Under limited supervision in an adult corrections institution

     1. Provides both counseling and custody treatment services in the management of a caseload of adult criminal offenders;

 OR

     2. Performs pre-parole counseling, resident program planning and other counseling services.

This is a journey-level class. Incumbents perform varied, semi-intensive counseling under minimum supervision. This level of counseling is characterized by full programming responsibilities, scheduled and pre-planned sessions, development of periodic and final case reports, consultations provided to other comparable or higher-level staff regarding specific cases, and presentations before the Washington State Board of Prison Terms and Parole. Types of custody functions at this level include area searches, frisks, routine hall supervision, escapee apprehensions, resident transports, and participation on disciplinary committees.

Maintains and coordinates contact with employers and/or school personnel to evaluate a resident’s progress;

Attends classification committee sessions, discusses and makes recommendation regarding resident’s progress and program;

Counsels with and advises residents to assist them in improving their personal outlook, adjustment to basic living problems and social behavior;

Prepares reports, making recommendation regarding resident treatment, training, progress, and/or revocation; recommends resident placement in treatment programs; aids residents in located employment;

Participates in staff meetings; provides input to program policies, rules, and regulations; appears with resident at Parole Board hearings and makes recommendations;

Interviews residents to obtain and compile personal data and social background; contacts friends, relatives, teachers, and public and private agencies to secure information on the resident’s background, personal history, and social adaptability;

Participates in meetings such as disciplinary, fair hearing, disposition, progress and planning and makes appropriate recommendations;

Processes furlough and/or work/training release applications, making recommendations; conducts investigations for furlough and/or work/training release status;

Serves legal papers on residents regarding court actions, divorce, separations, consents for adoption and other legal actions;

Monitors resident’s progress in individual treatment plan and graduated responsibility program and recommends adjustments as necessary;

Approves and/or recommends approval of resident financial transactions; May be responsible for the supervision of student interns or volunteers;

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge of: principles and practices of casework, community resources, individual and group behavior, criminal justice system, and objectives of correctional programs; interviewing techniques;

Ability to: learn and apply laws, rules, regulations, and policies of the Washington State criminal justice system; use authority constructively; gain and maintain confidence and cooperation of residents, staff members, and other agencies; analyze situations for effective solutions; write and speak effectively;

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

One year as a Classification Counselor 1 in Washington State service

OR

A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in sociology, psychology, social work, criminology, or closely related field

AND

One year of experience in adult or juvenile corrections, rehabilitation, or social casework

Additional qualifying experience will substitute year-for-year for up to two years of the required education.

A Master’s degree in one of the above fields of education will substitute for the year of required experience.

Note:  Corrections experience means that the focus of the work is dealing directly with offenders a majority of the time.

New class consolidates (formerly 39140 Classification Counselor 2; 39130 Corrections Counselor 2) Adopted May 11, 2007; Effective July 1 2007.
(07/17/2009) Revised desirable qualifications; added Note section.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.