What are the responsibilities and job description for the Corrections Specialist 4 | Cognitive Behavioral Interventions position at State of Washington Dept. of Corrections?
Description
Corrections Specialist 4 | Cognitive Behavioral Interventions
Full Time | Permanent
Location: Federal Way Community Corrections Office | Auburn, WA
Salary Range: $84,792- $114,072 Annually (CS4)
This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees bargaining unit.
The Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) is seeking a skilled and empathetic facilitator to support individuals in developing the skills needed for successful reentry and a safer community as a Corrections Specialist 4 (CS4)! As part of the Reentry Division, the goal of this position is to deliver CBI courses with fidelity helping participants recognizing patterns and thinking behaviors, practice new skills, and make choices that support lasting change.
The Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CBI) Corrections Specialist facilitates evidence-based CBI programs for incarcerated individuals, providing professional assessment, evaluation, and program delivery. Working collaboratively with DOC staff throughout the case management process, this position helps participants develop cognitive self-change skills, strengthen social abilities, improve problem-solving, and make positive behavioral changes that support successful reentry and reduce recidivism.
If you are passionate about meaningful behavior change and helping individuals build a successful path forward, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on individuals, families, and communities.
A completed application packet will include:
- A cover letter regarding your interest in this position with our agency
- A detailed resume
- Three professional references
To broaden the candidate pool, this position could be filled by a candidate meeting the Corrections Specialist 3 (CS3) qualifications as an in-training position to a CS4. To learn more about the qualifications of an CS3, please see the “qualifications” section of the job posting.
Duties
We are looking for teammates who share our vision of public service and are committed to an equitable and inclusive culture that fosters and inspires excellence, while promoting innovation, engagement, and safety, leading to better outcomes for our incarcerated population, our agency, and our community.
As a Corrections Specialist 4, some of your duties will include:
- Providing professional delivery of all Cognitive Behavioral Interventions (CBIs) within the inventory of the Cognitive Behavioral Interventions (CBI) Unit to eligible participants actively under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections which could look like:
- Facilitating CBI groups and individualized CBI sessions
- Reviewing and adhering to standards as outlined in the CBI Facilitators Guides
- Screening, and assigning participants to designated Cognitive Behavioral Interventions using approved criteria and prioritization strategies
- Scheduling classes and developing class rosters for selected eligible participants
- Notifying participants of selection and intervention start date, schedule, and location
- Notifying the Fidelity Unit of the intervention start date, schedule, and location
- Preparing lesson plans for the delivery of interventions
- Delivering intervention to participants according to lesson plan
- Observing and monitoring individual participation and provide feedback on the lesson by providing reinforcements and additional coaching as necessary
- Identifying and setting appropriate behavioral targets to increase or decrease identified participants behaviors
- Scheduling and facilitating make-up sessions as necessary and in accordance with intervention and Facilitator Guide requirements
- Assessing participant progress to determine intervention advancement
- Hosting graduation events to acknowledge participants’ achievements in completing the intervention
- Completing participant orientations to the intervention
- Sharing with stakeholders the status of the ongoing Cognitive Behavioral Intervention.
- Participating in and complete all scheduled training/coaching sessions for Cognitive Behavioral Interventions
- Documenting individual participation
- Other duties as assigned by Reentry Division
Qualifications
What we need (required qualifications):
- A Bachelor’s degree from a college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the US Department of Education.
AND
- Three years as a Community Corrections Officer within the Washington State Department of Corrections
OR
- Three years of professional case management* experience in adult or juvenile corrections or closely related field which includes at least three of the following:
- Making field visits
- Writing reports
- Assessing cases and making recommendations
- Referring people to appropriate resources
- Presenting cases in court or hearings
AND
- Six months experience facilitating CBI programs or professional experience in training or teaching equivalent to three full-time years.
OR
- An Associate’s degree from a college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the US Department of Education.
AND
- Five years as a Community Corrections Officer within the Washington State Department of Corrections
OR
- Five years of professional case management* experience in adult or juvenile corrections or closely related field which includes at least three of the following:
- Making field visits
- Writing reports
- Assessing cases and making recommendations
- Referring people to appropriate resources
- Presenting cases in court or hearings
AND
- Six months experience facilitating CBI programs or professional experience in training or teaching equivalent to three full-time years.
OR
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalency
AND
- Seven (7) years of professional case management* experience in adult or juvenile corrections or closely related field which includes at least three of the following:
- Making field visits
- Writing reports
- Assessing cases and making recommendations
- Referring people to appropriate resources
- Presenting cases in court or hearings
AND
- Six months experience facilitating CBI programs or professional experience in training or teaching equivalent to three full-time years
- Professional case management includes activities such as: assessment of risk factors; designing, monitoring, and/or facilitating treatment plans; determining and making referrals to appropriate (chemical dependency, substance abuse, family counseling, job training assistance, etc.); maintaining official records and tracking client progress/compliance; and assisting individuals who are unable to independently access support systems or community resources such as those providing food, clothing, or monetary assistance and shelter.
** A Master’s degree in sociology, social work, psychology, criminology, or closely related field will substitute for one year of the required professional case management experience.
In addition to the above, this position requires demonstrated competency in the following areas (competency may be gained through education, experience, or a combination thereof):
- Facilitator Skills - Demonstrates empathy, facilitation/teaching techniques, understanding of group processes and interpersonal interactions, and the ability to control a group of individual participants through non-coercive means.
- Community Relationships - Participates in the formation and maintenance of successful relationships with criminal justice partners and community resources.
- Observation - Observes and strategizes personal response based on environmental conditions and human behavior.
- Stress Tolerance - Remains calm and rational while handling difficult situations to include, but not limited to: volatile, threatening, or other crisis/emergency situations.
- Professional Standards - Knows and applies community corrections related law, policy, procedure, and practice. Adheres to productivity standards and timelines established by law and policy. Identifies own training needs and proactively seeks training opportunities.
- Adaptability - Incorporates new information into an existing framework of understanding. Accepts change and supports the Agency through changes in law, policy, and procedure.
- Computer Skills – Must have working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
- Possess and maintain a vehicle operator’s license valid in the state of Washington
- Maintain confidentiality of information obtained through job performance as protected by agency policy or state or federal law.
What will make your application stand out (preferred qualifications):
- Familiarity with DOC Offender Management Network Information (OMNI) or similar databases
- Experience delivering programs or interventions in group settings to incarcerated or supervised individuals
This position may be filled at the Corrections Specialist 3 level with a six-month in-training plan.
Corrections Specialist 3 Salary Range: $76,884 - $103,344 Annually
The entire in-training appointment is designated as the trial service period. The trial service period and in-training program will run concurrently. Upon successful completion of the training requirements, the employee will advance to the Corrections Specialist 4 level and will continue with a six-month trial service period. At the successful completion of the trial service period, the employee shall gain permanent status at the Corrections Specialist 4 level. Permanent status will not be gained at the Corrections Specialist 3 level.
Corrections Specialist 3 Required Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s degree from a college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the US Department of Education.
AND
- Three years as a Community Corrections Officer within the Washington State Department of Corrections
OR
- Three years of professional case management* experience in adult or juvenile corrections or closely related field which includes at least three of the following:
- Making field visits
- Writing reports
- Assessing cases and making recommendations
- Referring people to appropriate resources
- Presenting cases in court or hearings
OR
- An Associate’s degree from a college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the US Department of Education.
AND
- Five years as a Community Corrections Officer within the Washington State Department of Corrections
OR
- Five years of professional case management* experience in adult or juvenile corrections or closely related field which includes at least three of the following:
- Making field visits
- Writing reports
- Assessing cases and making recommendations
- Referring people to appropriate resources
- Presenting cases in court or hearings
OR
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalency
AND
- Seven (7) years of professional case management* experience in adult or juvenile corrections or closely related field which includes at least three of the following:
- Making field visits
- Writing reports
- Assessing cases and making recommendations
- Referring people to appropriate resources
- Presenting cases in court or hearings
Note: A Master’s degree in sociology, social work, psychology, criminology, or closely related field will substitute for one year of the required professional case management experience.
- Professional case management includes activities such as: assessment of risk factors; designing, monitoring, and/or facilitating treatment plans; determining and making referrals to resources as appropriate (chemical dependency, substance abuse, family counseling, job training assistance, etc.); maintaining official records and tracking client progress/compliance; and assisting individuals who are unable to independently access support systems or community resources such as those providing food, clothing, or monetary assistance and shelter.
The following in-training plan must be completed successfully within 6 months in order to progress to a trial service Corrections Specialist 4:
- Attend and successfully complete training for identified CBI program within 30 days of hire or at the next scheduled training. Facilitate an identified CBI program with individual groups for a minimum of 4 months. This will typically include facilitating 4 or more groups per week with 2 or more groups scheduled in the evenings to meet individual availability
- Attend and fully participate in all scheduled Quality Assurance feedback sessions, coaching, and booster trainings
- Demonstrate a willingness to receive and internalize feedback, learn from feedback, and exhibit growth in facilitator skills
- Successfully complete all QA written improvement plans
- Develop proficient skills in group facilitation as assessed by the Quality Assurance Unit
Supplemental Information
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.
Our Core Values:
- 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.
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:
- DOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements for the federal employment eligibility verification form I-9. 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. https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
- DOC does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.
- This recruitment may be utilized to fill more than one position.
- 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.
- Foreign equivalent degrees awarded outside the United States must have a credential evaluation report attached to your application. You may request the required evaluation/documentation from www.wes.org and www.aice-eval.org. Until this documentation is provided, you will not be selected to move forward in the hiring process.
Telework Details
This position may be allocated for telework. If authorized for the role, 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. Some offices will have a “drop in” area available, however, a dedicated workspace within a DOC facility will not be provided.
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 vacation 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!
- Teamsters 117 represented positions receive 3 days of bereavement leave.
PERS: State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email mackenzie.conley@doc1.wa.gov or call us at 509-630-9160. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
Salary : $76,844 - $114,072