Job Description

Posting number: HS-CCD-2026-08199

Department: Dept. of Corrections

Division: HS - HQ

Job classification: CORRECTIONS SPECIALIST 4

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Health Services, Mental Health, Counseling, Medical/Dental

Summary

Correction Specialist 4

Tacoma Community Justice Center - Tacoma, WA

Full Time/Perm/WFSE

Salary Range: $7,066 - $9,506 Monthly

The mission of the Department of Corrections is to improve public safety by positively changing lives.

Join a dedicated team committed to reducing recidivism, promoting successful community reintegration, and enhancing public safety through evidence-based treatment and assessment.

This permanent position provides therapeutic services within the Sex Offense Treatment and Assessment Programs. As a Corrections Specialist 4, you will play a critical role in supporting individuals as they transition from incarceration back into the community. Through evidence-based assessment and the provision of sex offense specific treatment, you will help reduce the risk of reoffending while encouraging positive behavioral change and long-term success.

In this role, you will:

1. Conduct sex offense-specific risk assessments and guide individualized treatment planning and treatment delivery.
2. Facilitate evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy in both individual and group settings.
3. Provide compassionate, professional clinical services to clients on your assigned caseload while promoting accountability and lasting behavioral change.
4. Prepare timely and accurate clinical documentation, reports, and other required program materials.
5. Collaborate with internal staff and criminal justice partners to coordinate services, monitor client progress, and support community safety.

To be considered for this position, please attach the following to your online application:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• 3 Professional References

Application assessment will be ongoing, and the hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible.

"This recruitment could be used to fill multiple permanent or non-permanent positions."

Examples of duties

As a Correction Specialist 4, some of your duties will include:

Assess client treatment needs and risk in order to provide evidence-based sex offense treatment to adult men and women in both group and individual settings. Facilitate behavioral change in clients, present client information to committees related to client planning, risk management issues and transition. Complete documentation to include agency approved risk assessment, 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. Meet with client support persons and outside stakeholders to educate and answer questions.

• Conduct group and individual therapy following the approved program guidelines.
• Complete all required documentation in a timely and complete manner.
• Complete all required risk assessments (currently Stable-2007 and Acute-2007).
• Make contact with and response promptly in communications with client support persons and stakeholders.

Participate in required team meets, unit meetings, trainings, and clinical and administrative supervision. Collaborate with Community Corrections Officers and Supervisors to address risk and assist in developing protective factors for clients. Work with Mental Health providers, community members, and external stakeholders regarding sex offense specific risk and transition.

• Attend and participate in meetings as required.
• Coordinate and facilitate meetings with internal and external stakeholders as necessary.
• Travel to Quarterly Community SOTAP team meetings.
• Share and educate stakeholders regarding releasing clients and their specific criminogenic needs and dynamic risk obtaining appropriate Release of Information documentation as necessary.

Work directly with guardian and victim advocates concerning the management of those with sexually related offenses. Serve as an active member in the client transition process by identifying risk and developing supervision strategies. Provide deposition and testimony as legally required. Provide education, training, and workshops to the DOC and external agencies as necessary.

• Meet and collaborate with prison clinical and custody staff and community supervising staff regarding client transition, management, and release.
• Provide testimony when requested via subpoena.
• Provide educational opportunities for the DOC and external sources regarding sex offense specific issues related to treatment, assessment, and transition.

Facilitate Community Transition groups.

• Coordinate with prison staff for the delivery of Community Transition group for clients prior to discharge.
• Coordinate with external stakeholders to schedule participation in CT group meetings as needed.
• Complete appropriate documentation on client participation in CT group in preparation for release.

Perform other duties as assigned by the Community Program Clinical Manager.

• As assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Two year of experience providing structured individual and/or group psychotherapy guided by a treatment plan to juvenile or adult populations which includes six (6) months of work experience providing structured therapy in a group setting.

OR

Three years of mental/behavioral health experience with a minimum of six months of providing psychotherapy in a group setting guided by a treatment plan.

OR

One (1) year of experience conducting structured group therapy in a sex offense specific program utilizing cognitive behavioral interventions.

AND

Obtain/maintain Washington State Agency Affiliated Counselor credential per RCW 18.19.030 within 30 days of hire.

Experience may be paid or unpaid.

Additional clarification: work experience in mental health and/or therapy to “groups” is identified as, “group experience where responsibilities have included mental health treatment and/or therapy planning, mental health program implementation and/or direct delivery of mental health services.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

A master’s degree or bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, or counseling.

Supplemental information

Mission: The mission of DOC is to improve public safety by positively changing lives.

Our Vision: Working together for safer communities.

Our Commitment: To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.

Our Core Values:

1. Cultivate an environment of integrity and trust: Corrections values partnership and trust. We foster openness and support courageous conversations. We are committed to doing what we say we are going to do by being accountable and taking personal ownership in our actions.
2. Respectful and inclusive interactions: Corrections appreciates and values individuals by promoting an inclusive and diverse environment, which encourages safety. We respect, value, and listen to the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of our stakeholders and consider the impact on those we serve as well as each other.
3. People's safety: Corrections believes in creating an environment that values physical, mental, and emotional security and well-being. We honor those who advance safety for all.
4. Positivity in words and actions: At Corrections, we assume positive intentions and believe there is a shared desire for the best outcome. We consistently demonstrate positive behavior and always put forth our best effort.
5. Supporting people's success: Corrections is committed to our community – understanding individuals, instilling hope, embracing change, and providing opportunities.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• 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.
• 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.
• This position may be represented by a bargaining unit.
• Requires respirator medical evaluation questionnaire, fit testing, training, and use of respiratory protection as required by the WA Industrial Safety & Act standards. Refer to WAC 296-842 to learn more.
• Must be able to work in spaces, climb stairs, walk long distances, and frequently lift up to 30 pounds. Under rare circumstances this position may be required to lift or carry up to 50 pounds and push up to 100 pounds.
• 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.
• Candidates who are offered a job with the Department of Corrections must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
• Salary is based on experience and is determined at the time a final offer of employment is made. The salary range listed in the job posting includes Steps A-M. Step M is a longevity step and is typically gained six years after being assigned to Step L in your permanent salary range.

We are committed to hiring individuals who possess core diversity competencies:

Foster a positive attitude and openness toward the ever changing social and cultural makeup of the workplace.

• Work effectively with people of different perspectives, abilities, disabilities, races, religions, ages, lifestyle preferences and social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Respectfully acknowledge people's differences and recognize these differences as important and valuable.
• Promote inclusiveness.
• Be culturally sensitive and appropriate.
• Respect and value diverse backgrounds and traditions.

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:

• 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!

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.

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.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email kathey.waggoner@doc1.wa.gov or call us at 509-907-7808. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.