Corrections Specialist 4 (CS4) - Reentry CBI Mount Vernon

Full Job Description

The Reentry Division supports the Department of Corrections (DOC) mission of improving public safety by positively changing lives while providing individuals with programming, tools, and resources needed to successfully transition back into the community.

The Reentry Division provides targeted opportunities and pathways supporting successful integration into our community from incarceration.

The Reentry Division’s Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CBI) Corrections Specialist facilitator provides professional assessment, evaluation and delivery of CBI to incarcerated individuals.

This position partners with DOC staff across the continuum of case management throughout incarcerated individual’s pathways.

The CBI programs provide participants with opportunity to engage in cognitive self-change in order to develop skills needed to enhance social abilities, improve problem solving and think in ways that change their actions which improve positive correctional outcomes, reduce recidivism, and lead to safer communities.

This position reports to a Cognitive Behavioral Interventions Manager.

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. A cover letter regarding your interest in this position with our agency.
2. A detailed 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

We are looking for teammates who share our vision of public service, committed to an equitable and inclusive culture that fosters and inspires excellence, while promoting innovation, engagement, and safety, leading to better outcomes for our incarcerated population, our agency, and our community.

As a Corrections Specialist 4, some of your duties will include:

Provide professional delivery of all Cognitive Behavioral Interventions (CBIs) within the inventory of the Cognitive Behavioral Interventions (CBI) Unit to eligible participants actively under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections.

Share with stakeholders the status of the ongoing Cognitive Behavioral Intervention.

Participate in and complete all scheduled training/coaching sessions for Cognitive Behavioral Interventions.

Document individual participation.

Qualifications

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.

AND

Three years as a Community Corrections Officer within the Washington State Department of Corrections OR three years of professional case management* experience in adult or juvenile corrections or closely related field which includes at least three of the following:

AND

Six months experience facilitating CBI programs or professional experience in training or teaching equivalent to three full-time years.

OR

An Associate’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.

AND

Five (5) years as a Community Corrections Officer within the Washington State Department of Corrections OR five years of professional case management* experience in adult or juvenile corrections or closely related field which includes at least three of the following:

AND

Six months experience facilitating CBI programs or professional experience in training or teaching equivalent to three full-time years

OR

High school diploma, GED, or equivalency AND 7 (seven) years of professional case management* experience in adult or juvenile corrections or closely related field which includes at least three of the following:

AND

* Professional case management includes activities such as: assessment of risk factors; designing, monitoring, and/or facilitating treatment plans; determining and making referrals to appropriate (chemical dependency, substance abuse, family counseling, job training assistance, etc.); maintaining official records and tracking client progress/compliance; and assisting individuals who are unable to independently access support systems or community resources such as those providing food, clothing, or monetary assistance and shelter.

Note: A Master’s degree in sociology, social work, psychology, criminology, or closely related field will substitute for one year of the required professional case management experience.

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):

Attend and successfully complete training for identified CBI program within 30 days of hire or at the next scheduled training.

Maintain regular and reliable attendance.

Complete a felony disclosure form prior to employment and submit to a criminal background check.

Successfully complete, within mandated timeframes, employee orientation and all other mandatory annual, in-service and other required training.

This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees Bargaining Unit

Provide physical residential address and home telephone number to the Department of Corrections.

Become familiar and comply with all Department policies and procedures and Collective Bargaining Agreements as applicable.

Submit to drug testing in accordance with Collective Bargaining Agreement and agency policy.

Maintain confidentiality of information obtained through job performance as protected by agency policy or state or federal law.

Possess and maintain a vehicle operator’s license valid in the state of Washington.

This position may be filled at the Corrections Specialist 3 level with a six-month in-training plan. The entire in-training appointment is designated as the trial service period.

The trial service period and in-training program will run concurrently.

Upon successful completion of the training requirements, the employee will advance to the Corrections Specialist 4 level and will continue with a six-month trial service period.

At the successful completion of the trial service period, the employee shall gain permanent status at the Corrections Specialist 4 level.

Permanent status will not be gained at the Corrections Specialist 3 level.

Corrections Specialist 3 Required Qualifications:

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.

AND

Three years as a Community Corrections Officer within the Washington State Department of Corrections OR three years professional case management* experience in adult or juvenile corrections or closely related field which includes at least three of the following:
Making field visits
Writing reports
Assessing cases and making recommendations
Referring people to appropriate resources
Presenting cases in court or hearings

OR

An Associate’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.

AND

Five (5) years as a Community Corrections Officer within the Washington State Department of Corrections OR five years of professional case management* experience in adult or juvenile corrections or closely related field which includes at least three of the following:
Making field visits
Writing reports
Assessing cases and making recommendations
Referring people to appropriate resources
Presenting cases in court or hearings

OR

High school diploma, GED, or equivalency AND 7 (seven) years of professional case management* experience in adult or juvenile corrections or closely related field which includes at least three of the following:
Making field visits
Writing reports
Assessing cases and making recommendations
Referring people to appropriate resources
Presenting cases in court or hearings

Note: A Master’s degree in sociology, social work, psychology, criminology, or closely related field will substitute for one year of the required professional case management experience.

* Professional case management includes activities such as: assessment of risk factors; designing, monitoring, and/or facilitating treatment plans; determining and making referrals to resources as appropriate (chemical dependency, substance abuse, family counseling, job training assistance, etc.); maintaining official records and tracking client progress/compliance and assisting individuals who are unable to independently access support systems or community resources such as those providing food, clothing, or monetary assistance and shelter.

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)

Telework Details

This position may be allocated for telework on an ad-hoc basis. Employees must use a reliable internet or cellular hotspot service at an authorized location within the state of Washington.

Employees with an approved telework agreement in place are expected to perform assigned duties in a safe manner, take proper care of all state-issued equipment, and maintain confidentiality.

You will be required to commute to a DOC facility or field office as business requires, which may include components of the onboarding and training process. Details will be provided before hire.

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 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 within PERS. For additional information, refer to the Department of Retirement Systems or call 800-547-6657.