Psychologist 4-Suicide Prevention Specialist

Psychologist 4
 Washington State Dept. of Corrections
 Tumwater, WA

Annual Salary Range: $128,292 - $172,584

 

*Please Note: COVID Vaccine requirement for DOC employment NO LONGER REQUIRED* 

 

 

 

The Department of Corrections is committed to reducing or eliminating individuals who die by suicide while in prison or shortly following release from prison. Toward this effort this position will design and lead all efforts, across divisions, to achieve this goal. They will utilize the most up to date strategies and modify those strategies for effective implementation in a correctional setting. This will include, though is not limited to, providing expert consultation on the updating of all training curricula associated with suicide prevention. They will also develop and implement a comprehensive plan to educate the incarcerated population regarding suicide and how to prevent deaths. This work will necessarily require inclusion of internal and external stakeholders to ensure appropriate application of death reduction efforts.

 
If you’ve read this far, it is clear you have a desire to make a difference in public service.  A completed application packet will include and is REQUIRED:
 

• A detailed resume.
• A cover letter regarding you interests and outlining your qualifications.
• Three professional references.

Application assessment will be ongoing, and the hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible.

 "This recruitment could be used to fill multiple permanent or non-permanent positions."  

Staff Training:

• Work with TDU (Training and Development Unit) to update Suicide Prevention curricula for CWC (Correctional Workers Core) and AIS (Annual In Service), ensuring that the content and activities provide the most up-to-date information and experience to enhance skills, reduce stigma and improve awareness.
• Train Mental Health staff as instructors at all locations to deliver CWC and AIS training.
• Update the Suicide Assessment and Management (for MH professionals) curricula to ensure that it meets Department of Health (DOH) objectives, maintain DOH approval of curriculum.
• Provide DOH based training and/or train instructors.
• Manage tracking of all MH and Psychiatric staff in the completion of the Suicide Assessment and Management training per DOH licensing requirements.

Population Education:

• Develop comprehensive plan to provide appropriate information to the incarcerated population to reduce the risk of suicide and improve reporting of suicidal ideation to staff.
• Implement plan to improve population knowledge of risks of suicide and appropriate action steps to help themselves or others.
• This plan will include information to be shared during orientation at the reception Centers as well as throughout all prison settings.
• This plan will include specialized information to be shared for those people releasing from incarceration.

Consultation:

Other Duties:

This position will represent DOC in various suicide prevention efforts in other agencies and organizations. This will include representing DOC on the Action Alliance Committee, organized through DOH

Required qualifications:

AND

AND

Knowledge:

 

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Previous work in a correctional setting
• Experience with developing and implementing agency-wide strategic plans.

• Mission: The mission of DOC is to improve public safety by positively changing lives.
• Our Vision: Working together for safer communities.
• 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Supporting people's success: Corrections is committed to our community – understanding individuals, instilling hope, embracing change, and providing opportunities.

 

 

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 represented by a bargaining unit.

• Requires respirator medical evaluation questionnaire, fit testing, training, and use of respiratory protection as required by the WA Industrial Safety & Act standards. Refer to WAC 296-842 to learn more.  
• Must be able to work in spaces, climb stairs, walk long distances, and frequently lift up to 30 pounds. Under rare circumstances this position may be required to lift or carry up to 50 pounds and push up to 100 pounds. 
• 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.

 

 

 

We are committed to hiring individuals who possess core diversity competencies:  
 

• Foster a positive attitude and openness toward the ever changing social and cultural makeup of the workplace.
• Work effectively with people of different perspectives, abilities, disabilities, races, religions, ages, lifestyle preferences and social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Respectfully acknowledge people's differences and recognize these differences as important and valuable.
• Promote inclusiveness.
• Be culturally sensitive and appropriate.
• Respect and value diverse backgrounds and traditions.

 

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:

 

• 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!

 

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.
  
  For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email kathey.waggoner@doc1.wa.gov or call at (509) 907-7808.
  
  For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.