Correctional Hearings Officer 3 - Hearings | Tacoma

Correctional Hearings Officer 3 Full Time | Permanent Location: Tacoma, WA Salary Range: $6,504 - $8,747 Monthly This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees bargaining unit. The Washington State Department of Corrections is seeking a highly dedicated legal professional to join the Employee & Business Support Services Administration Hearings Unit as a Correctional Hearings Officer 3 (CHO3). The goal of this position is to conduct all legally binding administrative Department of Corrections hearings in accordance with identified standards and regulations as defined in statutes, case law, policies, and court decisions. As a Correctional Hearings Officer, you will be responsible for presiding over a complex and diverse range of quasi‑judicial proceedings, assuring a fair hearing process and ensuring due process requirements are met, including the individual’s right to full and timely notice and the right to confront the evidence used against them. The hearings officer will make probable cause determinations to establish whether the evidentiary burden of proof is met. The candidate of choice will make an independent determination, mitigating any risk of unintentional bias, bolstering impartiality, and applying consistency in the application statewide. Some of your duties will include: Independently presiding over hearings and negotiated sanction reviews assigned throughout Washington State, which may include: Presiding over administrative disciplinary hearings for individuals alleged to have committed violations of their conditions Avoiding all ex‑parte communication regarding any process Communicating with case managers regarding potential safety and security concerns Collaborating with case managers and host facilities to mitigate safety and security concerns Ensuring individuals are afforded all required due process and that hearing procedures are strictly followed in accordance with federal and state law Verifying full and timely notice, jurisdiction, foundation for any allegation, and determining guilt Applying neutral and unbiased discretion to determine whether the preponderance standard has been met or whether probable cause has been met for Interstate Compact hearings Imposing reasonable and appropriate sanctions, up to and including DOSA revocation and return to prison Evaluating whether eligible individuals require attorney representation for the hearing using a screening tool Presiding in hearings in which individuals are represented by an attorney Determining whether discovery requests are reasonable, relevant, and not unduly burdensome, and whether withheld or redacted records should be provided Reviewing and approving or rejecting sanction agreements and reviewing packets in advance of the scheduled process Performing all preparation work necessary to conduct hearings and negotiated sanctions within directed timeframes Regular statewide travel is required of a Hearing Officer Determining if the evidentiary burden is met to support the finding of probable cause for all formal disciplinary processes for individuals supervised by the Community Corrections Division Serving as the Statewide Hearings Duty Officer Participating as a regional hearings appeal panel member and responding to correspondence Training and development Other duties as assigned Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized with the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) Three (3) years of experience conducting hearings; presenting cases in court or hearings, mediation, dispute resolution, or restorative justice practices Or an Associate’s Degree with five (5) years of experience in the same areas Or a high school diploma or equivalent with seven (7) years of experience in the same areas Preferred Qualifications Four‑year degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA Juris Doctorate degree or graduate degree in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Law, or a related field Experience as a Hearings Examiner, Mediator, Arbitrator, Court Commissioner or Judge Benefits As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work‑life integration is a priority. Washington State employees receive a comprehensive benefits package that 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 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. Equal Opportunity Employer 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. Minimum 3 professional references with phone number and email address are required. A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire. Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Applicants must comply with all state and federal laws regarding drug and alcohol use; a pre‑employment drug test may be required. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies to aerosol pepper spray or animal care projects should inquire about exposure. Tuberculosis (TB) testing may be required; positive tests do not preclude employment. Foreign equivalent degrees must have a credential evaluation report attached to the application. Applicants must provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States in accordance with I‑9 requirements. DOC does not use E‑Verify; therefore, STEM‑Optional Practice Training (OPT) is not available. Telework Details This position may be allocated for telework. Employees may work from home or another off‑site location within Washington State using a reliable internet or cellular hotspot. Employees will be expected to maintain confidentiality, use state‑issued equipment responsibly, and commute to a DOC facility or field office as required. #J-18808-Ljbffr State-of-Washington