Salary: $5,839.00 - $7,855.00 Monthly
Location : Mason County - Shelton, WA
Job Type: Agency Internal - Permanent
Job Number:
Department: Dept. of Corrections
Division: Prisons - WCC
Opening Date: 09/23/2026
Closing Date: 9/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Classification Counselor 1 - Teamsters

Washington Corrections Center - Shelton, WA

Department of Corrections - Prisons

Full Time - Permanent

DOC Internal ONLY

Washington Corrections Center (WCC) is located 35 miles northwest of Olympia, the state capital. WCC is predominantly a Reception and Diagnostic Center, a close, medium-and long-term minimum custody facility. The facility has a primary responsibility to process, test, and classify all adult male incarcerated individuals sentenced to prison in Washington State. The facility has seven living units, compromised of 5 close custody reception units, and 3 medium and long-term minimum units. WCC houses approximately 1,800 incarcerated individuals. There are approximately 500 incarcerated individuals screened and processed each month. WCC also serves as a major transportation hub responsible for the transfer of incarcerated individuals to and from facilities throughout the state.
This is an entry-level position that is instrumental in assuring a safe environment for staff and the incarcerated population. This is accomplished through established uniform procedures for assessing the risk of sexual victimization and/or predation for all individuals under its jurisdiction and maintaining information for use in housing and program assignment decisions. The Classification Counselor 1 (CC1) position also assists with the facilitation of state orientation and receives a small, prescreened caseload, as incumbents in these positions typically perform the less difficult assignments.

To be considered for this position, please apply directly at to this announcement AND attach the following items to your application:

• A current resume (indicating your related experience),
• A cover letter (preferably no more than two pages) describing how you meet the qualifications and why you are an ideal candidate for this position,
• Three (3) professional references.

**Please note, an incomplete application package may disqualify you from the process.

We are looking for evidence in your application materials that you have the experience, skills, and abilities indicated in this job posting. Qualified applicants whose responses most closely match the requirements of this position may be invited to interview. Carefully review your application before submitting. All information may be verified and documentation may be required.
Duties

These duties will include but not be limited to:

• Facilitate in-person state orientation for all incarcerated individuals and prepare updated materials, assignments, and equipment for classroom use.
• Handle less difficult, screened caseloads, managing day-to-day individual programming, behaviors, and class material needs.
• Investigate all available information for arriving individuals to determine their specific documentation, tracking, and programming needs.
• Administer Risk Assessment Tools and PREA Risk Assessments (PRAs), ensuring all mandatory documentation is completed within required timelines.
• Collect data to complete facility plans, criminal history portfolios, and risk management profiles to determine security and programming needs.
• Prepare and submit Release Plans and Mutual Agreement Plans, coordinating with internal entities and other facilities for acceptance.
• Counsel and inform individuals regarding community resources and potential challenges they might encounter during transition to work release, supervision, or release.
• Enforce court-ordered conditions and impose DOC conditions, exercising sound judgment aligned with Department policy regarding sanctions and treatment referrals.
• Participate in Risk Management and multi-disciplinary teams, attend facility meetings, and provide monthly tracking reports.
• Maintain communication to assist individuals with critical needs, including attorney calls, DSHS child custody or court hearings, translator services, emergency family contact, and specialized paperwork (such as visits, outings, and End of Sentence Review Packets).

Qualifications
A bachelor's degree involving major study in sociology, psychology, social work, criminology, or a closely related field.

OR

Satisfactory completion of two years of college in sociology, psychology, social work, criminology, or closely related field and two years of experience in adult corrections, juvenile corrections, rehabilitation, or social casework.

OR

Four or more years of experience in adult corrections, juvenile corrections, rehabilitation, or social casework.

Note: Corrections experience means your work involves dealing with incarcerated individuals the majority of the time.

In addition to at least one of the above, this position requires:

Ability to -

• Write clearly, factually, and concisely.
• Analyze and interpret data, weigh the risks, and make decisions or recommendations to address staff and offender needs.
• Identify and address offender behavior/needs.
• Organize and prioritize work.
• Apply conflict resolution skills.

Observation - Observes and strategizes personal action based on environmental conditions and human behavior.

Technology - Learns and utilizes computer-based applications in the performance of job duties.

Stress Tolerance - Remains calm and rational while handling difficult situations to include, but not limited to, volatile, threatening or other crisis/emergency situations. Expertly intervenes in response to threats.

Professional Standards - Knows and applies relevant law, policy, procedure, and practice. Adheres to established productivity standards and timelines. Identifies own training needs and proactively seeks training opportunities.

Adaptability - Incorporates new information into an existing framework of understanding. Accepts change and supports the Agency through changes in law, policy and procedure.
A completed application packet will include:

• A detailed chronological resume,
• A cover letter outlining how you meet the qualifications for this position,
• At least (3) three professional references

A professional reference is identified 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.

Incomplete application packages may disqualify an applicant from the application process.

We are looking for evidence in your application materials that you have the experience, skills, and abilities indicated in this job posting. Qualified applicants whose responses most closely match the requirements of this position may be invited to interview. Carefully review your application before submitting. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the application materials submitted.

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 (dependent on position)
• Up to 25 paid vacations 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 the ' web site.

OR

PSERS: Many DOC jobs are covered by the Public Safety Employees' Retirement System (PSERS). If someone moves from a Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) eligible position to a PSERS eligible position, they actually retire under two different systems/plans. For more information, please contact the Department of Retirement System at: 1-800-547-6657.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email or call us at 360-427-4617. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
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