Salary: $10,295.00 Monthly
Location : Walla Walla County - Walla Walla, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number:Department: Dept. of Corrections
Division: Prisons - WSP
Opening Date: 09/21/2026
Closing Date: 10/4/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
DescriptionCorrectional Captain | WSPEMS Band 2Location: Washington State Penitentiary | Walla Walla, WAThe Washington State Penitentiary (WSP) is an adult correctional facility operating in support of the Washington State Department of Corrections mission and the goal to improve public safety. WSP is seeking a detail focused and proactive problem solver to join their team as a
Correctional Captain! The Correctional Captain is tasked with the goal of providing leadership for all other uniformed staff regardless of where they are assigned and administering and coordinating security related activities at a correctional facility level.
The WSP is comprised of 3 Close Custody Units, 4 Special Housing Units, 2 Intensive Management Units, 2 Medium Units, 2 Minimum Housing Units and a Hospital. In all, WSP houses 2,100 male incarcerated individuals and employs approximately 1,100 staff.
Under the direction of the Associate Superintendent, your work will involve assuming responsibility for the interpretation of policy in the daily operations of a correctional facility with all levels of custody. You will be responsible for the administration of essential staff and support services in connection with the review of activity reports, personal conferences, and the successful operations of assigned activities.
Correctional Captains are tasked with ensuring first and second level supervisors' work is reviewed using conference and management analysis techniques. You will evaluate and make decisions concerning requests from the Lieutenant and Correctional Sergeants regarding operational areas of the institution, staff, and incarcerated individuals.
This position is required to administer and coordinate all security related activities of a principle organizational segment such as a Close Custody, Medium and Minimum-security correctional facility or serve in an administrative capacity. As an Incident Commander, you will coordinate operational procedures with the Shift Commander during all emergency responses.
We are searching for an adaptable and dependable team member who has excellent written and verbal communication skills to assume the critical role of Correctional Captain and ensure WSP is operating in support of the mission, vision, and strategic plan of the agency.
To be considered for this position, a completed application packet will include:- A detailed resume
- A cover letter regarding your interest in this position with our agency
- Three professional references
**Note: This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies that may occur.** 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.
As a
Correctional Captain, some of your duties will include:
- Supporting the principles of the Department's Diversity Goals which are necessary to change the culture of the department.
- Directing the custody program at a Close custody, Medium and Maximum-security correctional facility.
- Planning, assigning, and directing shift responsibilities consistent with security and safety needs.
- Completing critical incident investigations for the Superintendent on situations affecting the safety or security of the facility, i.e. escapes, serious assaults, etc.
- Conducting audits and investigations, as required.
- Manage all aspects of security for the entire facility to include the perimeter, weapons storage and use, access/egress areas, air space, vehicle use, movement schedules of incarcerated individuals.
- Manage the following Special Teams, ensuring compliance with training and deployments: Emergency Response Team, Special Emergency Response Team, Inmate Recovery Team, and Sniper Team.
- Subject Matter Expert on all aspects of emergency response to include the ICS model of crisis management.
- Manage all aspects of roster management.
- Make recommendations to the Associate Superintendent and the Superintendent regarding the best use of Human Resources regarding roster management and shift operations.
- Make recommendations for additional staff when necessary.
- Act as one of nine (9) rotating Duty Officers, making major institutional decisions after normal working hours and on weekends. This would include initiation of Emergency Response, HQ notifications and follow-up reporting.
- Represent the Associate Superintendent and the institution at Department meetings.
- Perform the functions of the Associate Superintendent in their absence.
- Developing and mentoring staff by training, feedback and continuous dialogue.
- Completing performance evaluations on employees directly supervised and sign as reviewer on second level supervisor evaluation
- Participate as a member of the Institution Management Team, advising the Superintendent on all aspects of the institution, including budget, programming, personnel, treatment and classification issues.
- Developing Operational Memorandums governing custody and security related functions such as:
- Security inspections of the facility
- Post order requirements
- Staff accountability
- Emergency response plan
- Mutual aid agreements with other state and local agencies
- Assigned shift duties
- First response to emergencies
QualificationsWhat we need (required qualifications):- Six (6) years' professional corrections/criminal justice experience with three (3) years' progressive supervisory responsibilities and/or managerial responsibilities, including one (1) year supervising personnel in a criminal justice arena.
- Professional experience and application of administering the principles and practices of correctional administration and rehabilitation, attitudes, problems, and behavior of incarcerated individuals, work requirements of the facility, institution sanitation, health and safety standards, roster management, and recordkeeping.
- Demonstrated working knowledge of the Incident Command System (ICS), the DOC Emergency Response Plan, personnel practices, policy directives, operational memorandums, RCWs, WACs, and collective bargaining agreements.
- Control and direct incarcerated individuals individually and in groups. Enforce regulations with firmness, tact and impartiality. Promote socially acceptable attitudes and behavior among incarcerated individuals.
- Think and act quickly in emergencies, Direct use of firearms, gas, restraints, and other weapons.
- Communicate effectively, including public speaking.
- Understanding of risk assessment, evidence-based practices, incarcerated individual classification, facility plans, disciplinary systems, incarcerated individual grievance procedures, incarcerated individual programs, and management of high security incarcerated individuals.
What will make your application stand out (preferred qualifications): - Associate's degree in criminology or a closely allied field from an accredited college/university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or foreign equivalent.
- Professional experience managing a budget.
- Demonstrated working knowledge of DOC Strategic Plan, Prisons Division, security, safety policies and procedures, incarcerated individual classification, and incarcerated individual re-entry programs and concepts.
- Professional interpretation and application of DOC policies and applicable CBAs, Civil Service Rules, RCWs, WACs, and judicial procedures.
- Professional experience in the areas of Leadership, Public Relations, and Management principles.
- Ability to supervise and train Correctional Lieutenant(s), Correctional Sergeants, Correctional Officers, and support staff.
Supplemental Information 
