Program Manager

Washington Way Program Manager | West Side

Location: Multiple Locations, Western Washington, WA

Full Time | WMS

Salary Range: $104,028 - $109,728 Annually

This is a telework/hybrid position.

The candidate of choice will be providing facility support and implementation duties for the Washington Way three to four days per week in the CBCC, OCC and WCCW facilities. Telework to be allowed when not required to be on site at the facilities or workshops. 

This position requires frequent travel throughout the state of Washington and possibly to other states or countries.

Are you a collaborative leader driven to create healthier, more effective correctional environments? The Washington Way Program Manager plays a vital role in advancing a correctional culture grounded in dynamic security, normalization, progression, and staff wellness across Washington Corrections Center for Women, Clallam Bay Corrections Center, and Olympic Corrections Center.

This role leads facility specific program implementation, training integration, support, research, tracking, reporting, and cross-functional workgroups. The Program Manager embeds Washington Way principles into department training partnering with facility staff and the Washington Way Team to develop training curriculum for Contact Staff and Resource and Activity Teams and leads policy development and revisions to align department practices with Washington Way models.

The candidate of choice will possess strong independent judgment, is a self-starter, and demonstrates excellent communication skills. They will have the ability to manage a fast-paced and evolving workload, while navigating complex stakeholder environment with professional clarity. The role requires proactive problem-solving, including anticipating challenges, troubleshooting issues early, and seeking support when needed to maintain momentum and alignment.

The Program Manager serves as a key representative of the program - both internally and externally, effectively engaging WADOC leadership, staff, and incarcerated individuals, while also hosting external partners and representing the agency across broader platforms. The position requires a high level of professionalism, integrity, and ethical decision-making, with the ability to  balance priorities while clearly communicating opportunities, challenges, and progress to a diverse set of stakeholders.

Major outcomes include strengthening staff wellness, promoting humane interactions, reducing reliance on restrictive housing, increasing out-of-cell time in segregated environments, building custody staff engagement, leadership support, and communicating implementation metrics. This is an opportunity to help lead a meaningful culture change effort that supports staff, individuals in custody, and the broader mission of public safety! 

A completed application packet will include:

• A cover letter regarding your interest in this position with our agency
• A detailed resume
• Three professional references

We are looking for teammates who share our vision of public service and are committed to an equitable and inclusive culture that fosters and inspires excellence, while promoting innovation, engagement, and safety, leading to better outcomes for our incarcerated population, our agency, and our community.

As a Washington Way Program Manager, some of your duties will include: 

• Assisting OCC/WCCW/CBCC with implementation of Human Centered Correctional Practices with staff wellness at the core of the program which could look like: 

• Planning, developing and implementing the Washington Way working models (Contact Staff, Resource Teams, Mobile Activity teams, Change Agents, staff wellness efforts, etc.) within WCCW, CBCC, OCC

• Oversight of all Washington Way projects at WCCW,CBCC, OCC

• Communicating with staff and incarcerated individuals regarding implementation at WCCW, CBCC, OCC in a way that fosters trust, clarity, and engagement

• Communicate effectively, including public speaking across a range of audiences

• Providing presentations to internal and external stakeholders, visitors, staff members, facility leadership, and Headquarters staff

• Serving as a representative of the Washington Way and WADOC internally and when hosting external partners or representing the agency in broader forums

• Providing recommendations for normalization efforts and items at WCCW, CBCC, OCC.

• Tracking and reporting monthly strategic planning metrics

• Facilitating statewide workgroups and staff training

• Providing professional, constructive, and timely feedback to staff, leadership, and Washington Way team members to support continuous improvement, accountability, and team cohesion

• Working with other participating facilities, States, and countries for coordination and best practices with the Washington Way principles

• Policy review and development for statewide Washington Way program

• Oversight of program assigned projects, meeting project deadlines and communicating status updates to internal and external project stakeholders

What we need (required qualifications):

• Working with and understanding authorizing environment and communication needs
• Knowledge with department policies, security protocols, and prison commands
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively with both employees and managers
• Able to convey a positive and professional image to employees and external contacts
• Ability to develop and maintain business relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated organizational change management skills
• Ability to coach and mentor others
• Ability to analyze information, define problems and objectives, formulate logical and objective conclusions
• Strong influence, change management, and relationship building skills
• Background working in a custody position in a prison facility
• Must possess and maintain a vehicle operator's license valid in the state of Washington

Vision: Working together for safer communities.

Mission: Improving public safety by positively changing lives.

Our Commitment: To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.

Our Core Values:

• Cultivate an environment of integrity and trust: Corrections values partnership and trust. We foster openness and support courageous conversations. We are committed to doing what we say we are going to do by being accountable and taking personal ownership in our actions.
• Respectful and inclusive interactions: Corrections appreciates and values individuals by promoting an inclusive and diverse environment, which encourages safety. We respect, value, and listen to the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of our stakeholders and consider the impact on those we serve as well as each other.
• People's safety: Corrections believes in creating an environment that values physical, mental, and emotional security and well-being. We honor those who advance safety for all.
• Positivity in words and actions: At Corrections, we assume positive intentions and believe there is a shared desire for the best outcome. We consistently demonstrate positive behavior and always put forth our best effort.
• Supporting people's success: Corrections is committed to our community - understanding individuals, instilling hope, embracing change, and providing opportunities.

DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• This recruitment may be utilized to fill more than one position. 
• Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies. If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.

Please note: Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.

• A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire.  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 position.
• Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply. 
• We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws. A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, will be disqualified from consideration. 
• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position. 
• Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire.  When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment will also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.
• Foreign equivalent degrees awarded outside the United States must have a credential evaluation report attached to your application. You may request the required evaluation/documentation from www.wes.org and www.aice-eval.org. Until this documentation is provided, you will not be selected to move forward in the hiring process.
• DOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements for the federal employment eligibility verification form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form. https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
• DOC does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Telework Details

This position may be allocated for telework. If authorized for the role, work may be performed from your home or another offsite location within the state of Washington using a reliable internet or cellular hotspot service at that time.  Employees are expected to perform assigned duties in a safe manner, to take proper care all state-issued equipment, and maintain confidentiality of all information in possession while working offsite.  Employees will be required to commute to a Department of Corrections facility or field office as business requires, to potentially include components of the onboarding process. Some offices will have a "drop in" area available, however, a dedicated workspace within a DOC facility will not be provided.

What We Offer: 

As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority. Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation. Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:

• Remote/telework/flexible schedules (depending on position)
• Up to 25 paid vacation days a year
• 8 hours of paid sick leave per month
• 12 paid holidays a year
• Generous retirement plan
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Deferred Compensation and so much more!

PERS: 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.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email mackenzie.conley@doc1.wa.gov or call us at 509-630-9160. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.