Legal Liaison Officer | Corrections Specialist 2

Legal Liaison Officer | Corrections Specialist 2

Full Time | Permanent

Location: Clallam Bay Correctios Center | Clallam Bay, WA

Salary Range: $4,740 - $6,384 Monthly

The Washington State Department of Corrections is seeking a knowledgeable and dedicated individual to join the Clallam Bay Corrections Center as the Legal Liaison Officer (Corrections Specialist 2)! The goal of this position is to assume responsibility responsible for the local management of a variety of administrative programs and operating under compliance with the parameters set by higher-level program managers at DOC HQ. 

As the Legal Liaison Officer, you will act independently and autonomsly to complete daily tasks in various capacities including serving as the Public Information Officer, Public Disclosure Coordinator and Audit Compliance Coordinator. You will also represent the Clallam Bay Corrections Center and support the facility by providing accurate and timely information to a variety of internal and external stakeholders while maintaining an open flow of information regarding various aspects of institution programs.

The candidate of choice will provide notary services and serves as backup notary for the law library, work closely with Law Library staff regarding legal access inquiries as they arise, and oversee processing and delivery of Electronic Filing from Washington State and Federal Court systems, among other critical business objectives for the facility. You will also be responsible for providing responses to, and facilitating requests, from third-parties to fulfill service of process requests regarding the incarcerated population

If you have experience in office/clerical positions, experience working in the public sector, and knowledge of state government, we encourage you to review this job posting and 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

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 2, some of your duties will include: 

• Assuming the role as the Legal Liaison Officer (LLO) which could look like: 
  • Serving as conduit between the Attorney General’s Office (AGO), the Office of Risk Management within the DES, and facility staff
  • Reviewing, compiling information and responding to other litigation/discovery requests/subpoenas/AGO requests
  • Preparing legal declarations and responds on behalf of the facility and department
  • Managing and overseeing virtual court hearings program 
• Acting as the Public Information Officer to include: 
  • Acting as a spokesperson for the facility
  • Communicating with staff, incarcerated individuals, attorneys, the AGO, and media 
  • Being the Designated Public Information Officer (PIO) for media events and emergency responses
  • Serving as member of the Incident Command Post during incidents that require use of the Incident Command System (ICS)
• Assuming the role as the Public Records Coordinator including: 
  • Receiving all public records requests for review and assignment
  • Tracking assignments to ensure timely responses
  • Preparing records for disclosure in compliance with the Public Records Act, other applicable statutes, and DOC policies and procedures
  • Managing the facility Public Records Unit
• Administrative support of Facility and Superintendent
• Audit Compliance Coordinator
• Other Duties as assigned

What we need (required qualifications):

AND

AND

• The ability to obtain notary credentials within first 90 days
• 1-year relative experience in the public sector 
• Knowledge of Public Records Act (RCW 42.56)

Formal education 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 may substitute for clerical experience on a year-for-year basis

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of government organizations and functions; administrative and office procedures, research and data collection; policies of the Department of Corrections and local Operational memorandums; the courts and legal system' legal research; policy development; record retention, media relations; public information; public disclosure
• Knowledge and understanding of the field of corrections, Revised Code of Washington; and Washington Administrative Code
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) with excellent grammar; interpret policy, compose and respond to communications from staff, inmates, courts, and the Attorney General's Office; interpersonal skills to develop working relationships with all areas of the department, facility and the public; manage, mentor and train staff, make effective decisions, anticipate, advise, and coordinate long range planning for the areas of responsibility and communicate well under trying circumstances (emergencies) for extended periods of time
• Working knowledge of public information systems and legal issues. Above average communication and interpersonal skills. Supervisory and Management experience
• Demonstrated organization and time management skills
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with all levels of staff to include management
• Demonstrated ability in business writing
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in the performance of this role
• Ability to work under extreme stress
• Ability to use discretion and independent judgment
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to manage local administrative programs and processes

What will make your application stand out (preferred qualifications): 

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognized accredited college or university whose accreditations are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
• Three years of professional experience in adult or juvenile corrections
• Two years of experience in any of the following: 
  • Working in legal environment
  • Working in public relations
  • Maintaining a SharePoint site
  • Providing higher level administrative support
  • Experience with auditing in a public sector environment

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 : $4,740 - $6,384