Corrections Program Specialist

Wisconsin Department of Corrections; Kenosha (WI); Hybrid; USD 67,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision, and life ins.

Pension plan with employer match

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

457 retirement savings plan

Job summary

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Division of Community Corrections, seeks a Corrections Program Specialist to develop and operate the state's Sex Offender Registry (SOR). Under supervision, you monitor, investigate, verify compliance and coordinate statewide case management for registrants, including those with federal, military, or tribal convictions.

The role requires testimony in hearings, analysis of statutes, and collaboration with law enforcement, prosecutors, and public agencies.

Qualifications

• Interpreting and implementing laws, policies and procedures (e.g. evaluating needs, issue/problem identification, proposing solutions)
• Providing training, technical assistance, or program consultation to criminal justice agencies, community-based organizations, professionals, public, or supervisors
• Investigating and/or experience with fact-finding procedures, methods, or case development/management

Responsibilities

• Develop and operate the statewide Sex Offender Registry (SOR) and related programs.
• Monitor, investigate, verify and ensure compliance with Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification laws and policies.
• Prepare detailed investigative reports and testify in hearings (preliminary, bench and jury) as needed.
• Liaise with law enforcement, prosecutors, and public agencies; provide technical support and outreach.
• Manage case oversight with caseloads up to 500 registrants and coordinate with multiple jurisdictions.

Skills

Legal interpretation

Training & coaching

Investigation & case development

Program management

Court testimony

Public speaking

Job description

Position Summary

Under the general supervision of the Corrections Services Supervisor, Division of Community Corrections (DCC), this position is responsible for the development and operations of the Department's statewide Sex Offender Registry (SOR).

Set forth in Wisconsin State Statute 301.45 and 301.46, the Corrections Program Specialist is responsible for monitoring, investigating, verifying and all aspects of client compliance with the requirements Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification law, administrative rules and related DOC policies, procedures and Federal law. Responsible for multiple county oversight with caseloads that may exceed 500 registrants. Investigation and tracking of registrants throughout the state and across the nation who are determined to be in non-compliance with the law, including registrants with convictions in Federal, Military and Tribal courts, as well as other state jurisdictions. Preparation of detailed investigative reports, provide sufficient written documentation and swear out complaints to County District Attorney's office, or other State, Federal or controlling agency, to pursue prosecution for violations of the registration law. Appear on behalf of the Department of Corrections to testify in preliminary hearings as well as bench and jury trials. Provide testimony at DCC revocation hearings. Interpretation of Judgment of Conviction information on new or returning registrants as well as registrants who plan to live, work or attend school in Wisconsin. Analyze state statutes and consult with the Office of Legal Counsel in complex cases. This position provides a broad range of technical knowledge and assistance regarding the Sex Offender Registry, related laws, policies and procedures and serves as a liaison to law enforcement, other criminal justice agencies, human service agencies, community-based organizations and the general public. This technical knowledge is also provided to other Department of Corrections divisions including DCC, Division of Adult Institutions (DAI), and Division of Juvenile Corrections (DJC). Responds to inquiries via in-person, phone, email or text from registrants and their support systems, law enforcement, federal agencies, community stakeholders and the general public regarding registry issues.

This position provides a primary role in working with law enforcement officials in problem-solving and implementing case-specific community notification plans related to Special Bulletin Notification (SBN) cases. Establishes and maintains case management activities in the statewide Sex Offender Registry Tool tracking/evaluation system to monitor client’s activities as well as determine the impact and effectiveness of the registration and community notification processes.

This position may be responsible for assisting with the ongoing operations of the Department’s statewide Global Positioning System (GPS) in conjunction with the electronic monitoring center. This position may be responsible for screening, monitoring, verifying and reporting of client compliance with the requirements set forth in Wisconsin State Statute 301.48 (GPS for Certain Clients) and Wisconsin State Statute 301.45 and 301.46 (Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification), as well as administrative rules, policies and procedures and Federal law. This position provides a broad range of technical assistance, education and community outreach.

This position may be responsible for the administration of the Pharmacological Treatment Program and Polygraph Program.

Salary Information

This position is in pay schedule/range 12-63 with an annual salary of $67329-$92643, plus excellent benefits. Pay on appointment for current state employees may vary according to the applicable pay transaction provisions of the State Compensation Plan, Wisconsin Administrative Code, and statutes. A twelve-month probationary period is required.

In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, we offer a competitive benefits package featuring:

• Substantial leave time including at least 3.5 weeks of vacation to start, nine paid holidays, and ample accrued sick time that rolls over each year.
• Insurance: Excellent and affordable health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• An exceptional pension plan with employer match and lifetime retirement payment
• An optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan
• DOC is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
• The Well Wisconsin Program helps participants set health and well-being goals, track progress, stay motivated, and earn incentives.
• Our 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

To help you understand what your benefit package would be worth, please see the Total Rewards Calculator here.

Job Details

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the U.S., a lawful permanent resident, or an alien authorized to work in the U.S. without DOC sponsorship) at the time of application.

The Department of Corrections will conduct criminal background checks on applicants prior to selection. Upon hire, all new DOC employees are subject to fingerprinting. Any applicant who is offered employment in a position which requires a pre-employment drug screen must pass the screen as a contingency of employment.

NOTE: This position has the ability to work remote based on the department needs. The position involves job duties that regularly require in-person work in DCC Offices, law enforcement agencies, courts, and other areas.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed below will be evaluated in the first step of the selection process and must be clearly described in the letter of qualification and resume:

Minimally Qualified Applicants Will Have Experience

• Interpreting and implementing laws, policies and procedures (e.g. evaluating needs, issue/problem identification, proposing solutions)
• Providing training, technical assistance, or program consultation to criminal justice agencies, community-based organizations, professionals, public, or supervisors
• Investigating and/or experience with fact-finding procedures, methods, or case development/management

In addition to the above, well qualified applicants will have experience:

• Program management and/or monitoring (e.g. verifying compliance with program requirements and/or reviewing outcomes or clients, etc.)
• Providing court testimony
• Speaking in public to large and small audiences

Special Requirement: Ability to travel and work flexible hours as needed.

Deadline to Apply

Online applications and materials must be submitted by 11:59pm on October 29, 2026.

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