Salary: $168,418.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Tumwater, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Job Number:
Department: Dept. of Corrections
Division: Office of the Deputy Secretary
Opening Date: 08/07/2026
Closing Date: 8/23/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Deputy Assistant Secretary

Exempt Band 4

Location: Tumwater, WA

Salary: $168,418 Annually
The Department of Corrections is seeking a strategic and experienced leader to serve as a Deputy Assistant Secretary within the Prisons Division. The goal of this critical role is to provide overall leadership, direction, and oversight for safety, security, and programming across nine adult male facilities and one female facility.
Organized under A, B, C, and D commands, this position shares executive responsibility for services impacting more than 12,000 incarcerated individuals and over 5,000 custody and non-custody staff statewide. Reporting directly to the Assistant Secretary of the Prisons Division, the Deputy Assistant Secretary provides statewide leadership and strategic vision for adult prison operations.
Decisions in this role directly influence institutional safety, operational consistency, and public safety outcomes. The candidate of choice will provide leadership and support to Superintendents and direct key statewide functions including restricted housing, special investigations, security and safety audits, mail and visiting, recreation, language access, ADA compliance, grievance systems, records, sustainability initiatives, and evidence-based programming.
As a member of the Department's Executive Staff and Executive Leadership Team, this executive role ensures accountability, operational excellence, and collaborative partnerships both internally and externally. This is a high-impact opportunity to shape correctional strategy, strengthen operations, and advance the Department's mission to improve public safety across Washington State.
A completed application packet will include:

• A cover letter regarding your interest in this position with our agency
• A detailed resume
• Three professional references

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 Deputy Assistant Secretary, some of your duties will include:

• Planning, leading, organizing and controlling the work performed by the division
• Directing, monitoring and oversight of operations, security, safety, and emergency response activities conducted in facilities across the Prison Division
• Ensuring clean, effective, and safe prison operations
• Coaching and mentoring new superintendents providing access to training appropriate to level of authority and responsibility
• Reinforcing 2-way communication between all levels of staff and incarcerated individual
• Maintaining the highest standards of personal/professional and ethical conduct and support the state's goals for a diverse workforce
• Providing and ensuring all working environments are free from discrimination and harassment
• Strengthening public confidence in the integrity of department staff by demonstrating and setting the tone for the highest standards of personal and professional integrity, fairness, honesty, and compliance with both the spirit and the letter of the law
• Promoting an environment of public trust free from fraud, abuse of authority, and misuse of public property
• Respecting and protecting privileged information accessible through the course of official duties
• Ensuring that no incarcerated individual or group of incarcerated individuals are given control or authority over other incarcerated individuals with the exception of activities sanctioned within the context of a Therapeutic Community
• Developing and directing implementation plans to respond to sudden shifts in custody and security requirements that require significant changes in policies, procedures, and staff training
• Monitoring application of federal and state laws, administration of rules, regulations, and orders of other agencies with jurisdiction
• Ensuring policies and procedures comply with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
• Facilitating and encouraging public information and education activities by conducting tours, speaking to community groups, and by providing written information concerning prison operations
• Encouraging community agencies that the division has contact with to participate in policy development, coordinated planning, and interagency consultation.
• Serving in the capacity, and making decisions on behalf of the Secretary, on a rotational basis while performing duties of the Headquarters Duty Officer
• Opening and assuming command of the Department Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in the event of a major emergency or disaster
• Serving as the Agency Incident Commander, with responsibilities to manage the agency's response and recovery from critical incidents and significant events
• Determining the allocation of resources and personnel on a statewide basis, management of the incident based on emergency protocols, and coordination activities with all facilities/offices and other federal, state and local agencies

Qualifications
What we need (required qualifications):

• A bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, human resources, education, social sciences, or criminal justice or a closely related field from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or a foreign equivalent

AND

• Five (5) years or more demonstrated broad based managerial or administrative experience in multi-level custody adult correctional environment*

AND

• Five (5) years of demonstrated supervising, coaching and mentoring staff, developing clear direction and work expectations and monitoring performance*
• Proven success managing staff with diverse professional experience and qualifications.

*This experience may be gained concurrently

In addition to the above education and experience, below knowledge, skills and/or abilities are required:

• Demonstrated budget development and administrative experience.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing project management or LEAN methodology
• Possess a working knowledge of total quality management (critical thinking) principles
• Demonstrated ability to respond to difficult or stressful situations in a way that minimizes potential conflict and maintains a good working relationship
• Demonstrated outstanding communications skills and leadership competencies, including mediating, negotiating, and resolving conflict
• Demonstrated ability to create performance measures to monitor and track success
• Demonstrated ability to successfully network, establish, maintain, and expand external environment relationships through the community and other state agencies, legislative bodies, and citizens
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of prison related laws, policies, procedures, and practices
• Demonstrated adherence to productivity standards and timelines established by law and policy
• Ability to identify own training needs and proactively seek training opportunities

NOTE: On a case-by-case basis, the Appointing Authority has the authorization to determine exceptions such as if someone does not technically meet but may exceed the qualifications outlined.

What will make your application stand out (preferred qualifications):

• A master's degree in public administration, business administration, human resources, education, social sciences, or criminal justice or a closely related field from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or a foreign equivalent

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.

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. 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.
• Foreign equivalent degrees awarded outside the United States must have a credential evaluation report attached to your application. You may request the required evaluation/documentation from and Until this documentation is provided, you will not be selected to move forward in the hiring process.
• DOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements for the federal employment eligibility verification form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form.
• DOC does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit

Telework Details

This position may be allocated for telework. If authorized for the role, work may be performed from your home or another offsite location within the state of Washington using a reliable internet or cellular hotspot service at that time. Employees are expected to perform assigned duties in a safe manner, to take proper care all state-issued equipment, and maintain confidentiality of all information in possession while working offsite. Employees will be required to commute to a Department of Corrections facility or field office as business requires, to potentially include components of the onboarding process. Some offices will have a "drop in" area available, however, a dedicated workspace within a DOC facility will not be provided.
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 packa