Corrections Specialist 3 - Reentry Navigator

Overview

Department of Corrections — Corrections Specialist 3 - Reentry Navigator
Seattle Community Justice Center | Seattle, WA
Reentry Division

We are hiring a permanent Corrections Specialist 3 within the Reentry Division at the Seattle Community Justice Center. The working schedule is Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This recruitment may be used to fill current and future, permanent and non-permanent vacancies. Employees assigned to a permanent duty station in King County will receive a 5% premium pay calculated from their base salary. A free ORCA card is offered to all employees whose permanent duty station is in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.

This position is a member of the Reentry Division, Reentry Navigator Team. The Reentry Division collaborates with Education, Correctional Industries, Housing Voucher, and Strength in Families, among others. The Reentry Navigator may work with reentry care teams that include institution and community supervision staff, iCoach representatives, family, faith-based supports, mentors, housing providers, Health and Human Service providers, and community support.

Responsibilities

This position directly supports Governor Inslee’s Results Washington goal of reducing recidivism and facility compliance with RCW by facilitating individualized reentry planning and service access. Primary duties include reentry planning workshops, resource event coordination, Individual Reentry Plan (IRP) support, and scheduling Reentry Team Meetings (RTMs) from the Integrated Reentry Continuum of Care Model or wraparound meetings. During RTMs, the specialist identifies institution/community care teams, develops IRPs, and helps individuals access programs and services aligned with identified needs and scorecard items. The role also serves as a reentry liaison to connect individuals with community-based organizations that support a successful transition to the community.

Additional duties support compliance with Governor’s Executive Order 16-05 Building Safe and Strong Communities through Successful Reentry, and contribute to reducing future victims and increasing personal growth opportunities for individuals.

• Provide reentry navigation by assisting individuals in completing IRPs and Essential Needs Checklists; coordinate RTMs or participate in wraparound meetings; provide transfer day support; and deliver resource navigation aligned with risk, needs, and reentry goals.
• Identify evidence-based programs and services addressing criminogenic needs identified through the Washington ONE assessment; coordinate referrals with the individual’s corrections counselor, corrections specialist, or community corrections officer.
• Coordinate RTMs with the individual and reentry team members to support stabilization and progress toward identified goals and reentry plan execution.
• Meet with incarcerated individuals and relevant staff to identify programs and resources addressing risk and needs during confinement, release, or transfer to support successful reentry.
• Identify community resources that match IRP/Scorecard needs to provide long-term benefits to the community and the individual.
• Develop essential needs checklists for the first 72 hours after release or transfer.
• Maintain regular communication with participants through workshops, facility visits, email, phone, or office visits.
• Attend facility and community Reentry Resource Events to promote engagement with community partners and ongoing support.
• Request and process essential needs funds for transfer day support.

Support IRP development across education, employment, substance abuse treatment, mental health, family reunification, and other areas necessary for successful reintegration.

• Support IRP development through workshops, groups, or individual work with internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify reentry programs and services within assigned coverage areas and ensure referrals are connected based on risk and needs.
• Coordinate with correctional staff to connect individuals with appropriate programs and services.
• Recruit, schedule, and facilitate community-based partners to present workshops and resources for reentry planning in institutions and the community.

Communication, Documentation, Collaboration, and Community Outreach:

• Collect and track data related to reentry outcomes, including IRP completion, workshops, Essential Needs Checklists, transfer day support, RTMs, and regular contact with individuals.
• Record, access, update, and retrieve participant information from the agency systems.
• Represent the agency on community groups to sustain engagement with a wide range of systems and community-based agencies to leverage available resources for sustainable reentry.
• Connect incarcerated individuals with the community justice center and/or community transition coordination networks in the area of residence upon release.

Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and 5 years’ experience providing reentry/transition support to a justice-involved population. Five years of experience must include either:

• Three years of experience working with a range of system and community-based resources (e.g., county, city, regional jails; treatment facilities; housing; health and human services providers; work release facilities) or
• Three years of experience using participant-driven reentry strategies in adult or juvenile corrections, social services, or related field.

OR

• Associate’s degree and 4 years’ experience providing reentry/transition support to a justice-involved population.

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience providing reentry/transition support to a justice-involved population.

• Master’s degree and 2 years’ experience providing reentry/transition support to a justice-involved population.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Clear and concise communication skills, both oral and written, with program participants, agency staff, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to build rapport with justice-involved individuals and use engagement strategies to discuss needs, barriers, and goals; collaborate in problem-solving; and support action steps.
• Group facilitation skills.
• Ability to work independently and with stakeholders; openness to feedback and professional growth.
• Knowledge of prison, jail, and community corrections standards; ability to analyze information and develop action and strategic plans; strong interpersonal skills and motivation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in the Washington State criminal justice system from arrest to community transition; understanding key decision points for transition and outcomes.

Vision and Mission

Vision: Working together for safer communities. Mission: Improving public safety by positively changing lives. 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, veteran status, disability, or other protected statuses. This job may include.required notes about background checks, drug testing, and safety considerations as part of the application process.

What We Offer

Benefits include a comprehensive package with medical, dental, and vision insurance, and may include:

• Remote/telework/flexible schedules (where applicable)
• Up to 25 paid vacation days per year
• Up to 8 hours of paid sick leave per month
• 12 paid holidays per year
• Generous retirement plan and related benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts; Dependent Care Assistance; Deferred Compensation
• Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) eligibility

Note: This position is subject to pre-employment background checks and other standard hiring processes. The department may require in-person assessments, drug testing, and proof of identity/work authorization as applicable.