Hearings Administrator - WMS Band 3

State of Washington•Thurston County – Tumwater, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) is seeking a highly qualified and motivated individual to join the Employee & Organizational Support Division as the Hearings Administrator. This position reports to the Deputy Assistant Secretary and is responsible for providing leadership and direction to a team of quasi-judicial hearings supervisors and officers. The incumbent of choice will be responsible for the statewide leadership, operations and management of the Hearings Unit. Including assuring all staff are equipped with appropriate training and resources and are aware of their roles and responsibilities. Per RCW 9.94A.737(8), Hearings Officers shall report through a chain of command separate from that of community corrections officers so that a fair, impartial, neutral party determines sanctions and confinement. This program is governed by the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), RCWs, case law, and Department policies to determine if the allegation(s) are appropriate for loss of liberty in order to hold individuals accountable for their behavior for the purpose of "Improving Public Safety". The Hearings Administrator supports the Department's mission by administering and overseeing the administrative hearing process that is constitutionally fair and legally sound and provides for a systemic procedures for addressing allegations of non-compliance for .762 infractions in total confinement, infractions for individuals in partial confinement status, and allegations of non-compliance for those supervised in the community through appropriate sanctions. The goal of addressing non-compliance ensures community safety and may influence positive change by the individual. This position reports to a Senior Director and is responsible for providing leadership and direction to a team of quasi-judicial hearings supervisors, officers, and hearing operational team.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
At least 10 years of work experience for an adult correctional agency or closely related field.
A degree in Criminal Justice, Law, Public Administration, Social Work, Sociology, or closely related field from a college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the US Department of Education or foreign equivalent may substitute year for year up to 4 years of this experience.
At least 3 years of management or supervisory experience working with an adult correctional agency or closely related field (can be gained concurrently with the 10 years of work experience).
At least 5 years of knowledge and working experience related to state laws, case law, WACs related to due process and liberty interests for administrative hearings.
At least 4 years of experience in administrative hearings as either a participant or hearings officer in adult corrections (can be gained concurrently with the 10 years of work experience).
Ability to analyze information, define problems or objectives, formulate logical and objective conclusions, recognize alternatives, and make recommendations.
All staff entering into employment with the Department of Corrections must possess the following values at the time of hire: Cultivate an environment of integrity and trust: Corrections values partnership and trust. We foster openness and support courageous conversations. We are committed to doing what we say we are going to do by being accountable and taking personal ownership in our actions. Respectful and inclusive interactions: Corrections appreciates and values individuals by promoting an inclusive and diverse environment, which encourages safety. We respect, value, and listen to the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of our stakeholders and consider the impact on those we serve as well as each other. People's safety: Corrections believes in creating an environment that values physical, mental, and emotional security and well-being. We honor those who advance safety for all. Positivity in words and actions: At Corrections, we assume positive intentions and believe there is a shared desire for the best outcome. We consistently demonstrate positive behavior and always put forth our best effort. Supporting people's success: Corrections is committed to our community – understanding individuals, instilling hope, embracing change, and providing opportunities.
Candidates who are offered a job with the Department of Corrections must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
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.

Nice To Haves

A Bachelors or higher degree in Criminal Justice, Law, Public Administration, Social Work, Sociology, or a closely related field from a college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the US Department of Education or foreign equivalent.
Three years of professional experience in dispute resolution either in a court, mediation, arbitration, quasi-judicial, or administrative hearings processes.
Experience/knowledge of certain individual populations such as mental health, homeless, veterans, and cognitive deficits and their unique barriers impacting reentry following release.
At least 1 year of experience working in collaborative relationships within DOC for multi-divisional workgroups/projects or legislative implementation.
Experience analyzing legislative bills for operational impact.
Experience implementing legislation or agency decisions.
Established working relationships with leadership within Community Corrections Division, Reentry Division, Prisons Division, and Health Services.

Responsibilities

Sole responsibility for ensuring the Department is aligned with all existing RCWs, WACs, Court of Appeals, and agency decisions to lead the department and help direct the department in the present and future regarding administrative hearings for .762 hearings in total confinement, infraction hearings for those on partial confinement status; and supervision hearings for those supervised in the community and probable cause reviews for individuals supervised in the community.
Maintain and modify (as needed) an administrative hearing process which meets the requirements of due process.
Maintain/modify strategies to strengthen the integrity, credibility, and defensibility of administrative hearings.
Interpret, develop, and revise WACs and DOC policy related to administrative hearings in consultation with division leadership and the Attorney General's Office (AGO).
Adapt program changes to include statute requirements, WAC requirements, Court of Appeals and agency decisions.
Coordinate creation/revision of DOC forms that correspond with DOC policy.
Develop and implement communication strategies to inform impacted staff of changes to Administrative Hearings processes.
Respond to all concerns and correspondence related to administrative hearings.
Maintain (may delegate) statewide data collection for Administrative Hearings and report annually on the data to agency leadership and Hearings Unit.
Ensure training and education are developed and delivered within the Department to ensure that due process and liberty issues are not compromised. Training assists the department in mitigating risk, torts, and other lawsuits.
Collaborate with Hearings Unit Leadership and other agency divisions to assess, determine, and prioritize training topics for Hearings Unit staff.
Collaborate with the Training and Development Unit to assess training needs for agency academies.
Update training materials as needed.
Delivery training/education as requested by other divisions/units of the agency.
Develop and implement a quality assurance program to ensure that due process and liberty issues are not compromised and hearing processes are followed.
Collaborate with Hearings Unit Leadership and other agency divisions to assess and develop topics to review as quality assurance program for Hearings Unit staff.
Ensure that the Hearings Unit implements a quality assurance program and outcomes are reported every 6 months to agency leadership and to the Hearings Unit.
Manage and lead staff. Plan, assign, and review the work of staff, developing strategies to adjust assignments and schedules to maintain adequate staffing levels and respond to fluctuating workloads.
Update Position Descriptions, determine employee work expectations and evaluate employee performance to prepare timely Performance Development Plans.
Assess training needs of staff and arrange for or provide instruction.
Review applicants' credentials, conduct interviews, and effectively recommend hiring of staff.
Resolve staff issues; effectively recommend discipline, recognize employee performance, and counsel employees in work-related activities and career development.
This position is assigned as the owner for DOC policy Hearings and Appeals, 460.140 and for WAC updates to 137-104. This includes working with stakeholder groups to revise the policy and WAC. The policy and WAC applies statewide to prison, reentry, and field.
This position is responsible to provide feedback and impact to these key policies related to the administrative hearing processes: Response to Violations and New Criminal Activity; 460.130; Behavior Management for Partial Confinement 460.135.
In addition, this position monitors many other policies that may impact the hearing processes or decisions such as drug/alcohol testing, imposed conditions, and intake policies.
This position is the expert on hearings and is required to: conduct program and legal research; consult with agency leadership when seeking additional guidance from the Attorney General's Office; develop rules and policy; and recommend statutory changes when necessary.
This position is responsible for a fair, constitutional, and legal hearing and negotiated sanction review process, including legal compliance with the rules of evidence and due process.
This position is responsible for assuring a fair, constitutional, and legal probable cause reviews, appeals process, determination of aggravating factors, dismissals with and without prejudice, and conditional releases.
This position is required to monitor and review hearings and probable cause reviews and may conduct hearings and probable cause reviews.
This position manages and develops budget requests for areas under this position's authority - annual budget is over $6M. The budget includes 45 FTEs and $120,000 for attorney contract services.