Director Office of the Corrections Ombuds OCO
Director Office of the Corrections Ombuds OCO
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Job Description
Description
- Please Note: The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates qualifications within the starting salary range of $89592 $161268 annually. This position will remain open until filled with a first review of applications the week of March 17 2025.
Why work for the Office of the Corrections Ombuds
At the Office of the Corrections Ombuds (OCO) we are driven by a powerful mission: to create a more humane transparent and equitable Washington Corrections system. As an independent and impartial agency established by the Legislature we are committed to advocating for incarcerated individuals resolving conflicts and fostering systemic improvements within the Department of Corrections (DOC). Our vision is to empower those impacted by incarceration to raise their concerns reduce harm and influence positive change across the system.
Our work is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. We provide crucial information to incarcerated individuals and their families raising awareness about their rights and responsibilities and ensuring that our services are equitable and inclusive. Diversity and lived experience are at the heart of our mission as we work to build a corrections system that serves everyone fairly.
The job opportunity
We are looking for a dynamic and visionary leader to join us as the OCO Director. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of the Office of the Corrections Ombuds and make a real difference in the lives of individuals affected by incarceration. As OCO Director you will:
- Lead with Impact: Youll be at the helm of our organization shaping and guiding the operations to ensure we meet our statutory obligations while continuously improving our services. To accomplish this the Director will be required to be actively engaging directly with communities and other key partners.
- Drive Positive Change: Evaluate and refine policies systems and processes to create meaningful change in the corrections system. Your leadership will directly influence how we negotiate outcomes recommend reforms and address both individual and systemic issues.
- Engage with Diverse Stakeholders: Build strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including elected officials state agencies incarcerated individuals their families and communities advocating for the rights of incarcerated people.
- Empower and Support Your Team: As a leader you will provide direction support and the tools your team needs to excel. Youll ensure that our organization aligns with the Governors vision and that our mission is effectively carried out at every level.
- Champion Communication and Branding: Oversee media relations ensuring consistent messaging that reflects the OCOs mission and values while maintaining compliance with all agency standards.
If youre passionate about justice reform committed to human rights and eager to make a lasting impact in Washingtons corrections system this is the role for you.
Duties
What youll work on
The OCO must oversee and/or is responsible for:
- Monitor DOC compliance with federal state and local laws rules regulations and policies related to the health safety welfare and rehabilitation of incarcerated persons.
- Participate in legislative and policy developments affecting correction facilities.
- Maintain a statewide uniform reporting system to collect and analyze data regarding DOC complaints.
- Hold public meetings every quarter.
- Submit an annual report to the governors office the legislature and the statewide family council by November 1st of each year.
- Lead and support agencys participation and reporting mechanism as required by RCW 72.09.770.
- Work with a wide range of people including lawmakers the Governors Office DOC leaders incarcerated individuals and criminal justice reform groups to address issues and improve Washington corrections system.
- Advise state agencies and leaders on improving conditions of confinement and ensure policies align with the Governors goals for successful reentry.
- Oversee the agencys annual budget $2.5 million for FY25 and adjust resources as needed.
- Lead and support agencys participation and reporting mechanism as required by RCW 72.09.770 Unexpected Fatality Reviews.
- Work with incarcerated individuals their families and others to identify and address gaps between the rights of incarcerated individuals and current laws or policies.
- Help incarcerated individuals advocate for themselves by providing guidance and resources.
- Maintain a statewide tollfree telephone number website and a mailing address for the receipt of complaints and inquiries.
Qualifications
What we need you to bring
Required Qualifications:
- Experience with providing oversight monitoring or advocating for changes within the criminal justice or corrections systems such as working with regulatory agencies policy advocacy groups or human rights organizations.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the correctional system including legal rights and rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals as well as rules and regulations governing correctional facilities and staff.
- Knowledge of legal processes and standards for investigating complaints conducting hearings or making recommendations.
- Professional and engaging written and verbal communication skills are essential including experience with crafting reports press releases testifying before legislative bodies advocacy deescalation and negotiation techniques.
- Experience in leadership roles and managing teams. Proven ability to lead motivate and oversee staff set strategic priorities and ensure operational efficiency. Knowledge of the cultural racial ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds of incarcerated individuals and ability to identify systemic barriers.
Desired Qualifications:
- A bachelors degree or higher in criminal justice law public administration social work or a related field.
- Experience with the following:
- Developing managing and monitoring budgets ensuring resources are allocated efficiently and in alignment with organizational priorities.
- Applying or leading structured investigative methods to gather review and crosscheck information. Compile or oversee investigative findings to ensure they are clear concise and wellsupported reports.
- Drafting policy and/or legislation and rules relevant to the governance of corrections systems.
- Working with the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA).
- Working with the principles of conflict resolution and alternative dispute resolution as a trained mediator ombuds and/or negotiator.
- Working with individuals who are incarcerated and supervising a diverse workforce including formerly incarcerated individuals.
- Working with diverse stakeholders including people with lived experience of incarceration.
- Caseload management and prioritization of workload with ability to manage multiple projects and issues concurrently.
- Familiarity with WADOC policy practice and culture and the Prison Elimination Act (PREA).
- Knowledgeable about the challenges of reintegration into society postincarceration and ability to assist in accessing resources or programs aimed at successful reentry including job training housing and support services.
We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. Dont let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have transferable experience please tell us about it or contact us with questions about the required qualifications and how your experience relates to them.
Supplemental Information
Supplemental Information:
What we offer:
We foster a culture of integrity innovation inclusion and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and wellbeing we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.
Please visit our Recruitment Page for a full list of benefits available to employees. Heres a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that we offer:
- An environment of diversity equity inclusion and belonging
- Tuition reimbursement
- Medical Dental Vision and Life Insurance
- 12 paid holidays 14 paid vacation days (minimum) and 12 days of sick leave per year
- State retirement programs
Application Process: Once youve decided to apply for a state government job youll complete an online application to showcase your qualifications. Keep in mind that once you submit the application a real person is going to read it. We do not use AI or other technology that screens your application and rejects it. So please be sure to provide clear and detailed information about your work history so your qualifications can be accurately assessed. We will contact the top candidates directly to schedule interviews. If you need reasonable accommodation in applying please call 711 or.
When completing your application we encourage you to attach all of the following:
- Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
- Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
- References: at least three professional references and their contact information.
Questions:
Our Staff ASL interpreter is available to all deaf and hard of hearing applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process please email us
The Office of the Governor is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural racial ethnic sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women racial and ethnic minorities persons of disability persons over 40 years of age and disabled and Vietnamera veterans are encouraged to apply.
Required Experience:
Director
Employment Type
Full Time
