Hearings Investigator 3

State of Washington; Lacey (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; 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

11 paid holidays a year

Generous retirement plan

Flex Spending Accounts

Dependent Care Assistance

Deferred Compensation

Job summary

The State of Washington, Department of Corrections, Indeterminate Sentence Review Board in Lacey, WA is seeking a Hearings Investigator 3 for a 12‑month, full‑time, non‑permanent assignment. This position supports ISRB with case analysis, recommendations on release, revocation and/or continued incarceration, and requires working within RCW and WAC frameworks.

The successful candidate will independently investigate complex cases, prepare detailed reports, maintain a statewide caseload, and assist

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public administration, or related field from an accredited institution.
• Five years of experience conducting case analysis and investigations for a criminal justice agency or court.
• Three years of supervisory experience over offenders convicted of felony crimes.

Responsibilities

• Independently conducts investigations and analyses for release and violation hearings.
• Maintains a statewide caseload and provides expert analysis to Board Members.
• Prepares written reports documenting findings and recommendations.

Skills

Case analysis experience

Pre-sentence investigations

Criminal investigations

Independent judgment

Education

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice or related field

Job description

Hearings Investigator 3

Indeterminate Sentence Review Board (ISRB) — Teamsters - Non-Permanent — *INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY* — Lacey, WA

The Department of Corrections (DOC) is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual for a Hearings Investigator 3 position in ISRB. This is a non‑permanent, full‑time position, expected to last 12 months, located in Lacey, Washington.

This position is only open to applicants currently employed with the DOC.

The hiring authority reserves the right to convert this position to permanent status should long-term funding be secured. Additionally, this non‑permanent posting may be used in the future to fill possible permanent vacancies.

Whether the work is inside a prison, in community corrections, or in an administrative office, the Washington State DOC 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 DOC, as a partner in the criminal justice system, enhances public safety, administers criminal sanctions and programs in accordance with the law, and provides leadership for the future of corrections in Washington State. The DOC consists of the Office of the Secretary, the Office of the Deputy Secretary, Prisons Division, Offender Change Division, Community Corrections Division, Administrative Operations Division, Health Services Division, Correctional Industries, Reentry Division and the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board. The DOC employs over 8,200 staff and has a biennial budget of approximately $1.8 billion.

The ISRB merged with the Department of Corrections on July 1, 2011. The Chair and four Board Members are appointed by the Governor to serve five year terms. ISRB staff support the Board by providing case analysis, maintaining incarcerated individuals’ records, and providing administrative assistance to the Chair and Board Members.

The Hearings Investigator provides critical information and support to the ISRB that contributes to the Agency's mission to improve public safety and enables the ISRB to fulfill its statutory and constitutional requirements as a division of DOC.

This position works closely with the ISRB Chair and Board Members to provide comprehensive analysis, summaries and recommendations on complex, difficult and sensitive cases which give the ISRB the ability to make informed decisions in regards to release, revocation and/or continued incarceration of incarcerated individuals under its jurisdiction. The Hearings Investigator conducts a thorough analysis of the incarcerated individual’s past and present behavior and risk to public safety.

Primary Duties

Independently conducts investigations and analysis of complex, difficult, and sensitive convicted individual’s histories for release hearings and violation hearings in compliance with RCW’s, WAC’s, and policies.

Tasks include

• Maintains an independent state-wide caseload and provides the Board Members with comprehensive expert analysis of convicted individual’s history as documented in the case file.
• Makes probable cause determinations for violations of supervision. Acts independently to retain someone in custody for violation of their supervision in compliance with due process laws. This is accomplished by researching, collecting, organizing, and documenting data or related reports or documents as part of the investigative process.
• Functions as an impartial investigator to establish facts and evidence for use in ISRB Board violation hearings and/or reviews in compliance with statutory and constitutional authority.
• Acts independently to retain someone in custody for violation of their supervision in compliance with due process laws. Correlates evidence and investigates information critical to the thorough analysis of the individual’s past and present behavior and risk to public safety. Organizes, verifies, and analyzes the information and evidence gathered and in writing. Effectively conveys the information gathered in an unbiased manner and in language appropriate to the complexity of the topic and the knowledge of the reader for the report.
• Conducts violation and other legal hearings upon request of the Chair or Board Member(s) in compliance with RCW’s, WAC’s and court decisions. Serves on an appeal panel at Direction of Chair for violation hearings. Recommends approval or denial of release plans for individuals and conditions for that individual to follow.
• Prepare written reports that document case findings based on investigative findings. Reports include the collection of facts, comprehensive analysis of facts and similar historic cases; probability of case being part of a series of events. Written reports are provided to Board Members prior to hearings and/or reviews so that they can make a critical decision related to release or further incarceration

Serves as program expert to RCW’s, WAC’s, court cases and policies to internal and external stakeholders.

Tasks include

• The Hearing Investigator is the program expert as it relates to receiving, researching and responding to incoming questions or complaints regarding convicted individual's files, ISRB authority and decisions.
• Provides and coordinates information on matters of interest to the Board Members, assistant attorney general, convicted individuals, prosecuting and defense attorneys, and the general public, DOC employees, victims, inmate family members, other stakeholders.
• Has independent decision-making ability and will advise the Board Members of issues that are occurring. May testify in court. Explains ISRB policy and procedures, clarifies laws and administrative rules that govern the work of the ISRB, advises parties of their constitutional rights.
• Responds to correspondence from incarcerated individuals and those on supervision regarding Board matters.

Required

• Bachelor's degree with focus in criminal justice, public administration, or related field from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or a foreign equivalent.
• Five years of experience conducting case analysis, pre-sentence investigations and/or criminal investigations for a criminal justice agency, court, or quasi-judicial body; three years of which must include providing supervision of offenders convicted of felony crimes.

(9) Nine years of experience conducting case analysis, pre-sentence investigations and/or criminal investigations for a criminal justice agency, court, or quasi-judicial body; three years of which must include providing supervision of offenders convicted of felony crimes.

Preferred

• Two years of experience analyzing and/or administering risk assessment instruments to include, but not limited to, Static 99R and MnSOST-R.
• Knowledge of an experience implementing best practices in the field of sex offender management.
• Knowledge of the impact of crime on victims and referral services.
• Experience with dues process hearing proceedings and understanding of issues facing offenders in the prison and community settings.
• Experience with presentations and providing training.

Supplemental Information

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:

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
• 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.

The 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.