CORRECTIONS SPECIALIST 4

State of Washington; Kennewick (WA); On-site; USD 79,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote/telework options

Flexible schedules

Paid vacation

Job summary

The Department of Corrections (DOC) in Kennewick seeks a Corrections Specialist 4 for the Partial Confinement Screening & Transition Unit. This internal transfer role focuses on identifying incarcerated individuals for partial confinement and reentry pathways, coordinating with internal partners and external stakeholders, and maintaining process documentation.

Responsibilities include screening, reporting, transfer orders, desk manual development, and tracking outcomes across GRE and Reentry

Qualifications

• Four (4) years/ experience as a Community Corrections Officer, Correctional Specialist or Classification Counselor within the Washington State Department of Corrections.
• A Bachelor’s degree from a college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the CHEA or the US Department of Education.
• Equivalent combination of qualifying experience and education totaling seven (7) years.
• One year experience screening cases for partial confinement or two years experience as a Corrections Specialist in the Partial Confinement Screening & Transition Unit or three years experience as a case manager (in the last 5 years) within the Washington State Department of Corrections which includes development or approval of Custody Facility Plans with recommendations for promotion and demotion of custody levels and at least three of the following: Writing reports; Assessing cases and making recommendations; Referring people to appropriate resources; Presenting cases in court, hearings or to a committee.

Responsibilities

• Identify eligible incarcerated individuals for participation in partial confinement programs; Graduated Reentry and Reentry Centers.
• Develop and maintain process of identification, screening, and selection of incarcerated individuals for Reentry Center and GRE placement.
• Interview and prepare for reentry pathways; work with internal and external stakeholders for reentry pathway.
• Complete documentation of decisions and update and maintain internal tracking systems.
• Prepare and approve transfer orders for movement of individuals into the GRE and Reentry Center program(s).
• Work with Supervisor to create and maintain a desk manual detailing processes and procedures associated with Reentry Center and GRE programs.
• Track individuals going to Reentry Centers and GRE placements at specified custody levels.
• Maintain internal /external communication processes to inform interested parties of the Reentry Center and GRE programs and their effectiveness.
• Prioritize screening based on target eligibility list and requested transfer orders.
• Obtain participant agreement confirmation for approved individuals.
• Submit requests for substance use disorder assessments and level of care.
• Screen from a list provided by RDA of statute eligible incarcerated individuals.
• Provide information to staff in the Reentry Center and GRE Units as well as educate internal and external stakeholders.
• Facilitate meetings and committees to process referrals for consideration of Reentry Center and GRE placement.
• Communicate and train staff regarding expectations and processes for graduated reentry and reentry center placement.
• Share knowledge of reentry best practices.
• Develop strategies with staff to create successful reentry pathways for people.
• Ensure ethical behavior and the efficient and effective use of state resources.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical thinking

Judgment and problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Equivalent combination of qualifying experience and education

Job description

WFSE Article 4.7 Internal Transfer Opportunity - Corrections Specialist 4 - Partial Confinement Screening & Transition Unit

Salary: $7,066-$9,506 Monthly

Position SR77

Comprehensive Case Management

Kennewick, WA

The Department of Corrections (DOC) has one permanent, full-time Corrections Specialist 4 (CS4) opening available in the Partial Confinement Screening & Transition Unit. Position SR77 is located in Kennewick, WA.

The Department's mission is to improve public safety through positively changing lives. This position will develop, maintain, and implement a process of identification, screening, and selection of incarcerated individuals to transfer to partial confinement to include Reentry Centers and electronic home monitoring as part of the GRE program in the community. Individuals approved for partial confinement thru the screening process are participating in Reentry Services as identified by this position. This includes working with incarcerated individuals, families, community agencies, other state agencies, cross divisional collaboration, to support Reentry Centers and Graduated Reentry. This position supports the Community Corrections and Reentry Division purpose to provide people with focused opportunities for success.

The work schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Work hours are determined by unit needs and are at the discretion of the unit supervisor. If you are currently working an alternate work schedule, please be aware that these positions may not be able to honor that schedule. For questions, please contact the Human Resource Office.

In accordance with Article 4.7 of the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) 2023-25 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), this job opening is available to internal transfer candidates ONLY. Employees who meet the following criteria may apply:

• You are requesting a transfer under Article 4.7 of the WFSE CBA.
• You are a permanent DOC employee.
• You currently hold permanent status in the class being recruited for in this jobposting.
• You are currently in a position represented by WFSE.

Note, per the CBA:

• If you requested transfer under Article 4.7 and you refused the offer, you cannot request another Article 4.7 transfer for 12 months.
• If you have accepted a transfer under Article 4.7 you are not eligible to request another transfer under this Article for 24 months.

For more information or questions about this opportunity, please email [e-mail] or call 360-974-9706.

Duty: Identify eligible incarcerated individuals for participation in partial confinement programs; Graduated Reentry and Reentry Centers.

Tasks include:

• Review electronic documentation, interview incarcerated individuals, seek information from internal and external partners in order to approve individuals for transfer to partial confinement or complete a written report when recommending a denial for transfer to partial confinement.
• Develop and maintain process of identification, screening, and selection of incarcerated individuals for Reentry Center and/or GRE placement. This includes working cross divisionally within the Agency.
• Interview and prepare for reentry pathways; work with Internal and external stakeholders for reentry pathway.
• Complete documentation of decisions made and update and maintain internal tracking systems.
• Prepare and approve transfer orders for movement of individuals into the GRE and Reentry Center program(s).
• Responsible for policy review.
• Work with Supervisor to create and maintain a desk manual detailing processes and procedures associated with Reentry Center and GRE programs.
• Track individuals going to Reentry Centers (custody levels MI1 and MIG) at 12 months for those who are targeted reentry center placement and GRE (custody level MIR) at 5 months or 18 months for those transferring directly to electronic monitoring.
• Maintain internal /external communication processes to inform interested parties of the Reentry Center and GRE programs and their effectiveness.
• Prioritize screening based on target eligibility list and requested transfer orders.
• Work with classification counselors to determine appropriate reentry center location when needed.
• Obtain participant agreement confirmation for approved individuals.
• Submit requests for substance use disorder assessments and level of care.
• Screen from a list provided by RDA of statute eligible incarcerated individuals.

Duty: Provide information to staff in the Reentry Center and GRE Units as well as educate internal and external stakeholders.

Tasks include:

• Work collaboratively with CCD, Reentry, Health Services, Research and Data and Prison Divisions to share program criteria, pathway, and procedures.
• Facilitate meetings and committees to process referrals for consideration of Reentry Center and GRE placement.
• Communicate and train staff regarding expectations and processes for graduated reentry and reentry center placment.
• Share knowledge of reentry best practices.
• Develop strategies with staff to create successful reentry pathways for people.
• Ensure ethical behavior and the efficient and effective use of state resources.

Duty: Communication with Stakeholders, Community, and Incarcerated Individuals.

Tasks include:

• Meets with Administrators and Supervisor regarding strategies and evidence-based practices associated with the Reentry Center and GRE Programs.
• Develop draft procedures for state-wide application of the Reentry Center and GRE screening.
• Conduct presentations at DOC facilities to staff and the incarcerated individual population for education and procedural training/information.
• Work in conjunction with Administrators in development of website, publications, and other educational materials.

Required qualifications:

Four (4) years/ experience as a Community Corrections Officer, Correctional Specialist or Classification Counselor within the Washington State Department of Corrections.

OR

A Bachelor’s degree from a college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the US Department of Education.

OR

Equivalent combination of qualifying experience and education totaling seven (7) years.

AND

One year experience screening cases for partial confinement or two years experience as the a Corrections Specialist in the Partial Confinement Screening & Transition Unit or three years experience as a case manager (in the last 5 years) within the Washington State Department of Corrections which includes development or approval of Custody Facility Plans with recommendations for promotion and demotion of custody levels and at least three of the following:

• Writing reports
• Assessing cases and making recommendations
• Referring people to appropriate resources
• Presenting cases in court, hearings or to a committee

*Professional case management includes activities such as: assessment of risk factors; designing, monitoring, and/or facilitating treatment plans; determining and making referrals to resources as appropriate (chemical dependency, substance abuse, family counseling, job training assistance, etc.); maintaining official records and tracking client progress/compliance.

In addition to the above, this position requires demonstrated competency in the following areas (competency may be gained through education, experience, or a combination thereof):

• Community Relationships - Participates in the formation and maintenance of successful relationships with criminal justice partners, other state agencies, and community resources.
• Observation - Observes and strategizes personal response based on environmental conditions and human behavior.
• 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 community corrections related law, policy, procedure, and practice. Adheres to productivity standards and timelines established by law and policy. 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.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree from a college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the US Department of Education.

AND

Two years experience screening cases for partial confinement or three years experience as the a Corrections Specialist in the Partial Confinement Screening & Transition Unit or three years experience as a case manager (in the last 5 years) within the Washington State Department of Corrections which includes development or approval of Custody Facility Plans with recommendations for promotion or demotion of custody levels and at least three of the following:

• Writing reports
• Assessing cases and making recommendations
• Referring people to appropriate resources
• Presenting cases in court, hearings or to a committee

*Professional case management includes activities such as: assessment of risk factors; designing, monitoring, and/or facilitating treatment plans; determining and making referrals to resources as appropriate (chemical dependency, substance abuse, family counseling, job training assistance, etc.); maintaining official records and tracking client progress/compliance.

Core Competencies for All Employees

All staff entering into employment with the Department of Corrections must possess the following competencies at the time of hire: Safety, Treats Others with Respect and Courtesy, Dependability, Accountability, Judgement and Problem Solving, Leadership, Communication, Relationship Building, Ethos and Integrity, and Embracing Diversity and Cultural Differences.

The mission of DOC is Improving public safety by positively changing lives

For additional information about the agency, please visit doc.wa.gov.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

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. Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.

-Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. 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 in close proximity to 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 may also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.

-This position may be represented by a Union Shop.

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

We are committed to hiring individuals who possess core diversity competencies: Foster a positive attitude and openness toward the ever changing social and cultural makeup of the workplace. Work effectively with people of different perspectives, abilities, disabilities, races, religions, ages, genders, sexual orientations, and social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Respectfully acknowledge people’s differences and recognize these differences as important and valuable. Promote inclusiveness. Be culturally sensitive and appropriate. Respect and value diverse backgrounds and traditions.

What we offer:

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

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.

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 on the first day of employment.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email Alaina Olson, Human Resource Consultant, at [e-mail]. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.