Corrections Specialist 3/Building Capacity Grant Reentry Navigator

 
The Department of Corrections is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual to take on the dynamic role of a Corrections Specialist 3 within the Reentry Division. This is a full-time, project position with an expected duration of 18 months. This position is located at 
Bishop Lewis Reentry Center in Seattle, WA

This position works 8 a.m-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and is eligible for Telework.
 
King County Premium: The salary listed does not include the additional 5% premium granted to King County employees.*

This is a project position for the term of the Building Capacity grant. It will support individuals through reentry navigation services, with the aid of a verified provider list. That provider list will be developed and utilized to assist formerly incarcerated individuals that access services to address their identified needs. This position is a member of the Reentry Division, Reentry Navigator Team. The Reentry Division includes Education, Correctional Industries, Housing Voucher, Strength in Families, and many other units focused on the transition from incarceration back to the community. This position also serves as a member of reentry care teams that may include, but not be limited to, institution and community supervision staff, family, faith-based support, mentors, housing providers, local law enforcement, and neighborhood/community support.
 
In order to be considered for this position, please apply directly at www.careers.wa.govto this announcement and attach the following items to your application:

• A current resume (indicating your related experience);
• A 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; and
• Three professional references.

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 
 
 AGENCY PROFILE:
 
For information about the Reentry Division, please visit our webpage. 
  
 DOC OFFERS:

• Flexible schedules
• Comprehensive compensation packages
• Training and development opportunities
• The fulfillment of public service

 The Department’s mission is, “to improve public safety by positively changing lives.” This position will support changing lives with the objective to reduce recidivism, or the rate of return to institutions the first year after release, by increasing the number of individuals who receive reentry transition services and direct resources focused on successful transition back to the community. 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 building community partnerships and building a verified provider list to assist formerly incarcerated individuals to access services. This position will be responsible for scheduling reentry team meetings (RTM) driven from the Integrated Reentry Continuum of Care Model. 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, in an effort to target those individuals’ identified needs.
 
The final candidate will be a reentry liaison for individuals to access resources provided by community-based organizations, whose services provide individuals with the 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 their personal growth, as well as reduce the likelihood of future victims.
 
 Duties may include, but are not limited to:
 

• Provide reentry navigation by assisting individuals in completing Individual Reentry Plans, Essential Needs Checklist, coordinating Reentry Team Meetings, providing transfer day support as needed, and providing resource navigation for individuals after release or transfer to the community using the verified provider list. Reentry navigation services include connecting appropriate resources and support systems based upon the individual’s risk, needs, and reentry goals and objectives.
• Provide community outreach to increase community partnerships to create and use the verified provider list.
• Provide effective communication, documentation, and collaboration.
• Other duties as assigned to support the Reentry Division purpose to provide targeted opportunities and pathways supporting integration into our communities.

Required Qualifications:
 

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or related field (degree must be obtained from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or foreign equivalent.)

OR

• Five years of corrections 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.

Desired 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.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment
 

• 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.
• 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 is include in a union shop.

  
IMPORTANT NOTES:

• 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.
• This position may be include in a Union Shop.

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!

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

Salary : $5,281 - $7,107