Corrections Specialist 4 - Lead Reentry Specialist

Description

This position is located within the Reentry Division and serves as a lead to the Corrections Specialist 3 Reentry Navigators. This position provides lead responsibilities of assigned corrections specialist 3 staff with facility wide or regional wide responsibilities in the absence of the Reentry Systems Managers. This position exercises decision making authority and provides leadership functions such as assisting others with complex problem resolution, approving purchase card expenditures, recommending courses of action, and training of Reentry Navigators.

The Reentry Division provides people with focused opportunities for success.

Guiding Principles:

• Practice active listening.
• Be open to learning.
• Be authentic.
• Be curious.
• Make informed decisions.
• Embrace change.
• Build relationships.
• Mentor each other.
• Seek collaboration outside our own areas to gain perspective.
• Model behaviors we wish to see.
• Assume positive intent.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Case assignments for the Reentry Navigator Unit, reentry and workload processes, Shared Inbox, & Reentry Navigator Unit data quality assurance:

• Managing Reentry Navigator Shared Inbox for referrals, resentencing notifications, and requests for information.

• Targeted outreach for incarcerated individuals who qualify for reentry services.

• Develop and maintain process of identification and assignment of individuals based on transfer orders and referrals to Reentry Navigator unit team members through caseload management in Share Point.

• Interact with community, staff, family and criminal justice partners regarding the transition of I/I from prison to community who are assigned a Reentry Navigator.

• Regular Share Point quality assurance data pulls and reviews of data for weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually, and as needed reports.

• Maintain and provide oversight of Share Point caseload management and team documents. Provide effective communication in the evaluation of reentry/workload processes.

• Provide technical guidance on reentry and workload processes and maintain updated process flow documents, contact lists, and forms.

• Work with supervisor to develop procedures for statewide application of Reentry Navigation processes and maintain process guide(s).

• Facilitate meetings and committees related to reentry processes.

• Communicate and train staff regarding expectations and processes for reentry navigation. Share knowledge of reentry best practices.

• Develop communication with key correctional staff and community-based service providers to ensure continuity of care between prison and community-based programs and services.

• Manage and maintain up to date community-based resource information based on information provided by stakeholders.

• Purchase card training and back up to monthly reconciliation

Cover and serve as backup to specialize navigation area:

• Provide support and/or lead special reentry projects as assigned. Lead special projects to advance the goals of the Reentry Division.

• Provide technical support on navigating the resource library.

• Ensure resource library is up to date. Serve as a liaison for veteran services.

• Work with key stakeholders to identify gaps in veteran services.

• Work with stakeholders in developing a statewide reentry program for incarcerated veterans starting at reception in collaboration with community partners and federal partners

• Provide technical guidance on the development and implementation of statewide policies, contracts and data systems related to the veteran population.

• Identify opportunities to improve data sharing between agencies who serve the veteran population.

• Assist with coordination of Reentry Veterans Facility Point of Contact Meetings and provide support to facility POC’s.

• Serve as a liaison for Resentencing.

• Work with key stakeholder to identify gaps in resentencing services.

• Work with stakeholders in developing a statewide reentry program for individuals impacted by resentencing.

• Provide technical guidance on the development and implementation of statewide policies, contracts, and data systems related to resentencing population.

• Assist Resentencing Manager in identifying appropriate individuals for navigations services. Assist in the application and managing of grants for the Reentry Division.

Assist Reentry Systems Managers as needed and requested:

• Representing managers at meetings and other events as needed.

• Ordering new staff equipment and working with LID coordinator.

• Ensuring training material is up to date.

Other Duties as Assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma/GED and 5 years reentry related experience, two years of experience with purchase card use and documentation and two years of experience using SharePoint.

Or

• AA degree and 4 years reentry related experience, two years of experience with purchase card use and documentation and two years of experience using SharePoint.

Or

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years reentry related experience, two years of experience with purchase card use and documentation and two years of experience using SharePoint.

Or

• Master’s degree and 2 years reentry related experience, two years of experience with purchase card use and documentation and two years of experience using SharePoint.

• Reentry related experience is defined as working with incarcerated individuals transitioning into community settings or working with disadvantaged/at-risk populations. This includes three years of experience working with a range of systems and community-based resources available to support the diverse spectrum of potential reentry needs. As well as three years of experience in working in collaborative relationships with entities external to the Agency, such as county, city, and regional jails, residential/outpatient treatment facilities, housing organizations, health and human services providers, and/or work release (reentry center) facilities. Experience building resource manuals/guidelines and related tools for reentry program participant use.
  
  NOTE: Experience may be gained concurrently.
  
  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. Expertly intervenes in response to threats.

• 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with program participants, staff at all levels within the Agency and with a broad range of system- and community-based external stakeholder organizations.

• Ability to work both independently and in close collaboration with system- and community-based stakeholders.

• Knowledge of prison-, jail- and community corrections-based standards and rules with the ability to analyze information to identify problems and develop subsequent action and strategic plans.

• Possession of good interpersonal skills, ability to work without direct supervision, demonstration of high degree of motivation.

• Ability to effectively advocate for program participant access to appropriate system- and community-based resources that support successful and sustainable reentry.

• Experience with Microsoft office products such as Share Point, Excel, Access, Visio, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 
  Expertise in the Washington State criminal justice system (i.e. law enforcement, prosecution, courts, correctional facilities, and community correction supervision) from the point of arrest to the point of release from jurisdictional custody.

• Working knowledge of the key decision points for the transition of person released from prison or jail to the community transition and intent and desired outcomes.

• Lived experience as a participant in the criminal justice system.

Supplemental Information

• 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.

• 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.

• 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!
  
• This position is eligible for the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).
  • 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' website.

• Visit our benefits page to see more!