Classification Counselor 3 - Teamsters

State of Washington•Snohomish County – Monroe, WA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Corrections is hiring a Classification Counselor 3 (CC3) at Monroe Correctional Complex (MCC) in Monroe, Washington. This is a full-time, permanent position; the recruitment is open to internal DOC employees only and may be used to fill multiple vacancies. MCC is an 1,800-bed, all-custody-level facility serving male and transgender incarcerated individuals and includes five major units. The complex is a hub for medical and psychiatric care within DOC. The CC3 serves as a principal assistant to a unit manager, manages a caseload of adult incarcerated individuals, and provides effective communication and documentation. The role requires using multiple electronic technologies and maintaining hard-copy files. As a lead supervisor, the CC3 provides technical guidance to staff, may assume delegated unit-supervisor responsibilities, and mentors, trains, monitors, audits, assigns, and evaluates staff work. The position also handles complex and non-routine caseloads and performs other assigned or required duties. The position involves working directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous correctional setting. Physical requirements include working in spaces, climbing stairs, walking long distances, and frequently lifting up to 30 pounds; rarely, the employee may need to lift or carry up to 50 pounds and push up to 100 pounds. Respirator medical evaluation, fit testing, training, and use may be required.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA, plus two years of professional counseling or casework experience; a master’s degree in sociology, psychology, social work, criminology, or a closely related field may substitute for one year of the required experience.
Alternatively, satisfactory completion of two years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits) and four years of professional counseling or casework experience. College coursework related to Criminal Justice, Case Management, or similar is specified.
Alternatively, one year as a Classification Counselor 2 in Washington State service, including at least two years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits). College coursework related to Criminal Justice, Case Management, or similar is specified.
Corrections experience means work focused on dealing directly with incarcerated individuals a majority of the time.
College-level credits are defined by Washington DOC as 100-level and above classes.
Ability to write clearly, factually, and concisely.
Ability to analyze and interpret data, weigh risks, and make decisions or recommendations to address staff and offender needs.
Ability to identify and address offender behavior and needs.
Ability to organize and prioritize work.
Ability to apply conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to observe environmental conditions and human behavior and strategize personal action accordingly.
Ability to learn and use computer-based applications in performing job duties.
Ability to remain calm and rational in difficult, volatile, threatening, or crisis/emergency situations and to intervene expertly in response to threats.
Knowledge of and ability to apply relevant law, policy, procedure, and practice; adherence to productivity standards and timelines; ability to identify training needs and proactively seek training.
Ability to incorporate new information, accept change, and support the agency through changes in law, policy, and procedure.
At least three professional references are requested with the application; each must include a phone number and email address.

Responsibilities

Serve as principal assistant to a unit manager and manage a caseload of adult incarcerated individuals.
Provide guideline and technical expertise to other staff as a lead supervisor.
Assume delegated responsibilities of the unit supervisor in the supervisor’s absence.
Mentor, train, monitor, and audit subordinate and/or lower-level staff; assign and evaluate work.
Handle complex and non-routine caseloads.
Investigate available information for each arriving incarcerated individual to determine documentation and programming needs.
Complete facility plans, criminal-history assessments, and risk-management tools to determine needs.
Prepare and submit release plans for incarcerated individuals.
Counsel and inform incarcerated individuals about community resources and problems.
Coordinate with internal and external entities to facilitate re-entry.
Maintain communication with incarcerated individuals to assist with attorney calls, child custody or support hearings with DSHS and courts, and family contact during crisis or emergency situations.
Monitor incarcerated individuals’ programming and behavior.
Write correspondence, infractions, and incident reports.
Communicate clearly, concisely, and consistently with staff, incarcerated individuals, and stakeholders.
Complete paperwork for special visits, deathbed visits, funeral outings, job referrals, End of Sentence Review packets, Extended Family Visits, marriages, psychological evaluation requests, incarcerated-individual correspondence, and out-of-state and international transfers.
Provide monthly reports and participate in meetings.
Testify before courts, boards, and classification or disciplinary hearings.