CHIEF DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR, CORRECTIONAL PROGRAM, CEA

State of California; California (MO); On-site; USD 152,000 - 177,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation seeks a seasoned correctional executive to serve as Chief Deputy Warden at the Central California Women's Facility in Madera County. The CDW operates under the Warden, directing all institutional programs and staff, with the CDW acting as a primary operations chief.

This permanent, full-time role requires strong leadership, policy development, and collaboration with government partners. Final filing date is 10/22/2026.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in a correctional or government setting.
• Knowledge of California State Government organization and budgeting.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct multidisciplinary staff.
• Experience in policy development and program management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all institution programs and staff as operations chief.
• Directly supervise Correctional Administrators and key staff.
• Represent the Warden in policy meetings and decisions.
• Serve as hiring authority for centralized unit on rotation.

Job description

Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation

Chief Deputy Warden (CDW)

JC-534680

$13,660.00 - $15,820.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 10/22/2026

Location: Central California Women's Facility in Madera County.

Telework: In Office

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Job Summary: The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is seeking an experienced correctional executive to serve as the Chief Deputy Warden at the Central California Women's Facility (CCWF). Under the Warden’s direction, the Chief Deputy Warden (CDW), in a State correctional institution for adults, acts as the operations chief over all institution programs and staff. The CDW plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates all institutional programs and employees through subordinate managers. The CDW directly supervises all Correctional Administrators, and other staff with key institution-wide roles. The CDW serves as a member of the Warden’s policy-setting executive staff; represents the Warden in policy and decision-making meetings within the institutions, the department, and with other agencies and organizations; acts as the Warden in his/her absence; as well as develops, interprets, and administers policies and procedures governing the operation of an institution.
In addition, under the DAI, Deputy Director Facility Operations, the CDW shall serve as the hiring authority for the Centralized Allegation Resolution Unit overseeing staff misconduct allegations investigated by the Allegation Investigation Unit on a one-year rotational basis.

Working Conditions

Work in a correctional environment with full-time responsibilities.

Department Information

Vision
We enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs.

Mission
To facilitate the successful reintegration of the individuals in our care back to their communities equipped with the tools to be drug-free, healthy, and employable members of society by providing education, treatment, rehabilitative, and restorative justice programs, all in a safe and humane environment.

Commitment
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) are committed to transforming the correctional landscape to create safer, more professional, and more fulfilling environments for our employees, the incarcerated population, and those supervised in our communities. Through systemwide improvements grounded in proven and emerging practices, we aim to strengthen rehabilitation, enhance workplace satisfaction, and support successful reentry into the community through our institutions, parole, and community partnerships. Our shared mission is to promote safety, wellness, and human dignity while fostering positive change for all those who live and work within our institutions and communities.

CDCR and CCHCS are committed to building an inclusive respectful workplace. We are determined to attract and hire candidates from all communities and empower employees from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences. We are proud to foster inclusion and drive collaborative efforts at all levels of the Department.

CDCR and CCHCS strive to collaborate with the community to enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs. Incumbents establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within the department, other governmental agencies, health care partners, and communities.

Special Requirements

Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you should include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

Candidates new to CDCR/CCHCS are required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan Fingerprinting, as well as a Tuberculosis test/evaluation prior to appointment, followed by department annual Tuberculosis testing/evaluation thereafter.

This advertisement may be used for other vacancies that occur during the life of this recruitment.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Knowledge of: Organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; personnel management; a manager's/supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Ability to: Plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures, and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislative and Executive Branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; prepare and review reports; effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Administrative experience in a managerial capacity at least equivalent to a Facility Captain, Correctional Institution, or a Parole Administrator I, Adult Parole, including broad, administrative, or program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.

Knowledge of principles, techniques, and trends in incarcerated individual classification; parole and correctional casework; methods used and problems involved in the supervision and rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals/supervised persons/releasees; laws pertaining to prisons, probation, and parole; organization of the California Department of Corrections; functions and procedures of State, county, and local law enforcement agencies; principles and techniques of personnel management and supervision; and principles of organization, public administration, and budgeting.

Shall create and promote an equitable and inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated and valued.

Additional benefit information can be found on the CalHR California State Civil Service. This webpage is intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base and length of appointment.

Peace Officer Requirements

This position is a peace officer position; therefore, applicants are subject to meeting all the below peace officer requirements.

Work Authorization Requirement: Pursuant to Government Code 1031(a): In the state of California, individuals seeking employment as public officers or employees declared by law to be peace officers must be legally authorized to work in the United States under Federal Law.

Felony Disqualification: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1029, persons convicted of a felony are disqualified from employment as peace officers except as provided under Welfare and Institutions Code, Division 2, Chapter 3, Article 8, Section 1179(b), or Division 2.5, Chapter 1, Article 4, Section 1772(b). Except as provided for by these statutes, persons convicted of a felony are not eligible to compete for, or be appointed to, positions in this class.

Firearm Conviction Disqualification: Anyone who is restricted for employment-related purposes from accessing, possessing, carrying, receiving, or having under his/her control a firearm or ammunition under all applicable State or Federal laws is ineligible for appointment to any position in this classification.

Age Limitation – minimum age for appointment:21 years.

Background Investigation: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1029.1, persons successful in peace officer examinations shall be required to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to appointment. Persons who have previously undergone a Department of Corrections background investigation may be required to undergo only a partial background investigation.

Medical Requirement: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031, persons appointed to a peace officer class shall undergo a medical examination to determine that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job safely and effectively.

Training Requirements: Under 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 classification.

Statement of Qualifications

An SOQ is a narrative discussion addressing specific statements, of which are aligned with the desirable qualifications of the position, that demonstrate the candidate's education, training, experience, and skills. The SOQ also serves as documentation of each candidate's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing.

Statement of Qualifications Examination Instructions: All interested applicants must submit a completed SOQ with their applications package.

• The SOQ must not be more than two (2) pages in length, should be single-spaced, and typed in 12-point Arial font.
• The SOQ prompts must be numbered and restated in their entirety in the same order as below. Your responses should provide detailed examples of your experience.
• Describe and provide examples of your ability to analyze complex problems, recommend and initiate effective courses of action and develop and implement policies and procedures as appropriate.
• Please describe your leadership style and provide a recent example of how you have demonstrated it.
• Describe how your job experience and background qualify you for the role of Chief Deputy Warden.

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free workplace. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.