Description

* This recruitment will b e used to fill permanent and non-permanent vacancies. The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position(s) at any time during the process. It is to the applicant’s advantage to apply as early as possible.*

The Department of Corrections is seeking highly motivated and qualified individuals to fill multiple full-time, permanent and non-permanent Corrections Mental Health Counselor 3 positions at the Monroe Correctional Complex (MCC) located in Monroe, Washington.

The Monroe Correctional Complex (MCC) is a 2500 bed male all-custody level facility located 30 miles northeast of Seattle. Employing approximately 1200 staff, the complex consists of five major units; the Washington State Reformatory Unit (WSRU), Special Offender Unit (SOU), a large mental health inpatient treatment unit, Twin Rivers Unit (TRU), Intensive Management Unit (IMU), and the Minimum Security Unit (MSU).

Besides housing general population, the complex provides three major services for Washington's correctional system: housing and treatment for acutely mentally ill incarcerated individuals; housing and treatment for sex offenders; and primary referral and treatment center for complex health-related issues.

Services provided at MCC include custody and security, classification, education, offender work programs, health care (both patient and outpatient), mental health care, sex offender treatment, food service, maintenance, personnel, recreation, volunteer services, religious services, library services, patient records, visiting and extended family visiting. The number of our volunteers fluctuate around 900.

Department of Corrections (DOC), as a partner in the criminal justice system, enhances public safety, administers criminal sanctions and programs in accordance with the law and provides leadership for the future of corrections in Washington State. Whether the work is inside a prison, in community corrections, or in an administrative office, the Washington State Department of Corrections professional staff experience a high degree of personal satisfaction knowing they are creating environments in which all incarcerated individuals can learn to make choices that contribute to a safer society.

A complete application packet will include

• A detailed resume
• A cover letter
• Three professional references, to include email addresses
• Unofficial transcripts

Please note that this position is currently not eligible for telehealth and the selected candidate will be required to reside in Washington State and report to the facility during their work hours

Duties

The Corrections Mental Health Counselor 3 provides evidence based mental health programming that helps treat patients and stabilize their mental health and subsequent behavior, thereby reducing the risk of recidivism.

Duties:

• Provide mental health counseling services to mentally ill, behaviorally troubled, and developmentally impaired patients through: individual counseling; group counseling; crisis intervention; mental health unit rounds; clinical case management; and mental health assessment. Perform the work of a Primary Therapist for an assigned caseload.
• Documentation and Treatment Planning: Observe, interview, collects data, evaluate, and direct treatment of patients on an assigned caseload. Ensure timely and accurate reporting and documentation of services rendered, which may include computer-based data, typed reports, and/or legible handwritten reports. Complete Mental Health Appraisals (MHAs) and Mental Health Updates (MHUs) as required by policy. Complete Suicide Risk Assessments, Safety Plans, and and crisis documentation when required. May be assigned other assessments as needed for patients on assigned caseload.
• Administrative Supervision: Provide administrative supervision to Corrections Mental Health Counselor 2 staff.
• Case Consultation: Attend and actively and cooperatively participate in clinical and administrative supervision meetings as well as Treatment Team and MDT meetings. Attend monthly clinical in-service meetings.
• Case Management: Provide case management services and prepare and distributes reports.
• Other duties as required, to include: Attend and completes required annual in-service and other DOC training. On a rotational basis, for those with a Master’s degree, teach the Suicide Prevention in-service class. Participate in Involuntary Antipsychotic Medication Hearings on a rotational basis, as the hearing chair and for those with formal education training in clinical mental health, participate as the lay advisor.

Qualifications

Required:

• A Bachelor’s degree with a major study in a behavioral or social science AND two (2) years of mental health or social service experience which includes twelve (12) months of experience providing mental health treatment to groups and/or individuals. Experience in mental health treatment may be defined asany experience where responsibilities have included mental health treatment planning, mental health program implementation and/or direct delivery of client mental health services.
  • Note: A Master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for one (1) year of experience; a PhD degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of experience. NEITHER DEGREE can remove the requirement for the twelve (12) months of experience providing group or individual mental health treatment.
  • Note: For specific programs, specialized training and/or experience may be required for eligibility for examination or appointment.
• Within 30 days of hire must obtain status as an Agency Affiliated Counselor through the Washington State Dept. of Health or possess a Certified Counselor credential, Mental Health Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist or Social Worker license from the State of Washington.
  • Note: An Agency Affiliated counselor may only provide counseling services as part of his or her employment for a recognized agency. Applicants for an agency affiliated counselor credential who apply within 7 days of employment may provide services within the agency for up to 60 days while the Department of Health processes your application.

Preferred/Desired:

• A Master’s degree with major study in Psychology/Mental Health from a college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and one (1) year of experience providing mental health treatment on an individual and group basis.

Supplemental Information

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.

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.
• This position 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.
• please note that step M on the payscale is normally a longevity step

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
• 11 paid holidays a year (12 in 2022 for Juneteenth)
• 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 based on 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 ldelong@doc1.wa.gov . For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.