What are the responsibilities and job description for the Classification Counselor 3 | WCCW position at State of Washington Dept. of Corrections?
Description
Classification Counselor 3
Full Time | Non-Permanent
Location: Washington Corrections Center for Women | Gig Harbor, WA
Salary Range: $6,302- $8,477 Monthly
This position is represented by the Teamsters 117 Bargaining Unit.
The Washington Corrections Center for Women Correctional Mental Health Unit is seeking a self-starting team player to join their team as a Classification Counselor 3 (CC3)! The goal of the CC3 is to create success through changes that affect female incarcerates with mental illness in a more positive way throughout the incarceration process from classification to programming to release.
As a Classification Counselor 3, you will provide professional classification expertise with the objective of placing offenders in the least restrictive custody designation, while meeting the need to provide for the safety of the public, staff, visitors, and offenders. Your work will support the agency’s mission to improve public safety by collaborating with community resources and stakeholders to promote successful transition of those we serve.
Some of what your daily to-do list could include would be recording, accessing, updating and retrieving offender-related information from agency database, maintaining electronic and hard copy offender file to accurately reflect current offender status, and writing correspondences, infractions, and incident reports. You will monitor offender programming and behaviors, and exercise sound judgment, aligned with Department policy, in decisions concerning sanctions, treatment, and education referrals.
If you have a desire to make a difference in the lives of many while showing initiative to be proactive in a positive incarceration process, we encourage you to apply!
A completed application packet will include:
- A cover letter regarding your interest for this position with our agency
- A detailed resume
- Three professional references
Duties
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 Classification Counselor 3, some of your duties will include:
-
Managing a caseload of adult criminal offenders which could look like:
- Handling complex and non-routine caseloads
- Investigating all information available for each arriving offender, and determine the offender’s documentation and programming needs
- Completing facility plans, criminal history and risk management tools to determine needs
- Preparing and submitting Offender Release Plans
- Counseling and informing offenders regarding community resources and problems
- Working with internal and external entities to facilitate offender re-entry into the community
- Maintaining communication with offenders
-
Acting as principal assistant to the unit manager which could look like:
- Providing guidance and technical expertise to other staff
- Assuming delegated responsibilities of the unit supervisor in his/her absence
- Mentoring, training, monitoring, and auditing the work of subordinate and/or other lower-level staff
- Providing effective communication and documentation.
- Navigating and maintaining multiple electronic technologies and hard copy files
- Performing other duties as assigned or required
Qualifications
What we need (required qualifications):
- A Master degree in in sociology, psychology, social work, criminology, or closely related field
AND
- One (1) year of professional counseling or casework experience
OR
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
AND
- Two (2) years of professional counseling or casework experience
OR
- Satisfactory completion of two years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits)
AND
- Four (4) years of professional counseling or casework experience.
OR
- One (1) year as a Classification Counselor 2 in Washington State service
AND
- A minimum of satisfactory completion of two years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits)
In addition to the above education and experience, the below knowledge, skills and/or abilities are required:
- Training - Experience training, mentoring, and coaching staff
-
Ability to –
- Write clearly, factually, and concisely.
- Analyze and interpret data, weigh the risks, and make decisions or recommendations to address staff and offender needs.
- Identify and address offender behavior/needs.
- Organize and prioritize work.
- Apply conflict resolution skills.
- Observation - Observes and strategizes personal action based on environmental conditions and human behavior
- Technology - Learns and utilizes computer-based applications in the performance of job duties
- Stress Tolerance - Remains calm and rational while handling difficult situations to include, but not limited to, volatile, threatening, or other crisis/emergency situations. Expertly intervenes in response to threats
- Professional Standards - Knows and applies relevant law, policy, procedure, and practice. Adheres to established productivity standards and timelines. Identifies own training needs and proactively seeks training opportunities
- Adaptability - Incorporates new information into an existing framework of understanding. Accepts change and supports the Agency through changes in law, policy, and procedure.
This is a specialized unit. The selection criteria and process for this position is stated in DOC Policy
400.410 and is as follows:
Department staff assigned to specialized units (i.e., Segregation, Intensive Management Units, and Mental Health Units) 3 or more days a week will meet the selection criteria to work in these units and will be periodically evaluated for continued assignment.
Selection criteria for staff assigned to specialized units will include, but not limited to, staff who have:
- Attained permanent status
- Had no reductions-in-pay, suspensions, or demotions within the last year, as documented in the personnel file
- No pending disciplinary action involving reductions-in-pay, suspensions, or demotions
-
Demonstrated the following characteristics:
- Fairness and respect for all individuals
- Sound decision making practices
- Technical skills for the post
- Advanced communication skills
- Teamwork
- Initiative in accepting responsibility
- Staff assigned to specialized units will be evaluated annually, using the Performance and Development Plan.
The following items will specifically be addressed:
- Contribution to the unit’s objective
- Motivation
- Teamwork
- Overall knowledge of unit operations
- Tolerance for Stress
- Desire to continue working in the unit
- Communication Skills
Staff assigned to a specialized unit who wish to be reassigned may request removal from the assignment through their chain of command.
The Superintendent/designee may remove staff assigned to a specialized unit for failing to meet acceptable standards.
What will make your application stand out (preferred qualifications):
- Ability to work independently
- Rapid problem-solving ability
- Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback/criticism
Supplemental Information
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.
Salary : $6,302 - $8,477
