Corrections Program Specialist

We are looking to fill two (2) full time career service positions. A list will be established from this recruitment to fill an immediate vacancy and may be used to fill future vacancies as they become available. This list may remain in effect for up to 18 months but may expire sooner if the list of qualified candidates is exhausted. This opportunity is open to internal King County Department of Adult and Juvenile employees only who have completed their probationary period. Preference will be given to current Local 21 AD members who meet the minimum qualifications. 

Our ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to make sound decisions with limited resources, and work well under pressure. Additionally, the candidate will be well organized and have excellent written and oral communication skills. The incumbent will work within a secure adult detention facility. Requires working directly with a diverse population of residents on a one-to-one basis and with resident groups within the resident housing areas of the jail. Population serviced may be behaviorally, emotionally and/or mentally disturbed and some may be potentially dangerous. Work is performed independently under general supervision provided by Corrections Program Supervisors.

Responsibilities include: Determining resident housing, placement and services needed. Plan and manage placements based on behavior, and security criteria; manage facility bed space; conduct infraction hearings and impose disciplinary sanctions as applicable; review special custody and restrictive housing placement; document decisions and actions in computer based/electronic systems. Access, update and retrieve information utilizing a variety of computer programs/database. Provide excellent customer service.

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.

• Conduct resident intake and classification interviews to determine resident security level and special custody/placement needs; assign resident housing as appropriate and address placement needs. Review/verify: Criminal history information, charge status, incarceration/ conviction history, institutional behavior history and other risk factors to determine appropriate housing.

• Conduct resident assessments to determine program eligibility and identify potential risk factors or issues relating to resident housing/facility safety needs, including, but not limited to: medical, mental health/psychiatric/anger issues, protective custody needs, and concerns/issues related to Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) issues, etc.

• Identify potential behavior management and disciplinary issues, conduct disciplinary hearings and restrictive housing placement and reviews, develop and implement resident behavior management plans as needed.

• Manage facility resident housing to ensure compliance with supervisor directions, related and authorized court orders, and DAJD and classification protocols.

• Review and respond appropriately to resident requests to identify emerging or potential medical, psychiatric or safety issues.

• Compose clear and concise correspondence, reports and appropriate documentation.

• Enter, retrieve and update records and documentation utilizing computer database programs and automated/electronic systems.

• Ensure and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information in all forms (verbal, written and electronic).

• Perform notary services for the resident population

• Perform other duties as assigned within scope and area of responsibility.

• A bachelor’s degree with major coursework in the social sciences or criminal justice, plus two years (24 month) of full-time paid work experience in corrections, or providing social service delivery to clientele from various socio-economic backgrounds; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Six years of full-time paid work experience in the areas noted above will substitute for a bachelor’s degree. Full-time paid work experience in the field of criminal justice/corrections is also required.

•  Demonstrated computer skills. Must be proficient in Microsoft Word and Outlook.

•  Demonstrated ability to multi-task; prioritize workload and work independently with minimal supervision.

•  Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively to a diverse population of internal and external stakeholders. Must have good oral and written communication skills.

•  Ability to work with clients and/or offenders with deviant behaviors, including multiple health, mental health, alcohol and/or substance abuse and anger management issues.

•  Demonstrated experience providing excellent customer service.

•  Ability to make timely decisions with limited resources and, at times, with limited information.

•  Ability to provide direction during crisis and successfully manage conflict while maintaining composure.

•  Demonstrated ability to maintain effective communication and objective interactions with others.

•  Demonstrated experience maintaining confidentiality, personal integrity and dependability.

• Ability to gain and maintain the trust of staff and the public.   

Most competitive candidates will possess:

•  Proficiency using JMS and data collecting systems; ascertaining conviction, criminal, booking and behavior history.

•  Demonstrated experience supervising and or interviewing people from diverse socio- economic and cultural backgrounds.

•  Direct experience interacting with residents on a regular basis.

•  Experience de-escalating angry and hostile residents; skilled in de-escalation techniques.

•  Excellent writing skills; ability to write clear, concise and grammatically correct summaries. (Information written by CP Specialist may be used in court)

WORK LOCATION: Employees in this position may be assigned to either of two work locations: Seattle Division (King County Correctional Facility, 500 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA); or, the Kent Division (Maleng Regional Justice Center, 620 W. James, Kent, WA). Candidates must be willing and able to work in all areas of the facilities and must be in close contact with the resident population. Facility/assignments are based on staffing needs of the department and collective bargaining unit bid processes.

SCHEDULE: This is a 40-hour work week, overtime eligible position. Candidates must be able to work a schedule that includes evenings, weekends and holidays and must be able to be contacted in emergency situations. Facilities are operational 24-hours per day, seven days per week.

Candidates must be willing and able to work all shifts/schedules; assignments are based on staffing needs of the department and collective bargaining unit bid processes.

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.

To apply, go to: http://www.kingcounty.gov/jobs For assistance with the online application process, please contact NeoGov Customer Support toll free at: 1-877-204- 4442 (Governmentjobs.com customer support)

DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Questions regarding this announcement or position may be directed to: Jaclyn Smith, DAJD Sr. Human Resources Analyst; Phone Number: 206-263-3379; or via e-mail to: jacsmith@kingcounty.gov 

UNION REPRESENTATION: This position is represented by Local 21AD : Washington State Council of County and City Employees, Council 2 -- Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention

SELECTION PROCESS: Initial screening will be based upon a review of application materials. The employment history detailed in your application materials must validate/support your responses to the supplemental questions. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next step of the review/selection process. Candidates determined to be most competitive based upon the initial application review will proceed to the oral board, which shall include a computer skills assessment in a written exercise to determine candidates writing skills and computer proficiency.

Necessary Special Requirements: The final candidate for this position must successfully complete a psychological evaluation if not completed during initial hire. Additionally, reference checks will be completed and disciplinary history will be considered in making final promotion decision. 

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 : $92,019 - $116,646