Correctional Unit Supervisor

Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • High school diploma or GED required.
  • Seven years of corrections experience, including supervisory duties in a correctional setting.
  • College credits may substitute for experience; two years of college required with five years of corrections experience.
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution can also qualify with three years of corrections experience.
  • Experience should include direct interaction with incarcerated individuals.

Responsibilities

  • Supervise daily operations of a living unit, ensuring security and sanitation standards are met.
  • Direct staff performance, providing coaching and setting clear expectations.
  • Conduct inspections and searches of individuals and property as per facility guidelines.
  • Plan and monitor unit programs, ensuring compliance with DOC policies.
  • Evaluate and develop staff through performance assessments and training opportunities.

Benefits

  • Flexible work schedule options, including telework depending on position.
  • Up to 25 paid vacation days annually and 8 hours of paid sick leave per month.
  • 12 paid holidays each year along with a generous retirement plan.
  • Comprehensive family medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Additional perks include Flex Spending Accounts and Dependent Care Assistance.
Full Job Description
Salary: $9,608.00 Monthly
Location : Grays Harbor County - Aberdeen, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Non-Permanent
Job Number:
Department: Dept. of Corrections
Division: Prisons - SCCC
Opening Date: 07/16/2026
Closing Date: 7/23/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Correctional Unit Supervisor

Full Time | Acting (Non-Permanent)

Location: Stafford Creek Corrections Center | Aberdeen, WA

Salary Range: $115,296 Annually
Are you a leader who thrives in a dynamic correctional environment and believes accountability, safety, and professionalism go hand in hand? If so, the Washington State Department of Corrections is seeking a skilled and motivated Correctional Unit Supervisor to oversee the daily operations of an incarcerated living unit while fostering a culture of safety, consistency, and operational excellence!

We are currently looking to fill this position in an acting (non-permanent) capacity however this recruitment may be used to fill future non-permanent and permanent vacancies that occur.
The Correctional Unit Supervisor is responsible for supervising incarcerated individuals, staff, and the overall day-to-day functions of a living unit in accordance with Washington Administrative Code (WAC), Department of Corrections policies, and facility Operational Memoranda. You will provide direct leadership and guidance to Classification Counselors, support staff, and Correctional Sergeants who oversee Correctional Officers, ensuring clear expectations, professional conduct, and effective team performance. Your leadership will directly influence unit safety, staff development, and the successful management of incarcerated individuals.
The candidate of choice will continuously inspect and evaluate correctional and security procedures to ensure proper application of directives and compliance with established standards. By analyzing operations, identifying challenges, and recommending practical solutions, you will promote efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and continuous improvement. Maintaining sanitation and security requirements will remain a critical priority, ensuring the living unit operates safely and in alignment with agency expectations.
If you are ready to lead with integrity, strengthen operational performance, and make a meaningful impact in a correctional setting, we encourage you to apply and join a team committed to professionalism and public safety.
A completed application packet will include:

  • A cover letter regarding your interest in this position and how you meet the required qualifications for this position.
  • A detailed resume
  • A copy of your unofficial transcript if you are using college credits or a degree to qualify for the position. You will be required to provide an official transcript if selected.
  • 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 sufficient professional references, please included non-related professionals such as educators or professional associates.


Incomplete application packages will 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.

Duties
We are looking for teammates who share our vision of public service and are 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 Unit Supervisor, some of your duties will include:
  • Supervising, monitoring, and directing the operations of an incarcerated individual living unit to include security practices, incarcerated individual program assignments, sanitation of the units, and compliance with DOC custody policies and operational memoranda which could look like:
    • Directing the security and accountability of incarcerated individuals assigned to the unit
    • Ensuring the living unit sanitation level is consistent with expectations that are mandated by local, State, County and Federal guidelines and local facility standards
    • Ensuring all safety standards associated with the living unit are consistent with expectations that are mandated by local, State, County and Federal guidelines and local facility standards
    • Ensuring inspections/searches of incarcerated individual, incarcerated individual property, and living unit
  • Planning, directing and supervising the work of living unit staff, which includes support staff, Counselors, Correctional Officers and Correctional Sergeants which could include:
    • Establishing and prioritizing performance expectations for staff utilizing core correctional practices
    • Conducting timely employee performance evaluations and ensure proper training is provided
    • Assessing staff individually for career development, personal/professional goals, and provide them with training and/or rotational experiences
    • Providing coaching and mentoring to staff and lead by example
    • Monitoring work performance; investigating and taking appropriate corrective or recommend disciplinary action
    • Ensuring all persons supervised by this position read and comply with Department policies, Operational Memoranda and Post Orders/manuals
  • Planning, directing and monitoring unit programs
  • Oversight, conducting and/or participating in hearings, investigations, and meetings

Qualifications

  • High school diploma or GED

AND
  • Seven years juvenile or adult corrections experience in treatment, custody or community corrections or professional counseling or casework experience and three years' experience as a supervisor, where two of the three years being within a correctional setting.

OR
  • Satisfactory completion of two years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits) from a university or college whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)

AND
  • Five years juvenile or adult corrections experience in treatment, custody or community corrections or professional counseling or casework experience and two years' experience as a supervisor, where one of the two years being within a correctional setting.

OR
  • Bachelor degree from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)

AND
  • Three years juvenile or adult corrections experience in treatment, custody or community corrections or professional counseling or casework experience and two years' experience as a supervisor, where one of the two years being within a correctional setting.

* Note: Corrections experience is defined where the focus of the work is interacting directly with incarcerated individuals the majority of the time.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Working knowledge of DOC Policies, RCW's, WAC's, and Operational Memoranda
  • Working knowledge of offender management and supervision, including behavior management, classification process, sanitation, security and safety.
  • Understanding of incarcerated programs including preparation of offenders for transition back into society

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.

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.


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 (depending on position)
  • Up to 25 paid vacation 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.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email [email protected] or call us at 360-537-2206. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
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