Corrections and Custody Officer 3

Full Job Description

The Department of Corrections is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual for a permanent Corrections and Custody Officer 3 position at the Washington Corrections Center.

Washington Corrections Center is located 35 miles northwest of Olympia, the state capital. WCC is predominantly a Reception and Diagnostic Center, a close, medium and long-term minimum custody facility. The facility has a primary responsibility to process, test and classify all adult male incarcerated individuals sentenced to prison in Washington State. The facility has seven living units, comprised of 5 close custody reception units, and 3 medium and long-term minimum units. WCC houses approximately 1,800 incarcerated individuals. There are approximately 500 incarcerated individuals screened and processed each month. WCC also serves as a major transportation hub responsible for the transfer of incarcerated individuals to and from facilities throughout the state.

This position plays a crucial role in advancing the department's commitment to public safety by providing operational supervision to custody staff and ensuring the secure and orderly management of incarcerated individuals at the Washington Corrections Center. As a supervisory role, the Corrections and Custody Officer 3 is responsible for promoting safety and security through the oversight of lower-level staff, directing and monitoring the activities and movements of adult incarcerated individuals.

By upholding the security of the institution and regulating movement into, out of, and within the facility in accordance with established departmental protocols, the Corrections and Custody Officer 3 ensures the safety of staff, incarcerated individuals, and the public.

Requirements

• Monitoring and assisting Field Training Officers (FTO's), CO2's and CO1's participating in the Correctional Officer Field Training Program (COFTP).
• Evaluate employee performance and prepare performance appraisals.
• Provides guidance on policy adherence and implements corrective action plans to resolve conduct issues.
• Recognize contributions and foster professional growth via actionable feedback.
• Equip staff with the resources and training necessary for safe, secure operations.
• Maintain comprehensive surveillance of incarcerated individuals' activities and movements, conducting both close-range observation and wide-area security checks.
• Actively support and participate in safety and security practices, exercises and drills.
• Investigate and respond to incarcerated individuals' complaints.
• Direct or conduct inspections and searches of incarcerated individuals, incarcerated individuals' property, incarcerated individuals living and program areas, and other areas of the facility.
• Seize or direct seizure of dangerous items, evidence, contraband, and or controlled or unauthorized substances. Ensure proper evidence handling is maintained.
• Brief appropriate personnel on pertinent information to make aware of current and potential situations that may require action.
• Direct officers in the preparation of infractions, logs, and other reports and review for accuracy and completeness.
• Effectively communicate with incarcerated individuals, staff and visitors in routine and emergent situations.
• Utilize electronic security devices such as radios and body alarms as appropriate and as necessary to mitigate the risk of danger or harm to self or others.
• Proactively manage team capacity and scheduling to maintain efficient staffing levels in response to fluctuating workloads.
• Strictly adhere to established staff safety practices and maintain personal accountability for the safety of others.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
High School Diploma or equivalent and three (3) years as a Correctional Officer in adult corrections
OR
Two (2) years of experience as a Correctional Officer in adult corrections and successful completion of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours of accredited college-level course work.

*Note: Corrections experience means the focus of the work is dealing directly with incarcerated individuals a majority of the time.

In addition to at least one of the above, this position requires:
Training - Experience training, mentoring and coaching staff.
Ability to -

• Write clearly, factually and concisely.
• Analyze and interpret data, weigh the risks and make decisions or recommendations to address staff and incarcerated individual's needs.
• Identify and address incarcerated individuals' behavior/needs.
• Organize and prioritize work.
• Apply conflict resolution skills.

Observation - Observes and strategizes personal action based on environmental conditions and human behavior.
Technology - Learns and utilizes computer-based applications in the performance of their job duties.
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 established productivity standards and timelines. 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.

• A completed application packet will include:
  • A cover letter outlining how you meet the qualifications for this position,
  • A detailed chronological resume,

  At least (3) three professional referencesA professional reference is identified 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.

Incomplete application packages may disqualify an applicant from the application process.

We are looking for evidence in your application materials taht you have the experience, skills and abilities indicated in this job posting.

Qualified applicants whose responses most closely match the requirements of this position may be invited to interview. Carefully review your application before submitting.

All information may be verified and documentation may be required. The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the application materials submitted.





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.

Our Core Values:

1. Cultivate an environment of integrity and trust: Corrections values partnership and trust. We foster openness and support courageous conversations. We are committed to doing what we say we are going to do by being accountable and taking personal ownership in our actions.

Respectful and inclusive interactions: Corrections appreciates and values individuals by promoting an inclusive and diverse environment, which encourages safety.

We respect, value, and listen to the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of our stakeholders and consider the impact on those we serve as well as each other.

2. People's safety: Corrections believes in creating an environment that values physical, mental, and emotional security and well-being. We honor those who advance safety for all.
3. Positivity in words and actions: At Corrections, we assume positive intentions and believe there is a shared desire for the best outcome. We consistently demonstrate positive behavior and always put forth our best effort.
4. Supporting people's success: Corrections is committed to our community – understanding individuals, instilling hope, embracing change, and providing opportunities.




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 utilized to fill more than one position.

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.**Please note: Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.

• A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire. 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 near 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 will also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.

Foreign equivalent degrees awarded outside the United States must have a credential evaluation report attached to your application.

You may request the required evaluation/documentation from www.wes.org and www.aice-eval.org. Until this documentation is provided, you will not be selected to move forward in the hiring process.

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 visit www.uscis.gov.




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




PERS: State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

OR

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 actually retire under two different systems/plans.

For more information, please contact the Department of Retirement System at: 1-800-547-6657.




For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email mackenzie.conley@doc1.wa.gov or call us at 509-630-9160. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.