Correctional Hearings Officer 3 - Hearings | Tacoma

Correctional Hearings Officer3 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 guru to join the Employee & Business Support Services Administration Hearings Unit as a Correctional Hearings Officer3 (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, to include 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. This position is a member of a regional team and contributes potential solutions and improvements that support the integrity and efficiency of Department of Corrections administrative hearings process. If you have experience conducting hearings, presenting cases in court or hearings, mediation, dispute resolution, or restorative justice practices, and you’re searching for a meaningful career in public service, we look forward to reviewing your application materials! Responsibilities Independently presiding over hearings and negotiated sanction reviews as assigned throughout Washington State which could include: Serving as the quasi‑judicial body who presides over administrative disciplinary hearings for individuals identified by statute and policy who are alleged to have committed violations of their conditions Proactively avoiding all ex parte communication regarding any process they may preside over Communicating with case managers regarding potential safety and security concerns Collaborating with the case manager and host facility to mitigate safety and security concerns Ensuring individuals are afforded all required due process and that hearing procedures are strictly followed consistent with case law and in accordance with federal and state law Verifying full and timely notice, verifying jurisdiction to conduct hearing, verifying foundation for any allegation, and determining guilt of any allegation 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 Applying neutral and unbiased discretion to impose reasonable and appropriate sanctions, according to state law, up to and including DOSA revocation and return to prison Evaluating and determining if eligible individuals require attorney representation for the hearing utilizing 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, whether withheld or redacted records should be provided Reviewing and approving/rejecting sanction agreements. Reviews packets to verify jurisdiction and foundation in advance of the scheduled process Performing all prep work necessary to conduct hearings and negotiated sanctions within directed timeframes Regular statewide travel is required of 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 recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), plus three (3) years of experience conducting hearings; presenting cases in court or hearings, mediation, dispute resolution, or restorative justice practices. Associate’s degree, plus five (5) years of experience conducting hearings; presenting cases in court, hearings, mediation, dispute resolution, or restorative justice practices. High school diploma or equivalent, plus seven (7) years of experience conducting hearings; presenting cases in court, hearings, mediation, dispute resolution, or restorative justice practices. Preferred Qualifications Four‑year degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Juris Doctorate degree, or graduate degree in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Law or related field. Experience as a Hearings Examiner, Mediator, Arbitrator, Court Commissioner or Judge. 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. Benefits 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! State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer‑contributed retirement programs. 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. Important Notes This recruitment may be utilized to fill more than one position. Please include a minimum of three 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. 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 wes.org and aice-eval.org. Until this documentation is provided, you will not be selected 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. DOC does not use E‑Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM‑Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit EEO Statement 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr