What are the responsibilities and job description for the CLASSIFICATION COUNSELOR 1 position at State of Washington Dept. of Corrections?
Description
Internal DOC Only - Full Time - Permanent
The Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) is seeking highly motivated and talented individual for the position of a Classification Counselor 1 at the Washington Corrections Center (WCC) in Shelton, Washington.
The Washington Corrections Center is a Reception and Diagnostic Center. The facility is a close-custody facility with the primary responsibility to process, test, and classify all adult male felons sentenced to prison in Washington State. The facility has seven living units and houses 1,700 incarcerated individuals. There are about 500 incarcerated individuals screened and assessed each month. WCC is also the major hub for transfer of incarcerated individuals to and from facilities throughout the state.
We are searching for an adaptable and dependable team member who has excellent written and verbal communication skills to assume the critical role of Classification Counselor 1 and ensure WCC is operating in support of the mission, vision, and strategic plan of the agency.
For additional information about our agency, please visit doc.wa.gov.
Complete your application online at www.careers.wa.gov:
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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 references
- A 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.
We are looking for evidence in your application materials that 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.
Duties
This is an entry level position that is instrumental in assuring a safe
environment for staff and the incarcerated population. This is accomplished through
established uniform procedures for assessing the risk of sexual victimization and/ or
predation for all individuals under its jurisdiction and maintaining information for use in
housing and program assignment decisions. The CC1 position also assists with the
facilitation of State Orientation and receives a small, prescreened caseload as
incumbents in these positions typically perform the less difficult assignments. Duties include but are not limited to:
- Provide orientation and testing
- Manage a caseload of adult incarcerated individuals
- Navigate and maintain multiple electronic technologies and hard copy files
- Write correspondences, infractions, and incident reports.
- Provide clear, concise, and consistent communication with staff, incarcerated individuals, and stakeholders.
- Monitor incarcerated individuals programming and behaviors.
- Regularly review and update incarcerated individual plans and programming needs.
- Counsel and inform incarcerated individuals regarding community resources and problems.
- Prepare and submit Release Plans
- Handles complex and non-routine caseloads.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
A bachelor's degree involving major study in sociology, psychology, social work, criminology, or a closely related field.
OR
Satisfactory completion of two years of college in sociology, psychology, social work, criminology, or a closely related field and two years of experience in adult corrections, juvenile corrections, rehabilitation, or social casework.
OR
Counseling and/or custody experience in adult or juvenile corrections will substitute year for year for the required education.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
Ability to work independently.
Rapid problem-solving ability.
Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback/criticism.
Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.
Supplemental Information
Supplemental 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.
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:
Please include the following with your application:
- Letter of Interest; (preferably no more than two pages) describing how you meet the qualifications and why you are an ideal candidate for this position.
- Resume. Attach an updated resume to your application. Your application alone will not suffice for an updated resume.
- Minimum of three professional references with your application. Phone number AND email address are required for all 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. **Please note: Phone number AND email address are required for all professional reference.
- 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.
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!
For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email kayla.glaze@doc1.wa.gov or call us at 360-549-5614. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
