Warden - Northampton County Jail

Overview

The Warden role at Northampton County Jail is responsible for overseeing all operations, administration, and maintenance activities within the penal facility. This includes managing internal prison services, coordinating subordinate staff efforts, and ensuring efficient and effective correctional operations.

Reporting and Supervision

This position reports directly to the Director of Corrections and supervises all subordinate staff classifications in the Department of Corrections.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and implement strategies for optimal use of available resources such as funds, personnel, equipment, and materials.
• Provide guidance and recommendations about prison goals, programs, policies, and operational procedures.
• Develop and modify procedures based on recommendations and discuss specific needs with lower-level supervisors.
• Identify requirements such as budget, staffing, and materials for new or updated programs and prepare justification reports and technical documents.
• Assign and oversee work through subordinate supervisors and assist with technical and administrative matters impacting the institution.
• Review and analyze work programs, budgets, ordinances, legal rulings, and their impact on operations and suggest appropriate responses.
• Coordinate legal matters with County and judicial personnel.
• Manage physical, financial, and human resources effectively.
• Ensure compliance with personnel policies, collective bargaining agreements, and budget management.
• Conduct meetings with management and staff, inspect operations, and review performance reports to maintain control over the facility.
• Negotiate and oversee service contracts related to facility operations and programs.
• Maintain records pertaining to inmate care, rehabilitation activities, employment, finance, and statistics.
• Promote development and management of inmate treatment and rehabilitation services to prepare inmates for productive community reintegration.
• Serve as liaison with various County offices and external agencies, providing information and assistance as needed.
• Advocate for prison-related policies and coordinate with higher management to align prison activities with broader County services.
• Attend administrative, legislative, professional, and civic meetings representing the Department of Corrections.

Additional Notes

Not all duties are exhaustive; some minor related tasks may be performed. Duties listed represent typical functions and responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Social Services, Public Administration, or related field; or equivalent full-time progressive professional experience in Corrections or institutional management.
• A minimum of twelve years professional experience in Corrections, institutional management, criminal justice, or public administration with at least ten years in Corrections and six years in a full-time supervisory role.
• Successful completion of criminal history check, psychological examination, and urine drug screening post-offer.
• Compliance with Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) including regular criminal background and child abuse clearances every three years.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive understanding of public administration principles in institutional management.
• Familiarity with correctional goals, operational methods, and program management.
• Knowledge of prison rehabilitation programs such as education, substance abuse treatment, job training, and personal adjustment.
• Understanding of criminal justice structures, rules, and their impacts on prison operations.
• Effective supervisory skills to direct diverse professional and technical staff.
• Strong interpersonal skills to maintain relationships with various officials, employees, inmates, and the public.
• Excellent communication abilities, both verbal and written, to convey policies and administrative topics.

Tools and Equipment Used

Telephone, cell phone, personal computer, calculator, radio, copier, fax, weapons including side-handle baton and handcuffs, pager, and first-aid supplies.

Physical Demands

Physical requirements necessary to perform the duties described (details omitted).