Corrections Specialist 4 | Washington Way
Full Time | Non-Permanent (Project)
Location: Tumwater, WA
Salary Range: $81,420 - $109,524 Annually
This non-permanent position is represented by the Teamsters 117 bargaining unit.
This recruitment will fill two positions. This position requires frequent travel throughout the state of Washington.
This recruitment is open to current DOC employees only.
The Washington State Department of Corrections has a unique opportunity for people-focused and collaborative individuals to join the Washington Way team as a Corrections Specialist 4! The goal of this position is to provide advanced professional expertise, quality assurance techniques, quality improvement techniques, and facilitation techniques to further the goal of supporting the DOC mission to improve public safety by positively changing lives as it relates to the Washington Way.
The Corrections Specialist 4 supports the mission, vision and values of the Department of Corrections by acting as a key resource to the Washington Way Program. In this role you will develop and manage a quality assurance and quality improvement framework for the Resource and Activity Team models related to the Washington Way Program.
Applicants should demonstrate a sound understanding of the foundational principles guiding the Washington Way at WADOC – principles such as dynamic security, normalization, progression, and other international best practices in prison management. This role requires individuals who bring an open mindset to continuous learning and improvement, and who are committed to applying these principles to support meaningful transformation of correctional culture in Washington state prisons.
The candidates of choice will act as leads in the development, implementation, oversight, and fidelity of Resource and Activity Teams statewide as it applies to a Bureau of Justice Assistance Grant. Collaboration is key as you will work with other Corrections Specialists, internal and external stakeholders to assist in determining appropriate program design, evaluation, content, delivery, fidelity, and outcome measures for the implementation of the quality assurance and quality improvement framework.
We are searching for candidates that will ensure fidelity in the DOC which requires an ongoing system of both quality assurance and quality improvement. Quality assurance involves the ongoing and accurate monitoring and tracking of reliable measures of program and intervention implementation while quality improvement involves the systematic implementation of activities to improve the accurate implementation of the program or intervention to produce quality results for the Washington Way Program on a consistent basis.
A completed application packet will include:
- A cover letter regarding your interest in this position with our agency
- A detailed resume
- Three professional references
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:
- Observing Resource and Activity Teams to ensure Unit standards and expectations are being met by Correctional Sergeants and the team they supervise to include:
- Directing onsite observation of multiple Resource and Activity teams across the state to include meeting supervisory expectations outlined by the Department and Division
- Providing observation and input to improve Mission Housing environments and processes
- Developing and maintaining centralized data information centers, tools, and dashboards
- Using advanced data analysis, identifying improvement strategies and making recommendations to advance programs within The Washington Way Program
- Developing and implementing systems of Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Improvement (QI) for identified Resource and Activity Teams in the DOC continuum of care which could look like:
- Developing initial Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement assessment tool and manual in collaboration with the Washington Way Team and other stakeholders
- Developing interactive inventory tracking systems for Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement materials
- Developing of a QA/QI manual applicable at the national and international level
- Drafting of a final report outlining results of assessments and surveys
- Participating as a critical Washington Way team member in researching, designing, and implementing quality assurance programs for several Resource and Activity Team programs in prison settings
- Providing expert consultation and technical assistance (virtually and in-person) for identified Washington Way program delivery to ensure intervention standards and expectations are being met
- Supporting outcomes development and assessment of statewide Resource and Activity Teams implementation
- Other duties as assigned
What we need (required qualifications):
- A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in public administration, law, business administration, or a related field
AND
- 2 years of combined experience leading, developing, or coordinating work that focuses on:
- Continuous improvement
- Organizational change management
- Performance measurement
- Conducting research
- Policy analysis and/or development
- Leading/implementing business projects
- Developing training
- Portfolio management
- Managing business operations
OR
- At least six (6) years of combined experience leading, developing, or coordinating work that focuses on:
- Continuous improvement
- Organizational change management
- Performance measurement
- Conducting research
- Policy analysis and/or development
- Leading/implementing business projects
- Developing training
- Portfolio management
- Managing business operations
In addition to the above education/experience the below knowledge, skills and/or abilities are required:
- Demonstrated experience and commitment in program/project planning including experience with assessment, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
- Demonstrated experience and commitment in leading and managing multiple complex projects at the same time
Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through formal professional employment, volunteer experience, lived experience or a combination
What will make your application stand out (preferred qualifications):
- One (1) year developing and implementing data-driven quality assurance assessment and tools to determine program fidelity
- One (1) year of providing training or consultation for program service delivery
- Additional experience in a lead or supervisory positions
- Experience with and/or working knowledge of Motivational Interviewing
- One (1) year experience developing and implementing quality assurance and continuous quality improvement for evidence/research-based and/or promising practice programs designed to reduce recidivism
- Leadership attributes:
- Ability to lead a diverse group of employees towards a common goal
- Comfortable interacting with staff members at all levels of the agency
- High level of workload management including strong organizational skills and ability to effectively prioritize
- Oral and written communication skills:
- Actively listens to others, ability to paraphrase and asks clarifying questions
- Ability to clearly and concisely emphasize key messages
- Ability to take direction on communication objectives and produce clearly written documents
- Critical thinking:
- Demonstrates ability to identify opportunities for improving and streamlining work processes beyond specific assignments
- Ability to thrive in constantly changing environment
- Comprehends and can articulate the purpose(s) of a particular project and how it relates to agency goals and priorities
- Customer focus:
- Builds and maintains internal and external customer satisfaction
- Anticipates customer needs
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:
- This recruitment may be utilized to fill more than one position.
- 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.
- 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.
Telework Details
This position may be allocated for telework. Work may be performed from your home or another offsite location within the state of Washington using a reliable internet or cellular hotspot service at that time. Employees are expected to perform assigned duties in a safe manner, to take proper care all state-issued equipment, and maintain confidentiality of all information in possession while working offsite. Employees will be required to commute to a Department of Corrections facility or field office as business requires, to potentially include components of the onboarding process. Some offices will have a “drop in” area available, however, a dedicated workspace within a DOC facility will not be provided.
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!
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' web site.
For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email mackenzie.conley@doc1.wa.gov or call us at 509-630-9160. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.