Correctional Hearings Officer 3 - Hearings | Tacoma

State of Washington•Pierce County – Tacoma, WA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Corrections is seeking a highly dedicated legal guru to join the Employee & Business Support Services Administration Hearings Unit as a Correctional Hearings Officer 3 (CHO3). The goal of this position is to conduct all legally binding administrative Department of Corrections hearings in accordance with identified standards and regulations as defined in statutes, case law, policies, and court decisions. As a Correctional Hearings Officer, you will be responsible for presiding over a complex and diverse range of quasi-judicial proceedings, assuring a fair hearing process and ensuring due process requirements are met, to include the individual’s right to full and timely notice and the right to confront the evidence used against them. The hearings officer will make probable cause determinations to establish whether the evidentiary burden of proof is met. The candidate of choice will make an independent determination, mitigating any risk of unintentional bias, bolstering impartiality and applying consistency in the application statewide. This position is a member of a regional team and contributes potential solutions and improvements that support the integrity and efficiency of Department of Corrections administrative hearings process. If you have experience conducting hearings, presenting cases in court or hearings, mediation, dispute resolution, or restorative justice practices, and you’re searching for a meaningful career in public service, we look forward to reviewing your application materials!

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized with the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) AND Three (3) years of experience conducting hearings; presenting cases in court or hearings, mediation, dispute resolution, or restorative justice practices
OR Associates Degree AND Five (5) years of experience conducting hearings; presenting cases in Court or hearings, mediation, dispute resolution, or restorative justice practices
OR High school diploma or equivalent AND Seven (7) years of experience conducting hearings; presenting cases in court or hearings, mediation, dispute resolution, or restorative justice practices.

Nice To Haves

Four-year degree from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
Juris Doctorate degree, or graduate degree in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Law or related field
Experience as a Hearings Examiner, Mediator, Arbitrator, Court Commissioner or Judge

Responsibilities

Independently presiding over hearings and negotiated sanction reviews as assigned throughout Washington State which could include: Serving as the quasi-judicial body who presides over administrative disciplinary hearings for individuals identified by statute and policy who are alleged to have committed violations of their conditions
Proactively avoiding all ex parte communication regarding any process they may preside over
Communicating with case managers regarding potential safety and security concerns
Collaborating with the case manager and host facility to mitigate safety and security concerns
Ensuring individuals are afforded all required due process and that hearing procedures are strictly followed consistent with case law and in accordance with federal and state law
Verifying full and timely notice, verifying jurisdiction to conduct hearing, verifying foundation for any allegation, and determining guilt of any allegation
Applying neutral and unbiased discretion to determine whether the preponderance standard has been met, or whether probable cause has been met for Interstate Compact hearings
Applying neutral and unbiased discretion to impose reasonable and appropriate sanctions, according to state law, up to and including DOSA revocation and return to prison
Evaluating and determining if eligible individuals require attorney representation for the hearing utilizing a screening tool
Presiding in hearings in which individuals are represented by an attorney
Determining whether discovery requests are reasonable, relevant, and not unduly burdensome, whether withheld or redacted records should be provided
Reviewing and approving/rejecting sanction agreements. Reviews packets to verify jurisdiction and foundation in advance of the scheduled process
Performing all prep work necessary to conduct hearings and negotiated sanctions within directed timeframes
Regular statewide travel is required of Hearing Officer
Determining if the evidentiary burden is met to support the finding of probable cause for all formal disciplinary processes for individuals supervised by the Community Corrections Division.
Serving as the Statewide Hearings Duty Officer
Participating as a regional hearings appeal panel member and responding to correspondence
Training and development
Other duties as assigned