Correctional Officer 1, (CO2) Bellingham Reentry Center

State of Washington•Whatcom County – Bellingham, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Corrections is seeking highly motivated and talented individuals for the positions of Correctional Officer 1 and/or 2, at the Bellingham Reentry Center (BRC) in Bellingham, WA. BRC is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The on call/intermittent positions have no minimum hour guarantee. Custody Level: Minimum security. Residents: Male and female facility. BRC is located in the northwest corner of Washington state, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It operates in two side-by-side buildings in a downtown college area of Bellingham. BRC has operated since 1976 and has been in its current location since 1981. BRC’s primary goal is to improve public safety by positively changing lives by supporting residents’ reestablishment of positive family ties, access to employment and education and other services that aid in their transition back to the community. Residents who meet the screening criteria may be transferred to BRC 12 months before their earliest release date. The facility is leased and operated by the Washington State Department of Corrections and provides 24/7 safety and security, food services, case management and maintenance. Whether the work is inside a prison, in community corrections, or in an administrative office, the Washington State Department of Corrections professional staff experience a high degree of personal satisfaction knowing they are creating environments in which all incarcerated individuals can learn to make choices that contribute to a safer society. This job class is designated as in-training. The employee will advance to CO2 after satisfactory completion of the CO1 training requirements. In an adult correctional facility, Correctional Officers provide safety and security, and assist in controlling, directing, and monitoring the activities and movement of incarcerated individuals. This includes maintaining security of the institution and controlling movement into, out of and within the institution in accordance with established department methods and procedures. Correctional Officers are expected to be a positive role model and work with the incarcerated individuals to help them become productive members of society from the day they arrive under supervision. Correctional Officers use interpersonal skills and good communication skills to correct and counteract criminal thinking while maintaining safe confinement environments for the individuals to pursue a successful re-entry into communities. The successful candidates for Correctional Officer 1 will possess creative thinking, self-confidence, strong role-modeling and good physical and mental conditioning. Overtime is an essential function of this position. Correctional Officers must successfully complete Correctional Worker Core (CWC), a six-week academy for all correctional workers employed in DOC prison facilities. We know that managing difficult people takes more than force. It takes observation, knowledge, skills, and continual practice. Every DOC employee is provided with initial training designed to help assure safe working conditions and will continue to get on-the-job training throughout their employment.

Requirements

Graduation from high school or GED
Valid Driver's license
The legal (Constitutional) right to carry a firearm
One year of experience as a Department of Corrections (DOC) Corrections and Custody Officer, which includes successful completion of the CORE (Academy) and the Correctional Officer Field Training Program.
One year of experience as a Correctional Officer in adult or juvenile corrections where security functions equivalent to a DOC Corrections and Security Officer 2 were performed.

Nice To Haves

Creative thinking
Self-confidence
Strong role-modeling abilities
Good physical and mental conditioning

Responsibilities

Provide safety and security in an adult correctional facility.
Assist in controlling, directing, and monitoring the activities and movement of incarcerated individuals.
Maintain security of the institution and control movement into, out of, and within the institution.
Act as a positive role model for incarcerated individuals.
Work with incarcerated individuals to help them become productive members of society.
Use interpersonal and communication skills to correct and counteract criminal thinking.
Maintain safe confinement environments for individuals to pursue successful re-entry into communities.
Successfully complete Correctional Worker Core (CWC), a six-week academy.
Perform duties in a safe manner.
Take proper care of all state-issued equipment.
Maintain confidentiality of all information when working offsite.