Corrections Specialist Assistant

Corrections Specialist Assistant – Resolutions

Washington State Penitentiary (WSP)

The Department of Corrections is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual for a Corrections Specialist Assistant - Grievance Resolution at Washington State Penitentiary (WSP)

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

The Washington State Penitentiary is staffed 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether the work is inside a prison, in community corrections, or in an administrative office, the Washington State Department of Corrections professional staff experience a high degree of personal satisfaction knowing they are creating environments in which all Incarcerated Individuals can learn to make choices that contribute to a safer society.

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 Department consists of the Office of the Secretary, Prisons Division, Community Corrections Division, Administrative Services Division, Health Services Division, Communications Department and Risk Management Department.

The Washington State Penitentiary (WSP) is comprised of 4 Close Custody Units, 3 Special Housing Units, 2 Intensive Management Units, 2 Medium Units, 2 Minimum Housing Units and a Health Services Building. In all, WSP houses approximately 2,000 Incarcerated Individuals and employs approximately 1,000 staff.

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

DUTIES:

The Corrections Specialist Assistant - Grievance Resolution tasks include the following:

• Facilitate, direct, and implement all aspects of the facility's Grievance Resolution Program.
• Provide confidential administrative assistance to Grievance Resolution Coordinators.
• Provide the incarcerated individuals with relevant documentation, information, and access to the Grievance Resolution Program.
• Collect all complaints, in accordance with policy, from the facility grievance boxes.
• Scan appropriate grievance documentation into OnBase in a timely manner and using the appropriate applications.
• Confirm all grievance documentation submitted is accurate and filed for appropriate processing.
• Manage timelines at each level of review.
• Administer notification of time extensions in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Enter grievance information into OMNI with correct coding.
• Secure all grievance documentation, to include maintaining appropriate and accurate filing of hard copies, including Rewrite Complaints.
• Follow guidelines listed in the Program Manual, to include appropriate archiving and disposition of grievance documents and maintaining confidentiality of the program.
• Coordinate duties with the facility's Grievance Resolution Program Specialists.
• Exercise independent decision-making authority and discretion to decide which work methods to use, tasks to perform, and procedures to follow to meet work objectives.
• Plan and organize work and assist in determining priorities and deadlines that may deviate from standard work methods, guidelines or procedures in order to meet work objectives.
• Explain and interpret complex rules, policies, and operating procedures.
• Review documents for compliance. Ensure timely interviews are conducted.
• Ensure that incarcerated individuals are interviewed at least once before a grievance is submitted to level Ill.
• Track all assigned investigations ensuring administrative responses are timely.
• Review for thorough investigations and refer to Grievance Resolution Program Coordinator to redirect the investigation back to the investigator if incomplete.
• Review investigative packets to include all pertinent information and attach available evidence.
• Return incomplete investigations and issue new timelines for completion when necessary.
• Transcribe written incarcerated individual complaints at all levels to the appropriate form(s).
• Other duties as assigned.
• Provide and prepare documentation for Public Disclosure Requests.
• Establish, manage, and maintain electronic correspondence with staff and incarcerated individuals.
• Search databases for relevant documents pertaining to Public Disclosure Requests within the specified time frames.
• Conduct research, training and analysis.
• Analyze grievance data, reviewing trends within the facility in a timely manner.
• Ensure facility staff and incarcerated individuals are knowledgeable in the grievance programs by providing orientation/training.
• Assist with training of investigative staff, as needed.
• Attend administrative meetings.
• As a position lead, provide leadership and guidance to support staff.
• Regularly assign, instruct, and check the work of clerical support staff assigned to the grievance area.
• Provide input and feedback to clerical support supervisor regarding evaluation and performance.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Two years of experience in a correctional field office or institution, two years which must be at the senior clerical level or higher.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree

OR

• Four years of experience in a correctional field office or institution, two years which must be at the senior clerical level or higher.

Note: Qualifying work experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

To be considered for this position, please attach a professional resume and a letter of interest (preferably no more than two pages) describing how you meet the qualifications and why you are an ideal candidate for this position.

For additional information about the agency, please visit

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.

Answers to supplemental questions must be verifiable with provided work history.

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.

Telework Details

This is an onsite position and not allocated for telework.

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

• The 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 on the first day of employment.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or