Job Description

Posting number: 2026-06911

Department: Dept. of Corrections

Division: Prisons - WSP

Job classification: CLASSIFICATION COUNSELOR 2 - TEAMSTERS

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Corrections, Counseling

Classification Counselor 2 (CC2)

Full-Time | Permanent
Location: Washington State Penitentiary (WSP)
Walla Walla, Washington

The Department of Corrections is seeking highly motivated and qualified individuals to fill a Full-Time, Permanent Classification Counselor 2 position at Washington State Penitentiary (WSP).

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 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 Service Building. In all, WSP houses approximately 2,000 Incarcerated Individuals and employs 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 in this position with our agency
• Three professional references
• A copy of college transcripts if applicable

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

Examples of duties

Under the supervision of the Classification Counselor 3, the Classification Counselor 2 (CC2) is responsible for providing professional classification guidance with the goal of placing Incarcerated Individuals in the least restrictive custody designation while meeting the need to provide for the safety of the public, staff, visitors, and incarcerated individuals. The CC2 will monitor a caseload, administer risk assessment tools, complete release plans, complete facility plans, impose DOC conditions, enforce court orders, provide monthly reports, and maintain regular communication with Incarcerated Individual caseload.

Key duties of the Classification Counselor 2 include:

• Investigating all information available for each Incarcerated Individual arriving to determine his documentation and programming needs.
• Administering Risk Assessment Tools.
• Participating in Risk Management teams.
• Completing Incarcerated Individual Release Plans, verifying transition plans and approving low risk release plans.
• Counseling and informing Incarcerated Individuals regarding community resources and problems they might encounter in their transition to work release, parole, or release.
• Working with unit staff as well as with other sections of the facility to resolve Incarcerated Individual problems.
• Enforcing court ordered conditions and imposing DOC conditions.
• Collecting information to complete facility plans, criminal history and risk management tools to determine needs.
• Maintaining communication with Incarcerated Individuals to assist with attorney calls, child custody/support hearings with DSHS and courts, and family contact through crisis/emergency situations.
• Completing paperwork for special visits, death bed visits, funeral outings, job referrals, End of Sentence Review packets, EFV's, marriages, psych evaluation requests, incarcerated individual to incarcerated individual correspondence, and out of state and international transfers.
• Evaluating Incarcerated Individuals for early release. Testifying before courts, boards and/or classification or disciplinary hearings.
• Regularly reviewing and updating Incarcerated Individual plans and programming needs.
• Working with internal and external entities to facilitate Incarcerated Individuals re-entry into the community.
• Preparing Mutual Agreement Plans and coordinate with other facilities for acceptance.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Five years of experience in adult corrections*, juvenile corrections, rehabilitation, or social casework.

OR

• Satisfactory completion of two years of college level credit classes** (60 semester or 90 quarter credits) and three years of experience in adult corrections*, juvenile corrections, rehabilitation, or social casework.

OR

• One year as a Classification Counselor 1 in Washington State service to include, at a minimum satisfactory completion of two years of college level credit classes** (60 semester or 90 quarter credits).

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology, social work, criminology, or closely related field from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or foreign equivalent, and one year of social service or corrections experience*. A master's degree in sociology, psychology, social work, criminology, or closely related field will substitute for the year of required experience.

*Note: Corrections experience is defined as the focus of the work is dealing directly with incarcerated individuals a majority of the time.
**Note: The Washington State Department of Corrections defines college level credits as 100 level and above classes.

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.

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 attach separately: resume, cover letter, minimum of three professional references, and if applicable, a copy of college transcripts. 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.
• This position may be represented by a Union Shop.
• 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!

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 Angela Kelly at angela.kelly@doc1.wa.gov or call us at (509) 524-7619. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.