Description

Special Commitment Center Ombuds

At DSHS our mission is to transform lives. The Office of Justice and Civil Rights is seeking an experienced advocate committed to making a difference in the lives of others as an Ombuds serving the Residents and employees of DSHS’s Special Commitment Center locations. Our program treats people who are detained and/or civilly committed by helping them in address their sexual offending treatment needs for eventual release into our communities. This role is designed for the policy-savvy collaborator who can meet people where they are and drive change from a person-centered approach.

As the Ombuds representing SCC, you will provide direction on concerns brought forward regarding the care, treatment, and oversight of adults civilly committed to DSHS’s custody and the SCC employees. In this role, you will examine civil rights complaints and conduct independent, neutral reviews of program conformance to internal SCC policies. You will conduct this critical work by working collaboratively with diverse groups of people (including SCC Residents, staff, and leadership) to achieve creative solutions to systemic disputes.

Your ability to multi-task while working independently with a high degree of autonomy is vital to your success in this role. As the Ombuds, you will investigate employee and resident claims, provide quality assurance, and consult with decision makers, crafting and advocating for recommendations that will improve the experience of SCC residents and staff, lessen the likelihood that unacceptable actions occur, strengthen the rapport between the residents and their treatment program, uphold the integrity of internal policies and operations, and support a person-centered culture.

After training, a hybrid telework schedule will be available for this Olympia-based role. This role does require direct client interaction at least once per week at the SCC facility located on McNeil Island (ferry transportation provided), and with occasional travel to Secure Community Transition Facilities in Pierce and King counties and Less Restrictive Alternatives in various WA cities.

Some of what you will do

• Field, respond to, and document complaints on behalf of SCC location staff and residents
• Conduct independent investigations into complaints related to the care and treatment of SCC residents
• Create investigative and critical reports, which will include findings of fact and recommendations, as well as an annual report summarizing the activities and recommendations of the Ombuds Office
• Provide impartial reviews, risk analysis, and formal recommendations about Program conformance with internal policies, rules, statutes, and relevant court decisions
• Work in direct collaboration with SCC Program Staff and OJCR Resident Advocates to better understand programmatic challenges, respond to resident inquiries and show systemic trends
• Interact regularly with SCC residents to receive their concerns and understand their experience
• Meet regularly with the Behavioral Health Administration, and SCC/OJCR executive leadership teams to discuss substantive issues and recommendations and raise awareness around substantive issues related to the experience of SCC Residents

Fast forward 12 months: You have successfully learned the essential functions of this job and of SCC operations, policies, procedures, and WAC regulations. You are visiting SCC locations regularly and bringing reported issues to the attention of the OJCR. The collaborative work that you are doing is influencing quality change.

Who should apply

• Professionals devoted to public service or focus on human rights; those believing in resident rehabilitation services and equal treatment for all people
• And, a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Public Administration, Sociology, Psychology, Counseling, Organizational Development, or other closely allied fields
• And, at least 2 years of experience working directly with treatment or case management for people with a criminal background, behavioral health diagnosis, in adult forensic populations, or other high-risk populations; concurrent work experience should include:
  • Experience conducting credible, independent, impartial investigations, risk analyses, reviews, interviews, audits, or critiques
  • Experience in advocacy, mediation, or facilitating negotiations between interested parties
  • Ability to interpret and analyze complex policy

• A Masters degree may be considered as a work experience substitution. Additional relevant work experience may substitute year for year for the BA degree.

Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Treatment of people with dignity and respect, throughout every interaction
• A well-rounded understanding of mental health diagnoses, including personality disorders and atypical cognitive functioning- as well as behavioral characteristics related to forensic populations and/or people with sexual offense histories
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Use of MS Office Suite and legal research tools
• Comfortability in providing one-to-one counseling and coaching to diverse groups
• Excellent judgment and clinical deftness to respond appropriately to the interpersonal dynamics inherent in a treatment setting

See why people like you chose careers with DSHS.

This job is classified as a WMS1.

Interested? Please list 3 professional references’ contact information on your application and include your current resume and a cover letter explaining how your knowledge, skills, and abilities qualify you for this role.

Questions? Email bastrjl@dshs.wa.gov or phone Jenny at 360-791-4168, reference 05336. To learn more about DSHS, go to www.dshs.wa.gov.

Our Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) mission to Transform Lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s mission that you bring an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Employees of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Any offer of employment is contingent upon verification of your vaccine status. Please note medical or religious accommodation may be available once an offer of employment is made.

#WeAreHiring #InclusionWorks
key words: ombudsperson, ombudswoman, ombudsman, behavioral health advocate

Supplemental Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. 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 job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

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