Community Corrections Officer 3 (CCO3) | Reentry Tacoma

Full Job Description

The Community Corrections Officer 3, working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, contributes to the agency’s mission to improve public safety by positively changing lives by supporting the effective supervision and accountability of reentry center residents under agency jurisdiction.

Supervision efforts will focus on resident's accountability and intervention therein upholding the Reentry purpose statement of providing individuals with focused opportunities for success to successfully transition into the community thereby supporting a safe and successful reentry into the community.

This position has arrest authority and staff who are not covered under the legacy provisions for arming are required to be armed and able to carry a department-issued firearm.

The Mission of the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) is to improve public safety by positively changing lives.

A complete application packet will include all of the following attachments:

1. Cover letter regarding your interest in this position.
2. Detailed chronological resume.
3. Three professional references with valid phone number(s) and an email address for each. Definition of “professional references” is listed below in Supplemental Information section.
4. Unofficial transcripts, if applicable.

Requirements

Duties of a Community Corrections Officer 3 include:

Supervise adults placed in partial confinement at a Reentry Center in accordance with Washington State Law and agency policy and within prescribed timeframes

• Review all available information for each arriving resident; determine the resident’s documentation and initial programming needs.
• Conduct PREA screening within 72 hours of arrival; document in OMNI and in tracking sheet.
• Complete intake with residents to orient them to reentry center rules and processes.
• Administer assessments such as risk, needs, and substance abuse.
• Make sound decisions concerning resident’s financial obligations, loss of liberty, sanctions (negotiated, stipulated, etc.), resident living arrangements, and treatment and education referrals.
• Navigate within and maintain multiple electronic and hardcopy resident files
• Review and update resident plans and programming needs
• Conduct searches of residents, resident residences, and /or motor vehicles and other collateral locations
• Complete resident collateral contacts (e.g., field visits) as required by agency policy

Engage with residents to work towards positive change

• Use communication strategies, such as Motivational Interviewing to enhance the resident’s intrinsic motivation to change
• Use Principles of Effective Interventions to interact with residents and to manage behavior (such as effective interpersonal relationships, effective reinforcement, effective disapproval, effective use of authority, cognitive re-structuring, modeling, structural learning/skill building, and problem- solving techniques) and complete Behavior Observation Entries
• Make referrals to resident change interventions based on risk need assessment and review progress reports regarding resident participation to support the resident
• Counsel and inform residents regarding community resources

Enforce supervision/placement conditions and the law

• Staff not covered under legacy provisions, are required to be armed and able to carry a department-issued firearm
• Present accurate written documentation and oral testimony and make appropriate sanction recommendations for courts and /or hearings
• Transport resident to an incarceration facility or other designated area
• Identify, collect, document, process, and maintain evidence and information, ensuring proper chain of custody and storage
• Collect, test, evaluate, document, and maintain resident urine samples
• Conduct, evaluate, and document breathalyzer tests
• Issue and serve warrants
• Arrest resident in the reentry center, at their homes, employment sites, or other collateral locations in a safe manner for supervision violations and new law violations
• Investigate and respond to infractions/violations
• Investigate and respond to new law violations that occur in the presence of the CCO and take follow-up actions
• While armed, exercise sound judgment and follow Department policies, procedures and protocols regarding the appropriate maintenance, security, handling, and discharge of Department issued firearms
• Write detailed reports on new law violations and supervision violations
• Testify during trial/court hearings
• Partner with various law enforcement agencies on an as needed or requested basis

Attend and complete mandatory training and meetings as scheduled

Act as the reentry center manager designee when authorized and in accordance with agency policy

Other Duties as assigned and necessary

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Two (2) years’ experience as a Community Corrections Officer 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 foreign equivalent AND three (3) years of professional work experience in adult or juvenile corrections, counseling, social work, social service, or law enforcement or closely related field which includes at least three (3) of the following:

  • Making field visits

  • Preparing written correspondence, reports, and/or documents.

  • Assessing cases and making recommendations

  • Referring people to appropriate resources

  • Presenting cases in court or hearings.

OR

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

*A master’s degree in sociology, social work, psychology, criminology, or closely related field will substitute for five (5) years of qualifying experience.

*An associates degree will substitute for two (2) years of qualifying experience.

AND

Staff who do not qualify for legacy status under the provisions for arming are required to be armed and must be: willing and able to possess and use a firearm under federal and state laws, maintain firearm qualifications, and successfully complete ongoing training requirements associated with mandatory arming and potential use of force.

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 and community resources.
• Observation - Observes and strategizes personal action 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 relevant law, policy, procedure, and practice. Adheres to productivity standards and timelines established by law and policy. Assist in identifying 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.

Additional Information

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.

For more information about our agency, visit our Mission & Vision.

The WA State Department of Corrections (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 used to fill more than one position, and this recruitment may be used to fill additional positions up to sixty days after all listed positions have been filled.

References: A minimum of three professional references with a valid email and phone number for each is required.

Although current and recent supervisors are preferred, 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, include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.

Salary is based on skills and abilities that apply to the primary functions of the role and/or years of experience and is decided at the time a final offer of employment is made.

The salary range listed in the job posting includes steps A-M, or A-U if a registered nurse (RN).

Within your permanent salary range, step M (or step U if an RN) is a longevity step, it is typically gained six years after being assigned to step L (or step T if an RN).

• Work with or near incarcerated or supervised individuals: This position may work directly with or near incarcerated or supervised individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Take this into account before applying.
• Background and criminal record history checks will be conducted prior to employment. Information gathered may not preclude employment, but it will be considered in determining your suitability for the position.
• Pre-employment drug test: A drug test may be administered as part of the pre-employment process. Applicants who test positive for a controlled substance may 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 you 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 sixty days of the date of hire.

If the test result is positive, further information, testing, and treatment will be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.

• 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 you could expect in this position.

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 Form I-9’s list of acceptable documents.

Note: DOC does not use E-Verify. We are not able to partake in STEM Optional Practice Training (OPT).

• Represented position: This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

What We OfferYour work-life integration is a priority. Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation.

Besides a generous retirement plan and comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, additional perks might include:

• Fourteen to twenty-five paid vacation days per year (depending on years of service and in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement [CBA] if a represented position)
• Eight hours of paid sick leave per month
• Eleven paid holidays per year (includes one personal holiday)
• One personal leave day per year (in accordance with the CBA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
• Deferred Compensation Program (DCP)
• And more! Visit our benefits page for more information.

Retirement Options - This position is eligible for the Public Safety Employees' Retirement System (PSERS).

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 will retire under two different systems/plans.

For more information, please contact theDepartment of Retirement Systems(DRS) at 800-547-6657.

For questions about this recruitment or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact raven.richman@doc1.wa.gov or 360-515-2470.

For TTY service, call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.