Director, Office of the Corrections Ombuds (OCO)

Description

Terms of Appointment: Per RCW, the person appointed ombuds holds office for a term of three years and continues to hold office until reappointed or until his or her successor is appointed. The governor may remove the ombuds only for neglect of duty, misconduct, or the inability to perform duties. Any vacancy must be filled by similar appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.

Why work for the Office of the Corrections Ombuds?

At the Office of the Corrections Ombuds (OCO), we are driven by a powerful mission: to create a more humane, transparent, and equitable Washington Corrections system. As an independent and impartial agency established by the Legislature, we are committed to advocating for incarcerated individuals, resolving conflicts, and fostering systemic improvements within the Department of Corrections (DOC). Our vision is to empower those impacted by incarceration to raise their concerns, reduce harm, and influence positive change across the system.

Our work is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. We provide crucial information to incarcerated individuals and their families, raising awareness about their rights and responsibilities, and ensuring that our services are equitable and inclusive. Diversity and lived experience are at the heart of our mission as we work to build a corrections system that serves everyone fairly.

The job opportunity

We are looking for a dynamic and visionary leader to join us as the OCO Director. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of the Office of the Corrections Ombuds and make a real difference in the lives of individuals affected by incarceration. As OCO Director, you will:

• Lead with Impact: You’ll be at the helm of our organization, shaping and guiding the operations to ensure we meet our statutory obligations while continuously improving our services. To accomplish this, the Director will be required to be actively engaging directly with communities and other key partners.
• Drive Positive Change: Evaluate and refine policies, systems, and processes to create meaningful change in the corrections system. Your leadership will directly influence how we negotiate outcomes, recommend reforms, and address both individual and systemic issues.
• Engage with Diverse Stakeholders: Build strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including elected officials, state agencies, incarcerated individuals, their families, and communities advocating for the rights of incarcerated people.
• Empower and Support Your Team: As a leader, you will provide direction, support, and the tools your team needs to excel. You’ll ensure that our organization aligns with the Governor’s vision and that our mission is effectively carried out at every level.
• Champion Communication and Branding: Oversee media relations, ensuring consistent messaging that reflects the OCO’s mission and values while maintaining compliance with all agency standards.

If you're passionate about justice reform, committed to human rights, and eager to make a lasting impact in Washington's corrections system, this is the role for you.

Duties

What you’ll work on

The OCO must oversee and/or is responsible for:

• Monitor DOC compliance with federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and policies related to the health, safety, welfare and rehabilitation of incarcerated persons.
• Participate in legislative and policy developments affecting correction facilities.
• Maintain a statewide uniform reporting system to collect and analyze data regarding DOC complaints.
• Hold public meetings every quarter.
• Submit an annual report to the governor's office, the legislature, and the statewide family council, by November 1st of each year.
• Lead and support agency’s participation and reporting mechanism as required by RCW 72.09.770.
• Work with a wide range of people, including lawmakers, the Governor’s Office, DOC leaders, incarcerated individuals, and criminal justice reform groups to address issues and improve Washington corrections system.
• Advise state agencies and leaders on improving conditions of confinement and ensure policies align with the Governor’s goals for successful reentry.
• Oversee the agency's annual budget ($2.5 million for FY25) and adjust resources as needed.
• Lead and support agency’s participation and reporting mechanism as required by RCW 72.09.770 Unexpected Fatality Reviews.
• Work with incarcerated individuals, their families, and others to identify and address gaps between the rights of incarcerated individuals and current laws or policies.
• Help incarcerated individuals advocate for themselves by providing guidance and resources.
• Maintain a statewide toll-free telephone number, website, and a mailing address for the receipt of complaints and inquiries.

Qualifications

What we need you to bring

Required Qualifications:

• Experience with providing oversight, monitoring, or advocating for changes within the criminal justice or corrections systems, such as working with regulatory agencies, policy advocacy groups, or human rights organizations.
• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the correctional system, including legal rights and rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals as well as rules and regulations governing correctional facilities and staff.
• Knowledge of legal processes and standards for investigating complaints, conducting hearings, or making recommendations.
• Professional and engaging written and verbal communication skills are essential, including experience with crafting reports, press releases, testifying before legislative bodies, advocacy, de-escalation and negotiation techniques.
• Experience in leadership roles and managing teams. Proven ability to lead, motivate, and oversee staff, set strategic priorities, and ensure operational efficiency. Knowledge of the cultural, racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds of incarcerated individuals and ability to identify systemic barriers.

Desired Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in criminal justice, law, public administration, social work, or a related field.
• Experience with the following:
  • Developing, managing and monitoring budgets ensuring resources are allocated efficiently and in alignment with organizational priorities.
  • Applying or leading structured investigative methods to gather, review and cross-check information. Compile or oversee investigative findings to ensure they are clear, concise and well-supported reports.
  • Drafting policy and/or legislation and rules relevant to the governance of corrections systems.
  • Working with the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA).
  • Working with the principles of conflict resolution and alternative dispute resolution, as a trained mediator, ombuds, and/or negotiator.
  • Working with individuals who are incarcerated and supervising a diverse workforce including formerly incarcerated individuals.
  • Working with diverse stakeholders, including people with lived experience of incarceration.
  • Caseload management and prioritization of workload with ability to manage multiple projects and issues concurrently.
• Familiarity with WADOC policy, practice, and culture, and the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).
• Knowledgeable about the challenges of reintegration into society post-incarceration and ability to assist in accessing resources or programs aimed at successful reentry, including job training, housing and support services.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have transferable experience, please tell us about it or contact us with questions about the required qualifications and how your experience relates to them.

Supplemental Information

Supplemental Information:

What we offer:

We foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.

Please visit our Recruitment Page for a full list of benefits available to employees. Here’s a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that we offer:

• An environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
• Tuition reimbursement
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year
• State retirement programs

Application Process: Once you’ve decided to apply for a state government job, you’ll complete an online application to showcase your qualifications. Keep in mind that once you submit the application, a real person is going to read it. We do not use AI or other technology that screens your application and rejects it. So please be sure to provide clear and detailed information about your work history so your qualifications can be accurately assessed. We will contact the top candidates directly to schedule interviews. If you need reasonable accommodation in applying, please call 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

When completing your application, we encourage you to attach all of the following:

• Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
• Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
• References: at least three professional references and their contact information.

Questions:

Our Staff ASL interpreter is available to all deaf and hard of hearing applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please email us atTalentAcquisition@ofm.wa.gov.

The Office of the Governor is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.