Salary: $6,615.00 - $8,892.00 Monthly
Location : Grays Harbor County - Aberdeen, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number:Department: Dept. of Corrections
Division: Prisons - SCCC
Opening Date: 09/14/2026
Closing Date: 9/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
DescriptionClassification Counselor 2Full-time, PermanentSalary Range: $6,615-$8,892/monthStafford Creek Corrections Center (SCCC)Aberdeen, WAThe Department of Corrections is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individuals for the position of Classification Counselor 2 at the Stafford Creek Corrections Center in Aberdeen, Washington.
**Note: This recruitment may be used to fill current and future non-permanent and permanent vacancies that may occur. **If you are excited to make a difference in the lives of others and join a team that works towards a meaningful purpose, apply to be a Classification Counselor 2 at SCCC with the Department of Corrections (DOC).
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.
DutiesWe are looking for teammates who share our vision of public service, committed to an equitable and inclusive culture that fosters and inspires excellence, while promoting innovation, engagement, and safety, leading to better outcomes for our incarcerated population, our agency, and our community. The Classification Counselor 2 provides professional classification guidance with the goal of placing incarcerated Individuals int he least restrictive custody designation, while meeting the need to provide of the safety of the public, staff, visitors, and incarcerated. The Classification Counselor 2 further supports the agency's mission to improve public safety by collaborating with community resources and stakeholders to promote successful transition of incarcerated individuals into the community.
DutiesDuty: Manage a caseload of adult criminal offenders.- Investigate all information available for each arriving incarcerated individual, and determine the incarcerated individual's documentation and programming needs.
- Administer Risk Assessment Tools.
- Collect information to complete facility plans, criminal history and risk management tools to determine needs.
- Prepare and submit Incarcerated Individual Release Plan.
- Counsel and inform incarcerated individuals regarding community resources and problems they might encounter in their transition to work release, parole, or release. Work with internal and external entities to facilitate incarcerated individuals' re-entry into the community.
- Enforce court ordered conditions and impose DOC conditions.
- Participate in Risk Management multi-disciplinary teams
- Maintain communication with incarcerated individuals to assist with attorney calls, child custody/support hearings with DSHS and courts, and family contact through crisis/emergency situations
- Arrange translator services
- Evaluate incarcerated individuals for early release
- Regularly review and update incarcerated individuals' plans and programming needs.
- Prepare mutual re-entry plans and coordinate with other facilities for acceptance.
- Monitor incarcerated individuals' programming and behaviors in their transition to work release, parole, or release. Work with internal and external entities to facilitate incarcerated individual re-entry into the community.
- Exercise sound judgment, aligned with Department policy, in decisions concerning sanctions, treatment and education referral.
Duty: Provide effective communication and documentation.- Tasks include:
- Write correspondence, infractions, and incident reports.
- Provide clear, concise, and consistent communication with staff, offenders, and stakeholders
- through available resources.
- Complete paperwork for special visits, death bed visits, funeral outings, job referrals, End of Sentence Review packets, Extended Family Visits, marriages, psychological evaluation requests, offender to offender correspondence, and out of state and international transfers.
- Provide monthly reports.
- Participate in meetings.
- Testify before courts, boards, and classification or disciplinary hearings.
Duty: Navigate and maintain multiple electronic technologies and hard copy files.- Tasks include:
- Record, access, updated and retrieve 1/1 related information from agency database. Maintain electronic and hard copy 1/1 files to accurately reflect current 1/1 status.
Duty: Perform other duties as assigned or required.- Tasks include:
- Work with unit staff, as well as with other sections of the facility, to resolve inmate problems.
- If required, conduct/facilitate training.
- Conduct audits.
- In an emergent situation, transport offenders and perform searches and other security functions.
- Communicate security concerns to supervisor and other staff.
- Write, review, and provide input to institution policies.
- Serve legal documents to offenders.
- Serve as a professional representative of the Department to the public. Dress appropriately for the position.
- Effectively communicate in routine and emergent situations with internal and external stakeholders on a daily basis.
- Maintain positive and professional work relationships.
- Work collaboratively with diverse groups of staff and offenders.
- Staff are expected to present a neat appearance (ex. Business casual) that fits within
- specific working environments. For example, open-toe shoes should not be worn while working in a prison environment.
Work Settings, Hazards:- Perform work duties unarmed in close contact with and among large groups of confined I/l's who live in crowded spaces, who may have history of violent behavior and mental illness, and who may be aggressive and/or confrontational toward other I/l's and/or toward staff.
- Flexibility and adaptability to all policies and procedural changes.
- Walk and/or travel across outdoors on asphalt, dirt, gravel, and/or grass surfaces in all weather conditions.
- All DOC facilities and vehicles are smoke free. Ability to work in an isolated location.
- Ability to work in an area without a non-automated cooling system. May require constant computer work for long periods of time.
QualificationsRequired Qualifications:- Bachelor degree from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and one (1) years of experience in adult corrections, juvenile corrections, rehabilitation or social casework.. A Master degree in in sociology, psychology, social work, criminology, or closely related field will substitute for one year of the required experience.
- OR
- Satisfactory completion of two years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits) and three (3) years of experience in adult corrections, juvenile corrections, rehabilitation or social casework.
- OR
- Satisfactory completion of two years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits) and one (1) year as a Classification Counselor 1 in Washington State service
- OR
- Five (5) years of experience in adult corrections, juvenile corrections, rehabilitation or social casework.
*Note: Corrections experience means the focus of the work is dealing directly with Incarcerated Individuals a 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.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:- Rapid problem-solving ability.
- Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback/criticism.
- Ability to work independently. Completion of Case Management Academy
Supplemental InformationSupplemental InformationVision: 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.
Our Core Values:
- Cultivate an environment of integrity and trust: Corrections values partnership and trust. We foster openness and support courageous conversations. We are committed to doing what we say we are going to do by being accountable and taking personal ownership in our actions.
- Respectful and inclusive interactions: Corrections appreciates and values individuals by promoting an inclusive and diverse environment, which encourages safety. We respect, value, and listen to the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of our stakeholders and consider the impact on those we serve as well as each other.
- People's safety: Corrections believes in creating an environment that values physical, mental, and emotional security and well-being. We honor those who advance safety for all.
- Positivity in words and actions: At Corrections, we assume positive intentions and believe there is a shared desire for the best outcome. We consistently demonstrate positive behavior and always put forth our best effort.
- Supporting people's success: Corrections is committed to our community - understanding individuals, instilling hope, embracing change, and providing opportunities.
IMPORTANT NOTES:- This recruitment may be utilized to fill more than one position.
- Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application.
