Description

Our agency is actively recruiting for a Program Specialist 4 – Substance Use Disorder Professional for our Health Services Division Substance Abuse Recovery Unit (SARU) located at the Washington State Penitentiary, Walla Walla, WA. We are seeking substance use disorder professional's with dynamic interpersonal skills, dependability, ability to complete required duties independently, professionalism, and have a heart for public service.

SARU is responsible for the implementation of evidence-based practices and the operational support to facilitate offender participation in promising practices/programs designed to decrease recidivism, which increases staff, offender and public safety.

As the Substance Use Disorder Professional, you will have the opportunity to improve upon existing diagnosis and treatment of individuals sentenced to confinement in Washington State. You will assess and provide substance abuse treatment needs by identifying assessment results to allow for placement decisions and strategic long-range planning activities, including: classification, custody level, and programming prioritization for SARU, statewide.

We are looking for teammates who share our vision of public service and are committed to an equitable and inclusive culture that fosters and inspires excellence while promoting innovation, engagement and safety, leading to better outcomes for our community and our agency. If you have a passion for service and delivering high-level diagnosis and treatment, review, decide, and apply!

A complete application packet will include:

• Completed online application and profile accessible via the 'Apply' button located at the top right corner of this posting.
• Cover letter regarding your interest for this position.
• Detailed chronological resume.
• Copy of your transcripts.
• Substance Use Disorder Professional certification**.
• And within your online application, include at least three professional references with phone numbers and an email address for each. Definition of “professional references” is listed below in Supplemental Information.

Incomplete application packages may disqualify you from the process.

Duties

Conduct Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5) substance use disorder assessments utilizing DOC 14-040 SUD Assessment for individuals located at the Washington State Penitentiary, Walla Walla, WA

• Enter assessment results in OMNI (Offender Management Network Information system) and maintain documentation of the scoring decisions and rationale.

Determine priorities and coordinate substance abuse pre-screening and assessment services in a manner that maximizes DOC resources.

• Set up callout lists for assessment interviews.
• Prescreen offenders entering Receiving using the GAIN SS Screening Tool.
• Identify offenders needing assessments utilizing OMNI database and GAIN SS results.
• Coordinate offender management and placement with internal stakeholders (custody officers and classification counselors) and organization-wide stakeholders (classification and transportation units).

Serve as the assessment and counseling service provider for SARU working with the Classification Counselors and receiving and contract staff.

• Serve as a provider at WSP (WA State Penitentiary) and CRCC (Coyote Ridge Corrections Center) performing assessments and providing other services as required such as facilitating group.
• Activities may require frequent travel to various DOC facilities, up to 50% of the time.

Prepare and maintain business reports to document efficacy and attainment of position goals.

• Enter assessment summary data into OMNI, SharePoint, and Target data systems.
• Develop assessment summary reports for tracking offenders assessed.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Associates degree with a Social Service or Criminal Justice focus from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or a foreign equivalent.
• Certification as a Substance Use Disorder Professional with Initial and continuous unencumbered licensure in the State of Washington.
• Ability to work independently and within a team, exercising good judgment and promoting positive professional relationships.

The successful candidate may also possess the following:

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or a foreign equivalent.
• Professional experience and understanding of evidenced based treatment delivery practices.
• Professional experience using OMNI, SharePoint, Target, or other offender tracking system.
• Experience working within a corrections/law enforcement environment.

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 human corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.
• Our Core Values:
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Supporting people's success: Corrections is committed to our community – understanding individuals, instilling hope, embracing change, and providing opportunities.

COVID 19 Vaccination Requirement

Employees of the WA State Department of Corrections (DOC) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Any offer of employment is contingent upon verification of your vaccine status. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. You may request an accommodation if you are unable to meet this requirement due to a medical or religious necessity.

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.

• 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.

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!

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 at (509) 907-7808.

For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.