Coordinated Discharge Senior Worker (Social Worker - Senior)

Jail Health Services (JHS), part of Public Health Seattle & King County, is actively seeking a dedicated Senior Social Worker to join our dynamic Coordinated Discharge team. Coordinated Discharge Social Workers are instrumental in facilitating referrals, connecting individuals to medical care, behavioral health treatment, and various benefits and social services. Their efforts focus on eliminating barriers by providing essential support such as medication, transportation, cell phones, clothing, and assistance with benefit activation upon release. The goal is to ensure a seamless transition to the community from one of two King County jails in Seattle and Kent, WA.

As a key team member, you will provide clinical and programmatic support, emphasizing a harm reduction, trauma-informed, and patient-centered approach. While providing release planning to a small caseload, your responsibilities will extend to training new staff, assisting with onboarding, making informed decisions on work assignments, and providing clinical, technical, and analytical guidance. Your role is pivotal in supporting the day-to-day operations of the team and contributing to the overall success of the Coordinated Discharge services.

JHS provides needed health and social services to the incarcerated population located in the King County jails – King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Seattle, WA and Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent, WA. The primary services we provide include medical, dental, mental health, social and release planning services, treatment of substance use disorders, and pharmaceutical services. We care about the patients we serve and their health outcomes. Our division includes over 250 employees and an annual budget of over $60 million.

The purpose of JHS is to assure that high-quality health and human services are available to the incarcerated population in the King County adult correctional facilities: the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Seattle and the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent. The JHS vision is Opening doors to healthier, happier lives, and the mission is to assess and stabilize serious health problems for the detained population of the King County Correctional Facility and the Maleng Regional Justice Center with a focus on transition from jail.  

Staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year, JHS provides a broad range of health care to all individuals booked into the jails. For patients with serious mental health or medical conditions, special housing units (psychiatric and infirmary) along with a higher level of services and medical monitoring are provided. Since the patient population varies both in numbers as well as in acuity of health conditions, staffing is adapted and flexed to meet the constantly changing needs of the population.

JHS staff manage the complex health needs of underserved populations, many of whom come to the facility without access to care in the community and with decompensated acute and chronic health conditions.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Work Schedule

This position is Monday - Friday 7:30 am to 6:30 pm. Alternate work schedules are considered based on staffing levels and business needs. Potential future program expansion may involve weekend work. This position is non-exempt and eligible for overtime. 

Work Location 

King County Correctional Facility in Seattle at 500 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 and at the Maleng Regional Justice Center located at 401 Fourth Avenue N, Kent, WA 98032. However, candidates will need to be available to work at either site if needed. There will also be minimal work in community locations to meet with patients.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. 

Equity and Social Justice:

• Appling equity and social justice principles and practices and understanding of the effects of place, race and policy and systems-based inequities on marginalized communities and populations when making decisions and recommendations.

On-boarding and Training

• Serve as the primary point person for onboarding and training new Coordinated Discharge Social Work hires.
• Oversee and schedule orientation activities, ensuring a comprehensive and welcoming onboarding process.
• Conduct regular meetings with new hires to provide guidance and support during the onboarding phase.

Daily Management Lead:

• Assist with daily management activities such as making decisions on work and shift assignments for release planning staff.
• Assist caseworkers in navigating program requirements and challenges.

Clinical Quality Assurance:

• Support clinical support through trainings, technical and analytical guidance, and clinical case consult (1:1 and group).
• Provide periodic clinical chart review.

Collaborative Problem Solving:

• Ability to handle interpersonal challenges and maintain a positive work environment.
• Effectively problem-solve with Jail Health Services (JHS) staff, community partners, and non-medical or social services personnel.
• Effectively work with internal/external providers in trouble shooting service delivery issues by identifying process issues or barriers identifying possible solutions.
• Maintain a broad working knowledge and good professional relationship with key community substance abuse treatment facilities, social and health/mental health care providers, and criminal legal and corrections personnel. Identify and foster new possibilities for effective collaboration with outside providers.

Standard Work:

• Assist with regularly scheduled program review, updating, and reinforcement of standard work.
• Contribute to the ongoing standardization efforts to enhance program efficiency and effectiveness using the Plan- Do -Check- Adjust (PDCA) model with the Release Planning staff.

Required:

• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, or counseling from an accredited university or equivalent.
• State of Washington associates license (LMHCA, LMFTA, LICSWA, LMFTA, LSWAA) or recognized equivalent) OR ability to apply for licensed agency affiliated counselor (LAAC) within 30 days of employment
• Two (2) years’ full-time work experience (within the last 5 yrs.) in a counseling, social work, or case management capacity with adult populations experiencing severe and persistent behavioral health conditions.
• Two (2) years of full-time experience (within the last five years) maintaining accurate clinical biopsychosocial assessments, updating case records, documenting interventions, progress, and outcomes, and reporting patient status in an electronic health record
• Two (2) years of full-time experience (within the last 5 years) coordinating medical, mental health, substance use, and other social service resources in KING COUNTY for Medicaid-eligible adults
• Two (2) years of full-time experience (within the last 5 years) in counseling, social work, or case management with adult populations living unsheltered and experiencing severe and persistent behavioral health conditions
• At least two years experience working in a position where you routinely coordinated with the criminal legal system in either King County, Pierce, or Snohomish (courts, defense attorneys, prosecution, probation, correctional institutions).
• Experience working in a position where you routinely coordinated with the criminal legal system.
• Knowledge of specific challenges, trauma responses, behavior and needs for people experiencing legal involvement, housing instability, economic insecurities, substance use disorder and mental health conditions compounded by discrimination and systemic oppression.
• Pass a security clearance and/or background check to secure access to the jails.
• Proficiency in the use of personal computers, with working knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel, database programs, Internet, cell phones, and Outlook, electronic health record.
• Ability to travel to various sites within Seattle-King County.

Desired:

• Bilingual/ bicultural/ individuals with diverse backgrounds, including people with lived experience with behavioral health and recovery, incarceration, houselessness, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA+ communities.
• Experience working in a position where you routinely coordinated medical, mental health, substance use, and other social service resources in King County for Medicaid-eligible adults.
• Experience supporting social services staff by providing technical, clinical, and analytical assistance, including tasks like onboarding new hires, conducting chart reviews, offering case consultations, and interpreting procedural guidelines

Work Environment Requirements

• Position is based in a secure jail setting with frequent walking, stair climbing, and navigating confined areas.
• Includes conducting cell-side visits through pass-through slots, often in noisy or low-privacy conditions.
• May require assisting individuals with mobility needs (e.g., pushing wheelchairs) and occasional lifting (up to 25 lbs.).
• Requires emotional resilience, sound judgment, and flexibility, with professionalism and compassion essential for success in a dynamic care environment. 
  

Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Application Process

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NEOGOV Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• A Cover Letter
• A Resume

(Please note: additional attachments will not be reviewed as part of the evaluation process if not outlined as a required application material as outlined above).

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County’s vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Catherine Fitzpatrick, HR Supervisor by clicking here.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Necessary Special Requirements

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of Basic Life Support (BLS) / CPR.
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation and Pre-Employment Physical, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en. 
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CLA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department. 
• If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Additional Information 
 Public Health - Jail Health Services follows and maintains federal and state requirements standards including, but not limited to, Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards which apply to all public and private institutions that house adult or juvenile offenders. PREA standards preclude the department from hiring or promoting anyone who has engaged in, or been convicted of any conduct which would violate PREA standards related to sexual assault including:

• Sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution.
• Convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; or,
• Has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described above.

Additionally, PREA standards require that the department consider any incidents of sexual harassment involving an inmate or detainee in determining whether or not to hire or promote anyone.
  
 The above is in compliance with PREA and its implementing regulations, 28 C.F.R. Part 115, Subpart A, Section 115.17, Hiring and Promotion Decisions.

Union Membership

This position is represented by PROTEC 17 Labor Union. 

Contact

For questions about the application process contact the Recruiter.