Corrections Specialist 4 – Domestic Violence Treatment

Description

The mission of the Department of Corrections is to improve public safety by positively changing lives. The Reentry Division’s Domestic Violence Treatment Program (DVTP) is responsible for the delivery and implementation of evidence-based assessment and treatment practices and the operational support to facilitate the participation of individuals in treatment designed to decrease recidivism, which increases the safety of staff, clients, and the public. The incumbent in this position is responsible for providing competent evidence-based clinical services to those clients assigned to their caseload who are currently incarcerated or have recently released from incarceration. The provision of domestic/intimate partner violence specific assessment and treatment has been demonstrated to reduce clients’ risk of re-offense upon release to the community.

This Corrections Specialist 4 is considered an expert level position with statewide responsibilities within the Domestic Violence Treatment Program. This position will be considered as an expert resource in Domestic Violence assessment and treatment for the Reentry Division and other correctional divisions statewide. The incumbent will conduct risk assessments to determine treatment targets, facilitate group and individual therapy to address treatment needs, prepare all program required documentation, and provide expert level guidance and contributions to policy development, implementation, and improvements. In addition, the incumbent will work collaboratively with our internal and external criminal justice partners to ensure clients are held accountable and remain safe in the community.

A completed application packet will include:

• A cover letter regarding your interest in this position with our agency
• A detailed resume
• Three professional references
• Transcripts, if applicable

Duties

Corrections Specialist 4, duties include:

Provide group and individual evidence-based domestic violence treatment to adult men and women in both field and Reentry Center settings. Facilitate behavioral change in clients. Complete all required documentation in a timely manner.

• Conduct group and individual therapy following the approved curriculum and program guidelines. Complete documentation to include initial treatment plans, group and individual progress notes, and a comprehensive treatment summary for external distribution. Additionally, some clients may require treatment summary addendums and/or additional documentation.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, review, and improvements to DVT policies and statewide and local unit processes on an ongoing basis.
• Contribute to the development of internal statewide quality assurance and continuous quality improvement standards and processes and provide those services as part of the unit’s internal QA/CQI process.
• As an expert in the DVT field, provide insight and involvement in ongoing implementation and curriculum improvements as well as resolving complex, critical, and precedent setting issues using their field expertise and knowledge, experience, and understanding of the field’s most up to date and relevant research findings.

Assess client treatment needs and risk using DSHS-approved risk and behavioral assessments.

• Conduct individual assessment interviews.
• Review file material and collateral information.
• Compete risk and behavioral assessments to determine level of service.
• Document assessments and recommendations in both case files and the electronic file.

Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to address risk and assist in developing protective factors for clients.

• Regularly attend and participate in local domestic violence task force, intervention committee, or work group in service area.
• Work directly with guardian and victim advocates concerning the management of those with domestic violence related offenses.
• Present client information to committees related to client planning.
• Confer with case managers to assist in case planning and management.

Participate in required team meetings, unit meetings, and trainings. Meet with supervisor for clinical and administrative supervision.

• Participate in regular meetings with supervisor.
• Be available and participate in team, unit, division, and department meetings and trainings.
• Complete continuing education credits to maintain DSHS certification.
• Complete Annual In-service trainings as required.
• Complete continuing education credits to maintain DSHS certification.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Apply, obtain/maintain Washington State Agency Affiliated Counselor registration per RCW 18.19.030 within 30 days of hire.

**An agency affiliated counselor may only provide counseling services as part of his or her employment for a recognized agency. Applicants for an agency affiliated counselor credential who apply within 30 days of employment may provide services within the agency for up to 90 days while the Department of Health processes your application.

AND

A Bachelor’s Degree in a behavioral science, such as Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or closely related field from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or foreign equivalent.

**NOTE:

(a) In accordance with WAC 388-60B-0210, DSHS may grant an exception or waiver from education compliance with this requirement if the exception would not violate an existing local, state, federal, or tribal law;

(b) In order to qualify for an exception, the employee must possess year-for-year professional level experience equivalent to a related bachelor's degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or similar social service field and the department determines this equivalency at the discretion of the DSHS program manager responsible for monitoring domestic violence intervention treatment programs

AND

Two (2) years of demonstrated experience providing individual or group domestic violence intervention treatment, mental health treatment, chemical dependency treatment, or sex offense treatment. Demonstrated experience must include six (6) months of work experience providing treatment and/or therapy specifically to groups.

NOTE: A Master's degree in a behavioral science, such as Psychology, Social Work, Counseling Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, or closely related field from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or foreign equivalent, may be substituted for one (1) year of demonstrated experience providing individual or group domestic violence intervention treatment, mental health treatment, chemical dependency treatment, or sex offense treatment.

Additional clarification: Work experience in treatment and/or therapy to "groups" is defined as, "group experience where responsibilities have included treatment and/or therapy planning, treatment program implementation and/or direct delivery of client treatment services. This work experience may also be obtained during master's degree program internships."

NOTE: Licensing as a Psychologist, Social Worker or Mental Health Counselor may be substituted for the Affiliated Counselor registration. Each employee is expected to maintain and adhere to the continuing education requirements for the applicable professional credential. Each employee must adhere to legislation and/or law changes that may affect current licensure and/or registration requirements.

• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.

• Complete a felony disclosure form prior to employment and submit to a criminal background check.

• Successfully complete, within mandated timeframes, employee orientation and all other mandatory annual, in-service and other required training.

• Provide physical residential address and home telephone number to the Department of Corrections.

• Become familiar and comply with all Department policies and procedures and Collective Bargaining Agreements as applicable.

• Submit to drug testing in accordance with Collective Bargaining Agreement and agency policy.

• Must maintain a WA state Driver’s License.

• (b) Free of criminal convictions involving domestic violence or moral turpitude;

  • (i) Direct service staff who have convictions involving crimes of domestic violence or moral turpitude may submit a written explanation of their convictions and a request for an exception to this requirement;

• Must obtain and maintain WA state Agency Affiliated Counselor credential per WAC 18.19.030

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.

For more information about our agency, visit our Mission & Vision.
 

The WA State Department of Corrections (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 used to fill more than one position, and this recruitment may be used to fill additional positions up to sixty days after all listed positions have been filled.
• References: A minimum of three professional references with a valid email and phone number for each is required. Although current and recent supervisors are preferred, 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, include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates. 
• Salary is based on skills and abilities that apply to the primary functions of the role and/or years of experience and is decided at the time a final offer of employment is made. The salary range listed in the job posting includes steps A-M, or A-U if a registered nurse (RN). Within your permanent salary range, step M (or step U if an RN) is a longevity step, it is typically gained six years after being assigned to step L (or step T if an RN).
• Work with or near incarcerated or supervised individuals: This position may work directly with or near incarcerated or supervised individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Take this into account before applying. 
• Background and criminal record history checks will be conducted prior to employment. Information gathered may not preclude employment, but it will be considered in determining your suitability for the position.
• Pre-employment drug test: A drug test may be administered as part of the pre-employment process. Applicants who test positive for a controlled substance may 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 you 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 sixty days of the date of hire. If the test result is positive, further information, testing, and treatment will be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.
• 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 you could expect in this position. 

• 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 Form I-9’s list of acceptable documents. Note: DOC does not use E-Verify. We are not able to partake in STEM Optional Practice Training (OPT). 

What We Offer
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 a generous retirement plan and comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, additional perks might include:

• Fourteen to twenty-five paid vacation days per year (depending on years of service and in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement [CBA] if a represented position)
• Eight hours of paid sick leave per month
• Eleven paid holidays per year (includes one personal holiday)
• One personal leave day per year (in accordance with the CBA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
• Deferred Compensation Program (DCP)
• And more! Visit our benefits page for more information. 

Retirement Options - 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 within PERS. For additional information, refer to the Department of Retirement Systems or call 800-547-6657.