Corrections Lieutenant

Skagit County; Mount Vernon (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Skagit County is seeking a Corrections Lieutenant to lead the Sheriff’s Office operations within an assigned area. You will supervise staff, manage budgets, and coordinate strategic plans while ensuring compliance with policies and laws.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED and 2 years as a Corrections Sergeant, with college coursework in corrections or management being highly desired. Strong leadership and incident command skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or GED and 2 years of Corrections Sergeant experience.
• College coursework in corrections, law enforcement, management is highly desired.
• Knowledge of budgets, contracts, and grants relevant to operations.

Responsibilities

• Plans, coordinates and supervises operations within assigned areas.
• Directs activities within budget and guides strategic plans.
• Assists in budget preparation and monitors expenditures for efficiency.
• Responds to emergencies and participates in incident command as needed.
• Leads staff development, evaluations, and disciplinary actions when required.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Budget management

Strategic planning

Incident command

Policy compliance

Staff development

Education

High school diploma or GED

2 years as Sheriff’s Office Corrections Sergeant

Job description

The Corrections Lieutenant serves as the commander of an assigned area within the Sheriff’s Office, providing leadership and direction for all assigned operations. He/she supervises and directs all staff in assigned areas, including Sergeants, Corrections Deputies, support personnel and contractors. The Corrections Lieutenant assists the Chief Corrections Deputy in planning, coordinating, directing and controlling activities and operations of the Corrections Division within the Sheriff’s Office. He/she represents Skagit County by maintaining a professional approach and demeanor in all activities. He/she ensures compliance with Sheriff’s Office and County policies and procedures, collective bargaining agreements, case law, contracts, and other legal requirements. The Corrections Lieutenant manages programs and staff in a manner that ensures that expenditures remain within the approved budget. He/she develops relationships with staff, other departments, and individuals outside county government that encourages participation, teamwork, effective relationships and use of resources. The Corrections Lieutenant exercises independent judgment and discretion. He/she assesses and responds appropriately to emergency situations. The Corrections Lieutenant participates as a member of a team in the incident command structure.

Depending upon assignment, the incumbent may perform some or all of the following duties, which are a representative sample of the level of work appropriate to this position.

Essential Job Duties:

Plans, coordinates, and supervises all operations within assigned areas of the Sheriff’s Office. Directs activities within approved budget and available personnel and in compliance with guidelines, policies, procedures, and regulations. Develops recommendations and implements strategic short and long range plans, programs, goals, and objectives for assigned areas. Facilitates and coordinates cooperative planning and provision of services in conjunction with other divisions, departments, contractors, and entities. Reviews and updates planning recommendations. Establishes effective communication and promotes teamwork within assigned areas, Sheriff’s Office, other Skagit County Departments, and the community at large. Identifies trends and problems hindering progress, and implements recommendations for problem resolution with staff and higher level management.

Assists in the preparation and justification of the budget for an assigned area. Monitors and maintains expenditures within an approved budget. Recommends and implements cost-effective measures to increase efficiency and effectiveness and uses resources and technology effectively to increase productivity. Assists in the development of Requests for Proposals, Requests for Qualifications, and contracts for outside services. Negotiates contracts for services between the Sheriff’s Office and outside entities or consultants as assigned. Secures, monitors, and assures compliance with grants, contracts, and other funding sources.

Participates in the selection process for new employees, specialty assignments, and subordinate promotions. Determines needs for employee training to meet changing system, legal, or program demands. Assigns, supervises, and evaluates, work consistent with assigned job descriptions. Conducts and/or reviews performance evaluations to guide the development of employees and provides a record of performance, ensures consistent evaluations and regular feedback throughout assigned areas. Facilitates the continued professional development of all staff and incorporates sound managerial practices when directly or indirectly supervising staff. Reviews decisions, work products and timesheet records as needed to ensure accuracy and compliance with applicable laws, contracts, regulations, and policies.

Interprets and applies collective bargaining agreements, Civil Service rules, policies, and applicable rules and regulations. Makes recommendations regarding employment actions. Initiates, documents, and implements disciplinary actions as assigned. Responds to or provides input on disciplinary actions and grievances as assigned. Participates in labor negotiation preparations.

Assists in reviewing, interpreting, and preparing data to analyze and make recommendations about which programs and/or major project proposals should be initiated, modified, or removed. Assists updating or drafting policies, procedures, and tasks. Reviews decisions made by subordinates to ensure legal requirements are met.

Responds to or supervises the resolution of sensitive and complex inquiries, complaints, emergencies, or major incidents with an assigned area and requests for information from the public and other departments, providing information in a courteous manner while maintaining appropriate levels of confidentiality. Formulates recommendations, anticipating possible ramifications, and communicates through the appropriate chain of command.

Conducts review hearings for inmates appealing disciplinary sanctions occurring while incarcerated. Ensures that correct and legal procedures are followed, that appropriate documentation occurs, and that any disciplinary action taken is legal and reasonable. Responds to inmate requests and inmate grievances directed to the Corrections Lieutenant or routes them to the appropriate respondent.

Assumes command of an incident scene as necessary for effective command control in furtherance of Sheriff’s Office public safety and corrections mission as assigned. Assesses and responds appropriately to emergency situations. Participates as a member of a team in any incident command structure.

Exemplifies public accountability and a positive public service approach with assigned staff. Represents Skagit County as a spokesperson at public meetings, seminars, conferences, and training sessions as assigned. Testifies in court.

Additional Job Duties:

The Corrections Lieutenant may work on special projects that may be outside of the normal area of assignment and he/she backs up other Sheriff’s Office managerial staff as directed.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• The Corrections Lieutenant position requires a high school diploma or GED AND2 years of experience as a Skagit County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Sergeant.
• College level coursework in corrections, law enforcement, law and justice, social science, or management is highly desired.

Requires Knowledge Required:

• The Corrections Lieutenant position requires knowledge of modern correctional principals, methods, techniques and legal terminology: federal, state, and local laws; court decisions governing the operation of correctional facilities; rules, regulations, policies, procedures and special orders as they pertain to operations; local court operations and rules; community and state human resource services and techniques to effectively access those services.
• Organizational dynamics and principles and practices of management and supervision, including planning, staffing, selection, training, coaching, directing, coordinating, and evaluating. Principles and techniques to effectively gain consensus of diverse groups and agencies within assigned areas.
• Safety and security hazards, precautions, standards, policies, and procedures pertinent to the area of assignment, including the handling of hazardous and dangerous materials, firearms, ammunition, or other less lethal management tools unique to law enforcement and corrections. First aid principles and skills and their application as well as basic indicators of mental health and chemical dependency issues.
• Fiscal management including budget preparation, grant administration, service and intergovernmental contract negotiation and administration, expenditure control and record keeping.
• Computer operation and a variety of software including word processing, spreadsheets, database, and other applications specific to the area of assignment.

Requires the Ability to:

• Plan, prioritize, coordinate, organize, and evaluate staffing and services. Train, direct and coach staff. Administer and change plans, policies, and work programs.
• Read, understand, interpret, analyze, and provide direction to ensure appropriate application of policies, procedures, legal requirements, regulations, contracts, and court documents.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively. Calmly determine the appropriate course of action to be taken in urgent and emergency situations. Apply sound judgment and problem-solving techniques to make reasoned, timely, and consistent decisions and to facilitate the effective resolution of problems, grievances, and complaints.
• Use tact, discretion, respect, persuasion, diplomacy, and courtesy to gain the cooperation of others and to establish and maintain effective teams and working relationships and rapport with public officials, representatives of other entities, department heads, co-workers, employees, and diverse members of the public.
• Listen attentively and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals and groups in clear, concise language appropriate for the purpose and parties addressed, including preparing and making public presentations which can be understood by non-technical listeners and preparing and/or directing preparation of comprehensive written reports, materials, and correspondence.
• Provide leadership and maintain a high level of personal and professional integrity and honesty. Promote the commitment of the County to provide outstanding public, intra-and inter-departmental customer service.
• Promote staff and team development and high performance by assuring regular, effective, and consistent feedback and evaluation.
• Assure that absolute confidentiality is maintained as required and sensitive information is handled appropriately.
• Work effectively in a distracting multi-task environment; take appropriate initiative and effectively delegate responsibility and authority. Work independently and cooperatively as a member of a team.
• Estimate and analyze cost and effectiveness of programs. Compile, monitor and interpret fiscal and statistical information.
• Develop ways to identify, improve and promote efficient systems and processes.
• Maintain current knowledge for assigned areas and adapt to new technologies, keeping personal and team technical skills up-to-date and using technology to increase productivity. Maintain all issued equipment in proper working order.

Special Requirements

Background check must meet County criteria for law enforcement employees.

Must:

Have successfully completed the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) Corrections Officer Academy and First-Line Supervisor Academy, or similar training in another state and accepted by the WSCJTC as meeting this requirement.

Within one year of appointment, obtain WSCJTC Middle Management Certification as specified in WAC 139-25-110, and maintain throughout employment.

Maintain throughout employment required qualifications or certifications, such as First Aid, CPR, Defensive Tactics, Firearm, electronic control devices and bloodborne/airborne pathogens.

Have a driving record that meets County and Sheriff’s Office standards and possess a valid Washington State driver’s license at time of hire and through employment.

Pass civil service job related examinations and requirements.

Be a citizen of the United States.

Undergo annual testing for Tuberculosis.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a maximum, medium, and minimum security jail or other assigned facilities such as the courthouse, courtrooms, and alternative programs office. Responds to emergency calls 24 hours per day as directed. The Corrections Lieutenant faces the possibility of exposure to weapons, physical assault, and hostile and offensive language from inmates and the public. He/she sits or stands for long periods of time. May occasionally lift, carry and/or move items or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds and persons, with assistance. He/she must be able to use radio communications systems. He/she must be able to hear and to be heard over loud noises. The Corrections Lieutenant moves throughout County facilities and frequently drives a motor vehicle to perform duties in the field, at multiple sites, and travel out of County. During emergency situations, the Corrections Lieutenant may be required to apply physical techniques, including the use of various offensive and defensive weapons such as firearms, electronic control devices and chemical agents to restrain, subdue, and control violent inmates, protect and maintain life and safety, prevent criminal activity, and in self-defense or combat situations. He/she applies restraining devices to control inmate’s behavior or movement, such as handcuffs, leg irons, restraint chair, and waist chains. There is the possibility of exposure to body fluids, bloodborne and airborne pathogens and environmental and chemical allergens standard to the area of assignment. Uses appropriate safety and other equipment and wears personal protective equipment as required, including but not limited to protective masks, gloves, safety glasses, barrier gowns, ballistics vest, and breathing devices. Follows established work safety policies, practices and procedures.

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The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.

Skagit County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

It is the policy of Skagit County to follow all federal and state laws to ensure non-discrimination with regard to race, color religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status and/or physical or mental disability in its employment practices.

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice: Individuals, who need an ADA accommodation to complete the application, test or interview process, please call: [phone].