Tribal Liaison (Internal Only)

Note: This job opportunity is only open to OFM employees.

Please note:The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates qualifications within the budgeted salary range of $65328 - $85224annually. However there is the potential for longevity growth and salary progression for the individual once employed.

Why work for the Office of the Governor

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

Casework and Investigations:

• Conduct independent investigations into complaints involving the Department of Corrections in accordance with agency policies applicable laws and professional investigative standards.
• Manage a medium caseload of investigations.
• Gather review and analyze evidence including interviews records policies and other relevant documentation.
• Maintain accurate case files and documentation while ensuring confidentiality and compliance with applicable laws and policies.
• Communicate with complainants incarcerated individuals family members DOC staff and other stakeholders by telephone written correspondence email and in person to obtain information provide updates clarify issues and facilitate the investigation process.
• Facilitate dispute resolution and negotiations with DOC staff to resolve concerns when appropriate to resolve complaints and improve outcomes.
• Draft and send letters to complainants explaining the results of the investigation.
• Participate in weekly OCO hotline rotation.

Tribal Liaison Duties:

• Serve as the Office of the Corrections Ombuds Tribal Liaison by developing and maintaining collaborative government-to-government relationships with Tribal Nations.
• Coordinate communication and consultation with Tribal governments regarding matters within the Offices authority.
• Facilitate meaningful engagement with Tribal Nations by ensuring timely communication supporting consultation processes and serving as a primary liaison between the Office and Tribal governments.
• Promote culturally responsive practices and provide guidance to staff regarding Tribal sovereignty cultural awareness and effective engagement.
• Develop draft and maintain Centennial Accord Plan and Tribal Consultation policy and provide updates as necessary.
• Make responsible efforts to collaborate with Indian Tribes in the development of policies agreements and program implementation that directly affects the tribes

Public Information Duties:

• Assist the Public Records Officer with the intake review coordination and processing of public records requests.
• Coordinate with agency staff to locate and produce responsive records within statutory timelines.
• Draft prepare and route correspondence through GovQA portal to requestors for review and approval by the Public Records Officer prior to release.
• Maintain records request tracking systems and supporting documentation to ensure compliance with legal requirements and retention standards.

Other Duties:

• Conduct facility visits as needed to communicate in-person to complainants assess concerns and/or engage in discussions with DOC staff.
• Collaborate with Ombuds staff and agency partners to improve investigative processes and service delivery.
• Develop and deliver presentations training and outreach materials as assigned.
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable laws investigative practices public records requirements and Tribal relations.

What we need you to bring

• Demonstrated knowledge of correctional systems investigative processes or oversight functions including the ability to interpret and apply applicable laws regulations policies and procedures.
• Experience performing objective investigations by gathering analyzing and evaluating evidence; conducting interviews; and preparing well-supported findings and recommendations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Tribal sovereignty government-to-government relationships and principles of consultation and engagement with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities.
• Advanced skillin building collaborative relationships and communicating effectively with Tribal governments incarcerated individuals family members agency staff and other diverse stakeholders using professionalism diplomacy and cultural humility.
• Understanding of public records laws records management practices and the principles of confidentiality privacy and appropriate records disclosure.
• Ability to analyze complex information exercise sound judgment resolve problems and make informed decisions in sensitive or high-profile situations.
• Ability to manage multiple investigations projects and competing priorities while meeting deadlines and maintaining a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and other business technology tools to prepare reports correspondence presentations and maintain case documentation.
• Advanced skill in preparing clear concise written reports correspondence and presentations and communicating complex or sensitive information to diverse audiences.
• Ability to interact professionally and effectively with individuals experiencing crisis trauma emotional distress or challenging behaviors using de-escalation techniques empathy and sound judgment.
• The ability to learn and grow: Curious about themselves and others who take responsibility for knowing their own strengths and weaknesses and who use their learning to make government programs and processes more efficient and effective to serve all in Washington.
• The ability to meet the needs of others: Flexible adaptable customer-service focused and willing and able to empathetically respond to the unique needs of the people we work with and serve.
• Experience conducting complex investigations.
• Experience in Ombuds services conflict resolution policy analysis or preparing professional investigative reports.
• Proficiency in speaking reading and writing one or more languages in addition to English that supports effective communication with the individuals and communities served by this Office.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience conducting complex investigations.
• Experience in Ombuds services conflict resolution policy analysis or preparing professional investigative reports.
• Proficiency in speaking reading and writing one or more languages in addition to English that supports effective communication with the individuals and communities served by this Office.

What we offer
At OCO we foster aculture of integrity innovation inclusion and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.

Please visit our Recruitment site for a full list of employee benefits. Heres a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that ORIA offers:

• A culture that values and strives to advance diversity equity inclusion and belonging
• 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 will read it. We do not use AI or other technology to screen your application.Please ensure you provide clear 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 require a reasonable accommodation during the application process please call 7-1-1 or 1-.

When completing your application please attach all of the following required documents:

• 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 current contact information.

Questions: OFMs 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 at.

The Office of Corrections OMBUDS 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 with disabilities persons over 40 years of age and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.