Director, Office of the Corrections Ombuds (OCO)

Description

Please Note: The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates’ qualifications within the starting salary range of $89,592- $161,268 annually.

Terms of Appointment: Per RCW, the person appointed ombuds holds office for a term of three years and continues to hold office until reappointed or until his or her successor is appointed. The governor may remove the ombuds only for neglect of duty, misconduct, or the inability to perform duties. Any vacancy must be filled by similar appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.

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: You’ll 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. You’ll ensure that our organization aligns with the Governor’s 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 OCO’s mission and values while maintaining compliance with all agency standards.

If you’re passionate about justice reform, committed to human rights, and eager to make a lasting impact in Washington’s corrections system, this is the role for you.

Duties

What you’ll 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 governor’s office, the legislature, and the statewide family council, by November 1st of each year.
• Lead and support agency’s participation and reporting mechanism as required by RCW 72.09.770.
• Work with a wide range of people, including lawmakers, the Governor’s 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 Governor’s goals for successful reentry.
• Oversee the agency’s annual budget ($2.5 million for FY25) and adjust resources as needed.
• Lead and support agency’s 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 toll-free 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, de-escalation 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 socio-economic backgrounds of incarcerated individuals and ability to identify systemic barriers.

Desired Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s 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 cross-check information. Compile or oversee investigative findings to ensure they are clear, concise and well-supported 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 Rape Elimination Act (PREA).
• Knowledgeable about the challenges of reintegration into society post-incarceration 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. Don’t 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 well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.

Please visit our Recruitment Page for a full list of benefits available to employees. Here’s 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 you’ve decided to apply for a state government job, you’ll 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 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

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 atTalentAcquisition@ofm.wa.gov.

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 Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That’s why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. 

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

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 Department of Retirement Systems’ web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays 

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. 

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave 

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. 

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165. 

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave 

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 12-31-2022

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