Correctional Officer, Sr. jobs in Olympia, WA

Correctional Hearings Officer 3  

Office of the Deputy Secretary - Hearings Unit

DOC Headquarters – Tumwater, WA

*This recruitment is being extended to broaden the candidate pool.*

These positions will be required to work at various facilities and may be eligible for part-time telework.

The Washington State Department of Corrections is seeking highly motivated and qualified individuals to fill several permanent Correctional Hearings Officer 3 (CHO3) positions within the Office of the Deputy Secretary, Hearings Unit, located in Tumwater, WA. 

Our mission at the Department of Corrections (DOC) is to 'improve public safety by positively changing lives'. With a vast number of innovative sustainability programs, and evidence-based practices used to reduce recidivism, Washington State is highly regarded as a strong leader in the   field of Corrections. For additional information about the agency, please visit doc.wa.gov.

To begin the online Application Process: 
Click the green 'Apply' button located at the top right corner of this the job posting. 

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The following must be attached to your completed application:

1. A cover letter outlining your qualifications.
2. A detailed chronological resumé.
3. And at least three professional references with a phone number and an email address for each.

Click "Accept & Submit" to submit your application. Incomplete application packages may be disqualified from the process.

Independently preside over hearings and negotiated sanction reviews as assigned throughout Washington State

• Serve as the quasi-judicial body who presides over administrative disciplinary hearings
• Proactively avoid all ex parte communication
• Collaborate with the case manager and host facility to mitigate safety and security concerns
• Ensures 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
• Verify full and timely notice, jurisdiction to conduct hearing, and foundation for any adjudicated allegation to determine guilt of any allegation
• Apply neutral and unbiased discretion to determine whether the preponderance standard has been met, or whether probable cause has been met for Interstate Compact hearings
• Evaluate evidence using applicable standards, including hearsay and relevance
• Assess witness credibility and reliability
• Apply neutral and unbiased discretion to impose reasonable and appropriate sanctions, according to state law, up to and including DOSA revocation and return to prison
• Verbally articulate on record clear reasoning for all findings and sanctions
• Document the hearing process including analysis of evidence relied upon, and rationale for decisions in an audio and written record
• Evaluate and determine if eligible individuals require attorney representation for the hearing
• Preside in hearings in which individuals are represented by an attorney
• Determine whether discovery requests are reasonable
• Determine if good cause exists
• Ensure the individual knowingly and voluntarily admits to the allegation(s) and determine whether the recommended sanction is reasonably related to the crime of conviction, violation committed, risk to reoffend, and/or safety of the community
• Perform all prep work necessary to conduct hearings and negotiated sanctions within directed timeframes
• Document each process and decision in writing and audio recording
• Enter all hearing and negotiated sanction decisions and upload all audio recordings in the individuals electronic record within directed timeframes
• Distribute documentation to various stakeholders as required
• Regular statewide travel is required

Determine 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

• Required to address the influx of probable cause requests timely, with all findings completed within one business day
• Make probable cause findings for all formal disciplinary actions, including low- and high-level responses, including community-based responses
• Determine whether the necessary burden of evidence to find probable cause has been met
• Approve or deny requests based on established law and policy
• Communicate with case management
• Document all decisions per policy

Statewide Hearings Duty Officer

• Readily available and accessible via telephone to all staff for hearings related issues
• Review conditional release requests from 5:00pm to 8:00am and 24 hours during weekends and holidays
• Independently determines requests to: aggravate low-level violation processes to high-level, conditionally release community custody individuals, and to dismiss alleged violations with and without prejudice
• Document all decisions per policy
• Enter aggravators and conditional releases into the supervised individual’s electronic record

Participate as a regional hearings appeal panel member and responds to correspondence

• Review and respond to appeal requests from individuals
• Review entire record of an appealed hearing/ avoids use/review of any extrinsic evidence
• Verify due process and legal requirements were met in all aspects of the hearing or low-level response
• Verify sanction was reasonable and in compliance with all applicable law and state policy
• Review for an abuse of discretion
• Forward concerns regarding any possible manifest error to the Appeal Panel Lead or Hearings Unit Administrator

Training and development

• Complete all annual training within timeframes as assigned
• Participate in ongoing training provided within the Hearings Unit

Other duties as assigned

• Timely alert the Hearings Supervisor to emergent issues
• Comply with PREA policy whenever necessary

Required:

• A 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).
• Three (3) years of experience in conducting hearings, presenting cases in court or hearings, mediation, dispute resolution, or restorative justice practices.
• Ability to write clearly, factually, and concisely.
• Effective oral and written communication skills in routine and emergency situations. 
• Positive and professional interpersonal relationship skills
• Must be a Notary Public or possess the ability to become a Notary in the State of Washington.

Desired:

• 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.

Special Requirements:

• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Must become a Notary Public within 90-days and maintain Notary status throughout employment.

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:

• 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.
• This position may be represented by a bargaining unit.

Telework Details
This position may be allocated for part-time 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. 

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!

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email DOCHREBSSRHRSupport@doc1.wa.gov or call us at (509) 392-3111. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.