Correctional Hearings Officer 4

Salary: $6,432.00 - $8,656.00 Monthly
Location : Multiple Locations - Western Washington, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 2023-16174
Department: Dept. of Corrections
Division: ODS - Other
Opening Date: 12/21/2023
Closing Date: 1/7/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
Correctional Hearings Officer 4 - Hearings Supervisor
Office of the Deputy Secretary - Hearings Unit
DOC Headquarters - Tumwater, WA
Tacoma CJC - Tacoma, WA
This recruitment is being extended to broaden the candidate pool.
These positions will be required to work at various facilities and may be eligible for part-time telework.
The Washington State Department of Corrections is seeking highly motivated and qualified individuals to fill two permanent Correctional Hearings Officer 4 (CHO4) positions within the Office of the Deputy Secretary Hearings Unit located in Tumwater, WA and Tacoma, WA.
The Hearings Supervisor is responsible for supervising the Hearings Officer 3 classification and ensuring that the Hearings Officer 3 conducts hearings in compliance with all applicable laws and policies. The Hearings Supervisor is a leader and a subject matter expert. This position is responsible for building and managing a team of Hearings Officers who face a complex and diverse range of quasi-judicial proceedings. This position is critical to assuring quality of the hearings process and, therefore, assuring due process is afforded to individuals facing loss of liberty. The Hearings Supervisor assures quality by providing directions and clarifications regarding hearings-related laws, rules, policies, and procedures, and by working with staff to improve performance when quality standards are not met.
Our mission at the Department of Corrections (DOC) is to 'improve public safety by positively changing lives'. With a vast number of innovative sustainability programs, and evidence-based practices used to reduce recidivism, Washington State is highly regarded as a strong leader in the field of Corrections. For additional information about the agency, please visit doc.wa.gov.
To begin the online Application Process:
Click the green 'Apply' button located at the top right corner of this the job posting.
Sign in or create an account.
The following must be attached to your completed application:

1. A cover letter outlining your qualifications.
2. A detailed chronological resumé.
3. And at least three professional references with a phone number and an email address for each.

• 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.

Click "Accept & Submit" to submit your application. Incomplete application packages may be disqualified from the process.
Duties
As a Correctional Hearings Officer 4 - Hearings Supervisor, some of your duties include:
Supervise and manage Hearing Officer 3 workforce and assess their workload.

• Supervise the Hearings Officer 3 workforce
• Assign the Hearings Officer 3 workload
• Regularly assess individual employees and team performance to ensure it meets accepted standards for quality
• Give clear direction and clarification to staff regarding hearings
• Assist in the professional growth of each Hearings Officer
• Onboarding of new staff
• Promote team development

Facility/docket scheduling/rescheduling and coordination. Contact for local jails - monitoring of contractual or transportation impacts, emergent health or facility needs, troubleshooting etc. Communicate with internal and external facilities and other DOC units and division. Address complaints and concerns regarding hearings.

• Develop and manage docket modules for facilities where hearings are conducted
• Manage ongoing docket and facility issues such as reschedules, closures etc.
• Work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders
• Communicate with staff at DOC, county, city, tribal and federal facilities on a regular basis regarding logistical issues such as scheduling, individual transfers, hearing facilities and processes, and staff safety
• Review and respond to complaints and concerns regarding hearings
• Audit all aspects and multidivisional performance for all aspects of the hearing
• Verify decisions were reasonable and in compliance with all applicable laws and state policy

Regional Hearing Appeal Panel lead and response to correspondence

• Determine whether to submit appeals to the panel, with consideration of factors such as timeliness or the appeal and appealability of the issues
• Serve as a part of a three-person appeal panel
• Verify due process and legal requirements were met in all aspects of the hearing.
• Verify sanction was reasonable and in compliance with all applicable laws and state policy
• Prepare written appeal panel decision when assigned
• Serve as appeal panel lead
• Schedule panel conferences
• Prepare and provide written correspondence to individual appellants
• Respond to Secretary Correspondences as assigned

Leadership meetings
Serve as backup statewide Hearings Duty Officer and Probable Cause Determinant
Project lead and other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Required:

• A Bachelor Degree from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for High Education Accreditation (CHEA)
• Two (2) years' experience as a Hearing Officer or the equivalent in a governmental agency; OR two (2) years as a member of an administrative tribunal empowered to issue finding of fact or conclusion of law; OR two (2) years of relevant legal related experience in private or public employment.
• Skilled communicator, to include written, verbal, and listening skills.
• Must have the ability to coach, give instructions and constructive criticism
• Must have a notary or the ability to become a notary in the State of Washington within 90 days of appointment date

Desired:

• Master's or Juris Doctorate Degree
• Experience as a hearing's examiner, mediator, arbitrator, court commissioner or judge
• Specialized experience addressing complex legal issues
• Working knowledge of offender management and supervision
• One year supervisory or lead experience - may be gained concurrently with other required experience

Special Requirements:

• Must have a valid driver's license
• Must become a Notary Public within 90 days and maintain current notary license

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:

• 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.

Telework Details
This position may be allocated for part-time telework. Work may be performed from your home or another offsite location within the state of Washington using a reliable internet or cellular hotspot service at that time. Employees are expected to perform assigned duties in a safe manner, to take proper care all state-issued equipment, and maintain confidentiality of all information in possession while working offsite. Employees will be required to commute to a Department of Corrections facility or field office as business requires, to potentially include components of the onboarding process.
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!

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email or call us at (509) 392-3111. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
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.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) th...