Planning and Development Administrator

This recruitment will remain open until filled. First review of applications will take place on December 12, 2023, and then weekly after. Although we will check for new submissions often, it will be to your advantage to apply as soon as possible.

The Department of Corrections  is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual to take on the dynamic role of Planning and Development Manager for the Women's Prison Division at DOC Headquarters in Tumwater, WA.

For additional information about our agency, please visit doc.wa.gov.

This position reports to the Assistant Secretary of the Women's Prisons Division.  The Assistant Secretary reports to the Deputy Secretary, who reports to the Secretary for the Department of Corrections. This position is responsible for establishing and providing oversight of social work internship placements within the Women's Prison Division and is the senior staff responsible for leading development and implementation of the Division's strategic plan.   These strategies are focused on establishing a new model of prison operations that recognizes racial disproportionality in the justice system and promotes gender-responsive and trauma-informed care.  

A completed application packet will include:

• A detailed resume
• A cover letter regarding your interest for this position with our agency
• Three professional references

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead Division strategic Planning and fund development.  Track progress on short- and long-term goals, working with Division leadership on identifying, implementing, and measuring outcomes relating to strategies and objectives. Work with the Women's Prison Division team, Department stakeholders, and external partners to continue the development of the Strategic Plan, outlining goals and strategies for the division for the next 10 years.  
• Analyze policies and draft proposed revisions or create new policies that are consistent with gender-responsive and trauma-informed practices. Work with contractor to build policies specific to the needs of the populations in women's prisons.
• Lead Division efforts to expand successful external partnerships with other governmental agencies, institutions of higher education, and community-based organizations to expand collaboration, build or shore up programming efforts, and recruit volunteers to implement programming or serve in an advisory capacity.
• Participate in agency work with the Legislature, particularly on the development or analysis of proposed legislation as it relates to the Women’s Prison Division.
• Improve internal collaborations between Divisions (cross-division planning, development of joint goals and objectives through mutual agreement, increasing communications to provide and receive technical assistance, etc.) to benefit persons in the care of the WPD.
• Build a fund development plan and write necessary reports or support documents for grant requests to increase financial support for WPD programs.  Participate in creating resources to build out the leadership structure of the Division to include gender-responsive and trauma-informed specialists to improve services and protocols, which may include expanding the supervision responsibilities of the position.
• Develop collaboration with the University of WA – Tacoma or other institutions, write job descriptions, and provide supervisory oversight of a Master’s and Bachelor degree Social Work student internship program.

Required: 

• The position requires a Master of Social Work Degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education AND five (5) years of full-time professional social work experience. The successful candidate must be eligible to supervise Social Work Interns.
• Must have grant writing experience, excellent writing skills, competency in public speaking and proposal defense.  Person must have demonstrated experience in strategic planning, and advocacy skills.
• Must have competency in identifying barriers to gender equity for women, transgender, and nonbinary persons and a willingness to speak on their behalf. Must have the ability to engage subject matter experts, engage community organizations, and work with a multitude of stakeholders to advance this important work.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, ability to work effectively with prison staff and Headquarters Leadership and convey a positive and professional image to employees and external contacts. Ability to develop and maintain business relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated strong influence on organizational change/project management, and relationship building skills.
• Ability to analyze information, define problems and objectives, formulate logical and objective conclusions, and defend conclusions or proposals.
• Ability to use technology and computer systems to enhance accuracy and quality of work.
• Experience researching and analyzing policies, laws rules, or regulations and writing policy.

Preferred: 

• Knowledge of the criminal justice system, racial disparities, and other conditions that can lead to a person's confinement in prison. We seek a person who is well-organized, has demonstrated research skills, and values the opinions of others. Should be flexible and have the ability to manage several projects or activities in tandem with others. 
• Previous experience in working with volunteers is desired. A sense of humor and ability to work well with others in stressful situations addressing sensitive topics is highly desired.
• Has worked with and understands authorizing environment and communications needs.
• Practical understanding of legislative process, departmental policies, necessary security protocols in a regulated environment.

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.
• 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.

Telework Details

This position may be allocated for 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. Some offices will have a “drop in” area available, however, a dedicated workspace within a DOC facility will not be provided.

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 vacation 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 jennifer.schwenker@doc1.wa.gov or call us at 360-640-3840. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.