Correctional Administrator, Department of Corrections
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: WX61
Class Code: 9645
Established: 06/26/1980
Revised: 09/17/1996
Title Changed: --
Definition
Under general direction as a sworn peace officer, either (1) in a State adult correctional institution to plan, organize, and direct a major institution program division, or major organizational unit; or (2) as a principal assistant to a headquarters administrator, to perform technical or supervisory duties of comparable level; and to do other related work.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Positions in this class are assigned:
a. As the administrative head of a large institution program division, or of a major organizational unit such as a reception guidance center, incumbents are assigned primary custodial responsibility for their respective program division, which will also include other disciplines such as institutionwide classification and treatment, inmate appeal programs, education, camps, or business management.
b. As a principal assistant to a headquarters administrator, incumbents have statewide responsibility for planning,
organizing, and analyzing a major program in such areas as program development and evaluation, inmate classification, inmate appeals, policy services, or specialized training for Department of Corrections' employees.
Each individual in this class is expected to be able to perform in any position in this class as part of the Department of Corrections' Management Development Program. During his/her tenure in this class, each incumbent will be expected to perform in any institutional position.
The next higher position of Chief Deputy Warden (C.E.A. 2) has direct line management responsibility over all institutional programs and staff and provides leadership in program and policy formulation, implementation, and administration under the direction of the Warden.
Typical Tasks
In an institution, as the administrative head of a large institution program division or organizational unit having primary custodial responsibility for a major area; plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates a correctional program consisting of custody and other program areas such as classification, appeals, business management, academic and vocational education, religious guidance, or library services, and coordinates these activities with other institutional programs; directs the preparation and maintenance of fiscal records, budget estimates, budgetary control system, and personnel records and payroll; directs the supply and warehousing operations, food preparation and service, maintenance operation, repair, construction of physical plant, equipment repair and replacement, clothing issue and replacement and laundry operation; supervises, trains, and evaluates the work of staff engaged in these activities and, when appropriate, takes or recommends action with respect to their work performance; resolves difficult administrative problems in planning and directing work of the staff; as a member of the institution's classification and disciplinary committees, assumes major responsibility for evaluating and determining the proper classification, individual program, and disciplinary action for each inmate; serves as a member of the institution's executive staff; as assigned, acts in the absence of the Warden or Chief Deputy Warden; as assigned, participates in and supervises developmental projects.
In headquarters, as a principal assistant to a headquarters administrator, has statewide responsibility for a major departmentwide program in such areas as program development and evaluation, specialized employee training, inmate classification, inmate appeals, and policy services. In a supervisory capacity, the incumbent plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates a statewide program of major significance; provides leadership, consults with and advises institution administration and other interested individuals and groups in his/her specific areas of responsibility; ensures assigned program areas are consistent with law, Director's rules, policies, and procedures; prepares rules and regulations; acts in the absence of a headquarters administrator; dictates correspondence and prepares reports.
Be able to respond to any part of an institution to assume responsibility for observing and directing the response of staff to emergency situations and crises that could involve combative situations requiring the use of lethal force. In such emergency situations, may be required to disarm, subdue, and apply restraints to an inmate; run to the scene of a disturbance or emergency; run up or down stairs; defend self against an inmate armed with a weapon; prevent escapes and injury by inmates or parolees to themselves, employees and to property, and fire weapons in combat/emergency situations.
Minimum Qualifications
Either I
Two years of experience in the California Department of Corrections performing duties in a class comparable in level of responsibility to Facility Captain, Correctional Institution; Correctional Captain; Correctional Business Manager II, Department of Corrections; or Correctional Business Manager I, Department of Corrections. (Equivalent to college graduation may be substituted for one year of the required experience.) or
Three years of experience in the California Department of Corrections performing duties in a class comparable in level of responsibility to Staff Services Manager II; Business Manager II; Correctional Counselor III; or Parole Agent III, Adult Parole. (Equivalent to college graduation may be substituted for one year of the required experience.)
Or II
Experience: Two years of broad administrative or supervisory experience in correctional administration for adults, with responsibility for managing a correctional facility or a major program such as custody and casework in a capacity comparable to Facility Captain, Correctional Institution, or business services in a capacity comparable to Correctional Business Manager II, Department of Corrections. and
Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for two years of the required education on the basis of one year of experience for one year of education.)
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Modern principles and practices in correctional administration and criminology, including the principles and procedures of inmate classification, assignment, and transfer; principles and applications of effective budget preparation and control, personnel management and supervision, public administration, and business management of a large organization in an institution setting; purposes, activities, regulations, and functions of the California Department of Corrections and of the Board of Prison Terms; problems involved and methods used in the custody, control, and adjustment of antisocial performance; job requirements for institutional programs of education, library, group activities, institutional warehousing, food service, plant maintenance, and procurement; California laws pertaining to prisons and parole; principles and practices of State capital outlay procedures; building construction, specifications, blueprints, and materials; principles of effective supervision; supervisory responsibilities under the Ralph C. Dills Act; a supervisor's role in promoting equal opportunity in hiring, development, and promotion of employees and for maintaining a work environment which is free of discrimination and harassment.
Ability to: Plan, organize, direct, evaluate, and coordinate a large multidisciplinary program, apply effective principles of budget preparation and control, personnel management, business management, public administration, and correctional administration; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with officials and staff members, public agencies, and interested community and professional groups; use and apply effectively the required technical knowledge; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; supervise, train, and motivate staff to achieve maximum effectiveness; analyze data and adopt an effective course of action; communicate both verbally and in writing so instructions can be clearly understood and carried out in emergency situations; plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the work of employees; assess the training needs of employees; develop staff; understand and fulfill supervisory responsibilities under the Ralph C. Dills act; effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment which is free of discrimination and harassment.
Special Personal Characteristics
Demonstrated leadership and program planning ability; emotional maturity and stability; sympathetic and objective understanding of persons in custody; satisfactory record as a law-abiding citizen; tact, good personal and social adjustment for correctional work; neat personal appearance; courage; alertness; willingness to work day, evening, or night shifts, weekends, and holidays, and to report for duty at any time emergencies arise.
Special Physical Characteristics
Sound mental and emotional condition; freedom from any physical or mental condition that would interfere with the full performance of the essential functions of the job of a Correctional Administrator.
Special Requirement
Under the provisions of Penal Code Section 832, successful completion of a training course in laws of arrest, search and seizure, and in firearms and chemical agents is a requirement for permanent status in this class.
Government Code 1029 provides that persons convicted of a felony are disqualified from employment as peace officers. Such persons are not eligible to compete for, or be appointed to, positions in this class.
Government Code 1029.1 requires that a thorough background investigation be completed prior to appointment date. Persons unsuccessful in the investigation cannot be appointed as a peace officer.
Government Code 1031(c) provides that a candidate for a peace officer position be fingerprinted for search of local, State, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.
Government Code 1031(f) provides that any physical and psychological suitability examinations administered be completed prior to appointment date. Persons who are not successful in these examinations cannot be appointed as a peace officer.
Any person prohibited by State or Federal law from possessing, using, or having in his/her custody or control any firearm, firearm device, or other weapon or device authorized for use by the California Department of Corrections is not eligible to compete for, be appointed to, or continue employment in this classification.
Citizenship Requirement
Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031(a), in order to be appointed to a peace officer position a person must be either a United States citizen or be a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for United States citizenship. Any permanent resident alien who is employed as a peace officer shall be disqualified from holding that position if his/her application for citizenship is denied.
Drug Testing Requirement
Applicants for positions in this class are required to pass a drug screening test. (The drug screening test will be waived for employees who are currently in a designated "Sensitive" class for which drug testing is required under State Personnel Board Rule
213. )
