Corrections Specialist 3 - Reentry Navigator

Full Job Description

This position is a member of the Reentry Division, Reentry Navigator Team.

The Reentry Division includes Education, Correctional Industries, Housing Voucher, and Strength in Families, just to name a few.

This position also serves as a member of reentry care teams that may include, but not be limited to, institution and community supervision staff, iCoach representatives, family, faith-based support, mentors, housing providers, Health and Human Service providers, and community support.

This position directly supports achieving Governor Inslee’s Results Washington goal of DOC reducing recidivism and facilities compliance with RCW 72.09.270 regarding legislatively mandated Individual Reentry Plan (IRP).

This position is critical in supporting successful reentry and thereby reducing the likelihood of recidivism and increasing safety for the public, staff, and incarcerated individuals.

This position will be responsible for reentry planning workshops, resource event coordination, Individual Reentry Plan support, and scheduling reentry team meetings (RTM) driven from the Integrated Reentry Continuum of Care Model or attending wraparound meetings.

During RTM’s this position will be responsible for identifying institution/community care teams to discuss individualized needs, development of IRP’s and provide individuals with access to programs and services, which target identified needs and scorecard items.

Be a reentry liaison for individuals to access resources provided by community-based organizations, whose services provide individuals with opportunity to engage in and develop skills needed to enhance a successful transition to the community.

This position directly supports compliance with Governor’s Executive Order 16-05 Building Safe and Strong Communities through Successful Reentry.

This position assists in providing individuals opportunities that will contribute to personal growth and the likelihood of reducing future victims.

The Reentry Division provides people with focused opportunities for success.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.Copy of your unofficial transcripts.

(if applicable)**Please note, an incomplete application package may disqualify you from the process.

**For information about the Reentry Division, please visit our webpage.Our mission at the Department of Corrections is to 'improve public safety by positively changing lives'.

With more than 8,000 employees, we recognize that staff are our greatest asset, and the efforts of our dedicated workforce have garnered national recognition!

Whether the work is inside a prison, out in the field, or an administrative office, DOC staff experience a high degree of personal reward knowing their efforts are creating an environment in which incarcerated individuals can learn to make choices that contribute to safer communities.DOC OFFERS:•Flexible schedules•Comprehensive compensation packages•Training and development opportunities•The fulfillment of public service

Requirements

Provide reentry navigation by assisting individuals in completing Individual Reentry Plans, Essential Needs Checklist, coordinating Reentry Team Meetings or participating in wraparound meetings, providing transfer day support as needed, and providing resource navigation that meet the identified needs and/or Scorecard items.

Reentry navigation services include connecting appropriate resources and support systems based upon the individual’s risk, needs, and reentry goals and objectives:

Identify existing evidence-based programs and services that address criminogenic needs identified through the Washington ONE assessment in coordination with the individual’s correctional counselor, corrections specialist, or community corrections officer.

Provide resource navigation and assist with the referral process to identified programs and services in coordination with the individual’s corrections counselor, corrections specialist, or community corrections officer.

• Support incarcerated individuals in development of IRPs through workshops, groups, or individual work in conjunction with internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify reentry programs and services within the assigned areas of coverage.
• Coordinate with Correctional staff to ensure that the individuals are referred and connected to the appropriate programs and services that are based upon risk and needs.
• Recruit, schedule and facilitate community-based partners to present workshops and resource information for reentry planning efforts within the institutions and in the community.
  

• Collect and track data related to reentry outcomes including IRP completion, reentry planning workshops/groups/individual efforts, Essential Needs Checklist completion, transfer day support, Reentry Team Meetings, and regular contact with individuals.
• Record, access, update, and retrieve participant-related information from agency
• Represent the agency on various community groups that provide services and partnerships to ensure continuous engagement of a wide range of systems and community-based agencies in an effort to leverage available resources that may support sustainable reentry.
• Connect incarcerated individuals with community justice center and/or community transition coordination network in the area in which the incarcerated individual will be residing once released from the correctional system.
  

Qualifications

• High school diploma/GED and 5 years’ experience providing reentry/transition support to justice-involved population.

Five years of experience needs to include:

Three years of experience working with a range of system and community-based resources available to support the diverse spectrum of potential reentry needs such as collaborative relationships with entities external to the agency, such as county, city, and regional jails, residential/outpatient treatment facilities, housing organizations, health and human services providers, and/or work release facilities OR three years of experience using participant-driven reentry strategies in adult or juvenile corrections, social services, or closely related field.

OR

• Associate's degree and 4 years’ experience providing reentry/transition support to justice-involved population.

OR

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience providing reentry/transition support to justice-involved population.

OR

• Master’s degree and 2 years’ experience providing reentry/transition support to justice-involved population.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with program participants, staff at all levels within the Agency and with a broad range of system- and community-based external stakeholder organizations.

• Ability to build strong rapport with justice involved individuals and use effective engagement strategies to maintain open communication; gauge participant competencies; discuss needs, barriers, and goals; collaborate in problem- solving; and support each participant's capacity to prioritize action steps.

• Ability to develop proficient skills in group facilitation.

• Ability to work both independently and in close collaboration with system- and community-based stakeholders. Demonstrate a willingness to receive, internalize, and learn from feedback to exhibit professional growth.

• Knowledge of prison-, jail- and community corrections-based standards and rules with the ability to analyze information to identify problems and develop subsequent action and strategic plans.
  Possession of good interpersonal skills, ability to work without direct supervision, demonstration of high degree of motivation.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

Expertise in the Washington State criminal justice system (i.e.

law enforcement, prosecution, courts, correctional facilities, and community correction supervision) from the point of arrest to the point of release from jurisdictional custody.

Working knowledge of the key decision points for the transition of person released from prison or jail to the community transition and intent and desired outcomes.

Additional Information

• 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.

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!
  

This position is eligible for the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). 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' website.

• Visit our benefits page to see more!
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.

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.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email docreentryhrsupport@DOC1.WA.GOV or grace.kilmer@doc1.wa.gov