Corrections Captain

PLEASE NOTE: This is an internal department promotional recruitment. Only current Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention (DAJD) employees who meet the minimum qualifications may apply. 

This recruitment will establish a new eligibility list for the Corrections Captains position and will be utilized to fill future vacancies. The new eligibility list will be valid for 24 months.

ABOUT THE POSITION: Corrections Captains oversee and are responsible for daily operations during assigned shift, including resident booking, confinement, transport, and release. Ensures safety and security of residents, employees, and facilities. Manages and/or oversees subordinate staff including uniformed Sergeants and Officers, Customer Service Specialist III’s, and other staff, volunteers or public in the facility during assigned shift.

Under the general direction of DAJD Senior Management, the Captain serves as a shift or section commander with operational authority over departmental activities; to direct the work of an operational element, or higher, of the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention. Participate in senior management issues involving all operations of the Department. Captains are assigned to command one of the teams including; ITR, IIU, Operations, Administrative, or Court Detail. In the absence of the Director, Facility Commander and/or Major this position is responsible for the safe operation of the correctional facility. Responsibilities include staff scheduling, roster management and management of overtime resources within established budgetary constraints; ensure staff are receiving training and development; and investigation of staff misconduct including initiation of corrective action or recommend disciplinary action when warranted. The Captains oversee preliminary investigations of criminal actions that occur within the jurisdiction of the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention. They initiate employee disciplinary actions, and review, recommend, and develop Department policies and procedures pertaining to a wide range of issues.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT: The Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention is striving to provide in custody and community-based services that are data informed, advance safety, lead system change and promote equitable outcomes for the people we serve. The Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention is a professional and nationally recognized organization that supports safe, vibrant, and healthy communities in partnership with other criminal justice and human service agencies

 

The job description is an overview and is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all the functions and tasks required of this position. Applying equity, racial and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and foundational expectation for all King County employees. As the Corrections Captain this position will:

• Supervises, trains, and instructs corrections staff in accordance with appropriate policies and operational procedures.
• Ensures safety and security of staff, residents, and others who enter the facility. 
• Ensures appropriate operations, administrative policies, and procedures are implemented and followed.
• Provide excellent customer service always including professional and respectful behavior and communication.  
• Represents the department to outside agencies, attorneys, and at meetings with other departments as needed.
• Prepares written reports, summaries, correspondence, and emails to set the tone for and advance department objectives.
• Responsible for managing assigned budget areas.
• Recommends improvements to policies and procedures.

Corrections Captains will perform other duties as assigned, within job scope and area of assignment.  The work location may be either the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Seattle, or the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent. Shifts will be based on the needs of the facility, and all work is required to be in person. 

This promotional opportunity is only open to current career service Corrections Sergeants who are not in a probationary status and have completed a minimum of three years (36 months) continuous/current service as a Corrections Sergeant with the King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention by the close date of the recruitment. Past disciplinary action may be considered as part of the promotional process.

• Ability to understand the principles and practices of modern law enforcement operations, security standards, correctional standards, administration of the organization security standards, particularly related to the Adult Division of DAJD. Ability to understand and possess knowledge of principles and behaviors of residents and causes of underlying psychiatric and social behaviors of incarcerated residents.
• Ability to understand legal terminology, criminal and correctional law regarding detention, arrest procedures, use of force, search and seizure, rules of evidence and court proceedings.
• Ability to understand County charter, ordinances and policy provisions; ability to understand and apply Department policies and directives; ability to understand and apply agreements and requirements relating to collective bargaining units.
• Ability to understand and possess a thorough knowledge of the geographical and judicial areas of King County which has a bearing on transportation, court and jail related needs.
• Must have and maintain a valid WA state driver's license.
• On a daily basis, a Captain may sit regularly and/or stand on an intermittent basis, have the ability to monitor video terminals, operate a keyboard to access and record information correctly and talk and listen one to one, on the phone or over a communications radio. Driving a car or van with automatic transmission is required occasionally.
• On an emergency basis, a Captain must possess the ability to respond to emergencies in a timely and appropriate manner. Captains must have the ability to direct emergency and disaster planning and mobilization.
• Knowledge of instruments and equipment used in crime prevention, detention and law enforcement tactics used in maintaining order of a correctional facility and the residents who reside within. This includes, but is not limited to, riot gear, drug detection equipment, crime scene evidence equipment, cameras, surveillance equipment, operation orders, etc.
• Ability to analyze complex detention problems and to resolve problems with regard to environmental and hazardous conditions. Ability to meet safety and security concerns, including airborne and blood borne-pathogen issues.
• Ability to effectively deal with employees. Ability to delegate and provide written and verbal directions to subordinates.
• Possesses knowledge of financial management.
• Ability to provide training or coordinate training and development for subordinates.

Desired Qualifications:

• Understand and promote the “big picture” related to DAJD’s mission, vision, and goals. Candidates should also have a clear understanding of the financial impacts their decisions make on department operations.
• Recognize and support the need for strong working relationships through team building amongst staff and outside stakeholders. This is achieved by taking an active role in employee engagement and development, maintaining a positive attitude and being approachable. 
• Make decisions based on department policies, procedures and in accordance with industry standards and best practices and be accountable for the decisions you make.
• A leader who follows King County’s True North values of equity and social justice.
• Promote the development and delivery of realistic, ongoing, in-service, and on-shift training in support of Officer growth.

HOW TO APPLY: Completion of the full King County application and supplemental questionnaire is required. If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

APPLICATION PROCESS: The following items are required to be considered for this opportunity:

1. An electronic application through www.kingcounty.gov/jobs or www.governmentjobs.com (use the ". Apply" link) including work history and position duties. For technical assistance with the online application, please contact NEOGOV Customer Support toll free at 1-877-204- 4442 or Governmentjobs.com.
2. Resume and Letter of Interest detailing why you are interested in applying for this position and how your experience and education have prepared you to perform the primary job duties of a Corrections Captain.
3. A signed PREA Requirement sheet. The PREA Requirement sheet can be found on the Corrections Captain AIB announcement or by contacting the recruiter listed on this announcement.

Selection Process:

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications stated above will be invited to the assessment center. Candidates must score a 70% or higher at the assessment center to be placed on the Captain Promotional eligibility list. The overall assessment center score will be used to establish ranking order, which will determine the most competitive applicants to be invited to an oral board interview.

The top scoring candidates from the oral boards will have a final interview with the Department Director(s), as vacancies arise. Past disciplinary action may be considered as part of the promotional process.

The Promotional Process:

Orientation

A Captain’s Promotional Process Orientation was held on Zoom on January 17, 2025. During this orientation, candidates were provided detailed information from National Testing Network representatives on what to expect at the assessment center. Copies of all materials referenced in the orientation such as candidate handout and the recorded orientation itself, are posted to the internal promotional site. Attendance was NOT required.

Assessment Center Exercises

The assessment center will be composed of three parts: 

Part 1 – Presentation 

Part 2 – Situational Interview

Part 3 – Critical Incident

Before participating in the assessment center, candidates must sign a confidentiality statement. Upon completion of the assessment center, candidates will receive their scores. 

IMPORTANT PROCESS DATES

Candidate Orientation                   January 17, 2025

            Held on Zoom (virtual)

Assessment Center                     March 3, 2025 Location: MRJC only

Applicants should arrange their schedules accordingly so they may be available for their assessment center appointment. Qualified candidates will be invited to the assessment center directly by the National Testing Network.

PLEASE NOTE: There will be no make-up dates scheduled for the assessment center.

ACCOMODATIONS: If you need an accommodation for the assessment center, please contact Jaclyn Smith, Sr, HR Analyst, by , February 10, 2025. Jaclyn Smith can be reached via telephone at (206) 263-3379 or via email at jacsmith@kingcounty.gov  Advance notification is required to allow adequate time to consider and make any accommodations.

UNION REPRESENTATION: This position is represented by the Uniformed Command Association (UCA).

WHY WORK FOR KING COUNTY? 
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ , people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Salary : $126,984 - $142,875