Correctional Mental Health Unit Supervisor

Full Job Description

The Department of Corrections (DOC) is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual for the position of Correctional Mental Health Unit Supervisor at the Washington State Penitentiary (WSP) located in Walla Walla, WA.

The Washington State Penitentiary is staffed 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. 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), 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 Department consists of the Office of the Secretary, Prisons Division, Community Corrections Division, Health Services Division, Communications Department and Risk Management Department.

The Washington State Penitentiary (WSP) is comprised of 4 Close Custody Units, 3 Special Housing Units, 2 Intensive Management Units, 2 Medium Units, 2 Minimum Housing Units and a Hospital. In all, WSP houses approximately 2,000 incarcerated individuals and employs approximately 1,100 staff.

A completed application packet will include:

• A detailed resume, as a separate attachment
• A cover letter regarding your interest for this position with our agency, as a separate attachment
• Three professional references
• A copy of college transcripts, if applicable

Requirements

This position is responsible for supervising incarcerated individuals, staff and daily operations of a Specialized Housing incarcerated individual living unit which houses Seriously Mentally Ill and Protective Custody incarcerated individuals in accordance with Washington Administrative Code (WAC's), DOC policies and facility Operational Memoranda. The management of a Specialized Housing living unit includes: (1) providing direct supervision and leadership to Classification Counselors, support staff, and Correctional Sergeants who supervise Correctional Officers; (2) the continuous inspection and review of correctional and security procedures to ensure proper application of directives; (3) analyzing operations and recommending solutions to problems and improvements for efficiency and economy; ensuring all sanitation and security requirements are met; and (4) assisting with the development and implementation of new or updated DOC policies, Operational Memoranda, and facility rules and procedures relating to facility functions and assigned tasks, (5) Along with the assistance of the unit mental health professionals, designing and implementing specialty programs that address issues related to incarcerated individuals' mental health and criminal thinking.

Description of Duties:

Supervise, monitor and direct the operations of a Specialized Housing incarcerated individual living unit to include security practices, incarcerated individual program assignments, sanitation of units, and compliance with DOC custody policies and operational memoranda.Plan, direct, and supervise the work of living unit staff, which includes Classification Counselors, Correctional Officers and Correctional Sergeants.Plan, direct and monitor unit programs.Oversee, conduct, and/or participate in hearings, investigations, and meetings.Balance the mental health treatment needs and treatment issues in collaboration with Mental Health staff regarding issues of safety and security.

Qualifications Required Qualifications: Two (2) years of experience as a supervisor. * (This experience may be gained concurrently with the required experience below)

-AND-

• A High School Diploma/GED Equivalent + 7 years’ professional experience in juvenile or adult corrections experience in treatment, custody or community corrections or professional counseling or casework experience.

OR

• Satisfactory completion of two (2) years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits) + 5 years’ professional experience in juvenile or adult corrections experience in treatment, custody or community corrections or professional counseling or casework experience.

OR

• A bachelor's degree + 3 years’ professional experience in juvenile or adult corrections experience in treatment, custody or community corrections or professional counseling or casework experience.

-AND-

• A working knowledge of DOC Policies, RCW's, WACs, and Operational Memoranda.
• A working knowledge of incarcerated individual management and supervision, including behavior management, classification process, sanitation, and security and safety.
• Understanding of incarcerated individual programs including preparation of incarcerated individuals for transition back into society.
• A demonstrated ability to provide positive leadership in times of stress, conflict, and unforeseen events; remain calm and rational while handling difficult situations to include, but not limited to, volatile, threatening, or other crisis/emergency situations; expertly intervene in response to threats.

*Supervisory Experience

Additional Information

'The mission of DOC is to improve public safety by positively changing lives.'

For additional information about the agency, please visitdoc.wa.gov.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Please attach separately: resume, cover letter and minimum of three professional references.

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.

• Requires respirator medical evaluation questionnaire, fit testing, training, and use of respiratory protection as required by the WA Industrial Safety & Act standards. Refer to WAC 296-842 to learn more.
• Must be able to work in spaces, climb stairs, walk long distances, and frequently lift up to 30 pounds. Under rare circumstances this position may be required to lift or carry up to 50 pounds and push up to 100 pounds.

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 visitwww.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.

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.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email angela.kelly@doc1.wa.gov or call us at (509) 524-7619. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.