the Washington State Department of Corrections professional staff experience a high degree of personal satisfaction knowing they are creating environments in which all incarcerated individuals can learn to make choices that contribute to a safer society.

The Department of Corrections (DOC), Prisons Division, in collaboration with its criminal justice partners, contributes to staff and community safety and holds incarcerated individuals accountable in administering criminal sanctions and effective reentry programs. The Correctional Unit Supervisor works collaboratively with the Correctional Program Manager (CPM) to develop an effective custody and classification program that is cost effective, productive, and safe.

The classification system is designed to promote incarcerated individuals’ participation in work, education, treatment, incarcerated change, and vocational programming in a manner that results in graduated release through a systematic decrease in supervision and corresponding increase in incarcerated individuals’ responsibility and reentry into the community. This position is critical in maintaining core correctional operations by ensuring living units operates safely and in ensuring classification staff prepare incarcerated individuals for reentry into the community through classification, assessment, program referral and release planning. This position works in collaboration with community corrections, courts, and local law enforcement agencies to ensure that incarcerated individuals under DOC supervision adhere to appropriate evidence-based programming through incarcerated individuals’ accountability, so that reentry back into the community is productive and safe.

Complete your application online at www.careers.wa.gov:

• A completed application packet will include:
  • - A cover letter outlining how you meet the qualifications for this position,
  • - A detailed chronological resume,
  • - 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.

Note: 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.

Responsibilities

Supervision of staff and incarcerated individuals, inspection and review of all security devices & procedures, emergency response procedures and preparedness, incarcerated individuals’ accountability, equipment and training in the unit.

Supervises all elements of custody and security that relate to the management of a living unit to include, but not limited to all security devices, security practices, emergency response procedures and preparedness, equipment, and training in the unit.

Supervises all elements related to the classification and programming of incarcerated individuals to include but not limited to recommending risk management levels, incarcerated individuals' accountability, custody assignment, approving regular reviews, targeting promotions and intakes, requesting classification overrides, ensuring counselor recommendations are consistent with current policy requirements, auditing caseloads to ensure time frames are being met, chairing Multi-Disciplinary Teams, ensuring staff training, and ensuring that Court/Department imposed sanctions are imposed and enforced if approved.

Ensures that the living unit sanitation level is consistent with expectations that are mandated by local, State, County, and Federal guideline, and local facility standards.

Ensures that all safety issues associated with the effective operation of the living unit are requested and completed in a timely manner that minimizes the impact of staff work areas and incarcerated living conditions.

Ensures that all elements mandated by Department policy directives, RCWs, WACs, and OMs are implemented and enforced.

Ensures proper documentation is completed in the areas of classification actions, incident reports, infraction reports, Performance and Development Plans, monthly performance reports, grievance investigations. Tort claim investigations, administrative segregation investigations, confidential information reports, equipment requests, leave requests and others.

Oversee infraction hearings and conduct classification reviews ensuring that all incarcerated individuals due process rights are acknowledged and enforced in an objective and impartial manner.

Conduct investigations, as directed, to address security, safety, and staff or incarcerated individuals’ behavior issues.

Conduct investigations as assigned by the Superintendent or PREA unit.

Plan, direct and monitor unit programs.

Recognize good performance and appropriate documents in the employee records. Assess staff individually for career development and provide training and/or rotational experiences.

Provide coaching and mentoring to staff and lead by example.

Monitor work performance; investigate and take appropriate corrective or recommend disciplinary action.

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent
• AND
• Seven years of juvenile or adult corrections experience in treatment, custody or community corrections or professional counseling or casework experience.
• OR
• Satisfactory completion of two years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits)
• AND
• Five years’ juvenile or adult corrections experience in treatment, custody or community corrections or professional counseling or casework experience
• OR
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
• AND
• Three years of juvenile or adult corrections experience in treatment, custody or community corrections or professional counseling or casework experience
• AND
• At least two years' experience as a supervisor. (This experience may be gained concurrently with the required experience above)

Demonstrated ability to provide positive leadership in times of stress, conflict, and unforeseen events. Remain calm and rational while handling difficult situation to include, but not limited to, volatile, threatening, or other crisis/emergency situations. Expertly intervene in response to threats.

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

• 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.

Desired

Working knowledge of DOC Policies, RCWs, WACs, and Operational Memoranda.

Working knowledge of incarcerated individual management and supervision, including behavior management, classification process, sanitation, security, and safety. Understanding of incarcerated individual programs including preparation of incarcerated individuals for transition back into society.

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.

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 (depending 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.