Correctional Sergeant – WSP

Description

The Department of Corrections (DOC) is seeking highly motivated and qualified individuals for the Corrections and Custody Officer 3 (Correctional Sergeant) positions at the Washington State Penitentiary.  

The Washington State Penitentiary is staffed 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.
 
The Department of Corrections (DOC), as a partner in the criminal justice system, enhances public safety, administers criminal sanctions and programs in accordance with the law and provides leadership for the future of corrections in Washington State.

The Washington State Penitentiary is comprised of 4 Close Custody Units, 3 Special Housing Units, 2 Intensive Management Units, 2 Medium Units, 2 Minimum Housing Units and a Hospital. In all, WSP houses approximately 2,200 incarcerated individuals and approximately 1,100 staff.

DOC is an organization that respects individuals for their unique qualities and strives to create a safe environment for individual uniqueness.

A completed application packet will include:

• A detailed resume
• A cover letter regarding your interest for this position with our agency
• Three (3) professional references

**Note:  This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies that may occur.**

Duties

The Corrections and Custody Officer 3 (Correctional Sergeant) supervises and assists correctional officers as they perform custody work to ensure the safety and security of an adult correctional facility, unit, incarcerated individuals, staff, and the public. The incumbent will assign posts and duties to correctional officers, give instruction and training, maintain discipline, and make inspections to maintain proper safety and security. Key duties of the Correctional Sergeant include:

• Performing custody work including controlling, directing, and monitoring the activities and movement of adult incarcerated individuals.
• Supervising and assisting in the transport of incarcerated individuals, providing custody to incarcerated individuals on authorized leave for medical appointments, court orders, or other transport.
• Monitoring and assisting Field Training Officers (FTOs), CO2s, and CO1s participating in the Correctional Officer Field training program (COFTP).
• Recording and evaluating officer performance.
• Developing, providing, and evaluating curriculum and the delivery of continuous training.
• Taking emergency action and intervening in/controlling acts of negative behavior and violence by incarcerated individuals by following prescribed procedures and guidelines, using verbal de-escalation, and physical and lethal uses of force.
• Completing written reports, keeping logs and other records.
• Ensuring incarcerated individual, staff, and public safety by restricting mail, inspecting packages for contraband, admitting authorized visitors, and enforcing visitor regulations.

Qualifications

Required:
   

• High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent
• Three (3) or more years of experience as a Correctional Officer in adult corrections.

 

OR  

• Two (2) years of experience as a correctional officer in adult corrections.

 

AND

• Successful completion of thirty (30) semester or forty-five (45) quarter hours of accredited college-level course work 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.  (Please provide a copy of your college transcripts reflecting this information.)

• Must have a valid driver's license.

 

In addition to at least one of the above, this position requires:
Observations - Observes and strategizes personal action based on environment conditions and human behavior.
Technology - Learns and utilizes computer-based applications in the performance of the job duties.
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 relevant 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.
  
Demonstrated ability to:
  o    Write clearly, factually, and concisely.
  o    Recall detailed instruction.
  o    Maintain attention and concentration for extended periods of time.
  o    Use oral and written communication effectively in routine and emergency situations.
    
Desired:
 

• The most competitive candidates will have experience supervising employees in a correctional environment.

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:

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:

• 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.
• 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.

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!

PSERS: Many DOC jobs are covered by the Public Safety Employees' Retirement System (PSERS). If someone moves from a Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) eligible position to a PSERS eligible position, they actually retire under two different systems/plans.  For more information, please contact the Department of Retirement System at: 1-800-547-6657. 

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email Alicia Phillips at aphillips@doc1.wa.gov or call us at (509) 526-6313. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.