Correctional Unit Supervisor

Correctional Unit Supervisor

Full Time | Permanent

Location: Washington Corrections Center for Women | Gig Harbor, WA

Salary Range: $113,040 Annually

Are you a leader who thrives in a dynamic correctional environment and believes accountability, safety, and professionalism go hand in hand? If so, the Washington State Department of Corrections is seeking a skilled and motivated Correctional Unit Supervisor to oversee the daily operations of an offender living unit while fostering a culture of safety, consistency, and operational excellence!

The Correctional Unit Supervisor is responsible for supervising incarcerated individuals, staff, and the overall day-to-day functions of a living unit in accordance with Washington Administrative Code (WAC), Department of Corrections policies, and facility Operational Memoranda. You will provide direct leadership and guidance to Classification Counselors, support staff, and Correctional Sergeants who oversee Correctional Officers, ensuring clear expectations, professional conduct, and effective team performance. Your leadership will directly influence unit safety, staff development, and the successful management of incarcerated individuals.

The candidate of choice will continuously inspect and evaluate correctional and security procedures to ensure proper application of directives and compliance with established standards. By analyzing operations, identifying challenges, and recommending practical solutions, you will promote efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and continuous improvement. Maintaining sanitation and security requirements will remain a critical priority, ensuring the living unit operates safely and in alignment with agency expectations.

If you are ready to lead with integrity, strengthen operational performance, and make a meaningful impact in a correctional setting, we encourage you to apply and join a team committed to professionalism and public safety.

A completed application packet will include:

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

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 incarcerated population, our agency, and our community.

As a Correctional Unit Supervisor, some of your duties will include:

• Supervising, monitoring, and directing the operations of an incarcerated individual living unit to include security practices, incarcerated individual program assignments, sanitation of the units, and compliance with DOC custody policies and operational memoranda which could look like:
  • Directing the security and accountability of incarcerated individuals assigned to the unit
  • Ensuring the living unit sanitation level is consistent with expectations that are mandated by local, State, County and Federal guidelines and local facility standards
  • Ensuring all safety standards associated with the living unit are consistent with expectations that are mandated by local, State, County and Federal guidelines and local facility standards
  • Ensuring inspections/searches of incarcerated individual, incarcerated individual property, and living unit
• Planning, directing and supervising the work of living unit staff, which includes support staff, Counselors, Correctional Officers and Correctional Sergeants which could include:
  • Establishing and prioritizing performance expectations for staff utilizing core correctional practices
  • Conducting timely employee performance evaluations and ensure proper training is provided
  • Assessing staff individually for career development, personal/professional goals, and provide them with training and/or rotational experiences
  • Providing coaching and mentoring to staff and lead by example
  • Monitoring work performance; investigating and taking appropriate corrective or recommend disciplinary action
  • Ensuring all persons supervised by this position read and comply with Department policies, Operational Memoranda and Post Orders/manuals
• Planning, directing and monitoring unit programs
• Oversight, conducting and/or participating in hearings, investigations, and meetings

What we need (required qualifications):

• High school diploma or GED

AND

• Seven years juvenile or adult corrections experience in treatment, custody or community corrections or professional counseling or casework experience.

OR

• Satisfactory completion of two years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits)

AND

• five years juvenile or adult corrections experience in treatment, custody or community corrections or professional counseling or casework experience

OR

• Bachelor degree 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)

AND

• Three years juvenile or adult corrections experience in treatment, custody or community corrections or professional counseling or casework experience.

AND

• Two years of experience as a supervisor. (This experience may be gained concurrently with the required experience above)
• Demonstrated ability to provide positive leadership in times of stress, conflict, and unforeseen events, remaining calm and rational while handling difficult situations to include, but not limited to, volatile, threatening, or other crisis/emergency situations. Expertly intervene in response to threats

What will make your application stand out (preferred qualifications):

• Working knowledge of DOC Policies, RCW's, WAC's, and Operational Memoranda
• Working knowledge of offender management and supervision, including behavior management, classification process, sanitation, security and safety. Understanding of offender programs including preparation of offenders for transition back into society

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.

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.

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 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 fromwww.wes.org andwww.aice-eval.org. Until this documentation is provided, you will not beselected 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 visitwww.uscis.gov.

Telework Details

This position may be allocated for telework. If authorized for the role, 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!

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 theDepartment of Retirement Systems' web site.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email mackenzie.conley@doc1.wa.gov or call us at 509-630-9160. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.