Deputy Director Department of Corrections 2026-01519

State of Wyoming; Cheyenne (WY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid vacation, sick leave, FMLA, and U

Holidays

Retirement - Pension and 457B plans

Flexible schedules

Meaningful work

Job summary

Wyoming Department of Corrections seeks a strategic Deputy Director to lead day‑to‑day operations and partner with the Director and Executive Leadership to implement the agency’s goals. This at‑will role oversees three divisions and supports the Director in the Wyoming Legislature and with key stakeholders.

The ideal candidate balances operational needs with community safety and large, complex initiatives, driving a culture of innovation, accountability, and growth across the agency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice or related field; graduate degree in corrections/public administration/business/law preferred.
• 10–12 years of progressive work experience in criminal justice/Human Services with minimum 7 years supervisory experience.
• Thorough knowledge of adult correctional organizations, government, policymaking, budgeting, leadership principles, staff development, and long‑term planning.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the agency's three divisions: Support Services, Field Services, and Prison Operations; coordinate with division administrators and upper-level managers.
• Lead and facilitate regular leadership/management meetings; communicate findings and ideas across the organization.
• Guide department-wide initiatives in staff development, research, policy, long-term planning, and outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Policy development

Management

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice or related field

Graduate degree in corrections/public administration/business/law

Job description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Wyoming Department of Corrections (WDOC) is seeking a strategic leader to serve as the Deputy Director. Reporting directly to the Agency Director, this executive-level role provides day-to-day oversight of the Agency’s operations. The Deputy Director also works closely with the Director and Executive Leadership team to ensure the implementation of the Director’s goals and vision for the Agency.

Description And Functions GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Wyoming Department of Corrections (WDOC) is seeking a strategic leader to serve as the Deputy Director. Reporting directly to the Agency Director, this executive-level role provides day-to-day oversight of the Agency’s operations. The Deputy Director also works closely with the Director and Executive Leadership team to ensure the implementation of the Director’s goals and vision for the Agency. The Deputy Director has overall responsibility for overseeing the department's three (3) divisions: Support Services, Field Services, and Prison Operations. This includes assisting with coordinating the activities and efforts of the division administrators and upper-level managers; ensuring the divisions work together to meet the day-to-day mission as well as implementing the Agency’s priorities; and supporting the Director with the Wyoming Legislature and other internal and external stakeholders. Provide leadership and oversight in the absence of the Director. The ideal candidate will be a proven change agent capable of balancing operational needs, community safety and large, complex initiatives. The Deputy Director works with the Director to create a culture of innovation, accountability and growth. This position is an at‑will position and serves at the discretion of the Director of DOC.

Working for the State of Wyoming offers more than a paycheck. Our total compensation package includes:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, FMLA, and holidays
• Retirement - Pension and 457B plans that help you build a secure future
• Flexible schedules and work-life balance options
• Meaningful work that makes a difference for Wyoming communities

Human Resources Contact: Steve Stark [e-mail] 307-777-3436

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ensure the divisions are meeting day-to-day operational needs as well as working toward the agency performance measures, including that the mission is being carried out and that staff concerns and issues are being focused on, in order to fulfill the agency mission.
• Facilitate leadership and management regular meetings; consistently and regularly speaking with managers and staff and conveying both findings and ideas to the division administrators and upper-level managers.
• General oversight of and ensuring department wide initiatives in the areas of staff enhancement, research, policy development, long‑term strategic planning and outcomes results are meeting the desired intent and goals.
• Assist with the management and coordination of large department-wide initiatives, including attending staff meetings throughout the state to seek their input and insights: legislative efforts; multiple agency efforts, to include participation in governor‑initiated policy teams; specific initiatives to coordinate work with stakeholders such as reentry efforts; parole enhancement; or major program focuses. These groups can include the legal community, law enforcement, human services, victim advocates, and general citizens.
• Serve as acting director in the Director's absence.

Qualifications

PREFERENCES:

• Preference will be given to a candidate with the following qualifications: Bachelor's degree in criminal justice or related field. Additionally, a graduate degree in corrections, public administration, business or law. 10 to 12 years of progressive work experience in the criminal justice/ Human Services field, with a minimum of 7 years of supervisory experience. Thorough knowledge of adult correctional organizations, state and federal government, policymaking, legislative processes, legal system, budgeting, leadership principles and practice, interpersonal relations, staff development, and long‑term planning and outcomes development.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of providing effective supervision, leadership, and direction to assigned staff.
• Knowledge of developing, implementing, and monitoring budgets.
• Knowledge of developing and implementing effective policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships.
• Knowledge of communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local relationships that impact the operations of a correctional facility and probation and parole.
• Knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations of the State prison system and probation and parole.
• Knowledge of advanced leadership and how to manage teams.

Minimum Qualifications

None - See "Preferences"

Physical Working Conditions

• Candidates must successfully pass a background/reference check, medical, urinalysis drug screen, and other preemployment testing before the appointment.
• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform work; however, there may be some walking, standing, bending, lifting and carrying light items, driving an automobile, etc.
• Exposure to inside and outside environmental conditions.
• Lifting/grasping up to 20 pounds without assistance on an occasional to regular basis.
• Walking on cement floors on an occasional to regular basis.
• Stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching on an occasional basis.
• Reaching on a regular basis.
• Typing/Repetitive motion on a frequent basis.
• Talking/hearing on a frequent basis.
• Seeing: the visual ability to perform an activity such as analyzing data and figures, viewing a computer terminal, and extensive reading.
• Travel will be required.

Notes

• FLSA: Exempt
• This position is an at‑will position and serves at the discretion of the Director of DOC.
• The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities. No notice of eligibility will be sent to applicants who meet the minimum qualifications.
• The Wyoming Department of Corrections is a Drug-Free Workplace. All staff is subject to drug testing while employed by the WDOC.
• The Wyoming Department of Corrections is a Tobacco-Free Workplace and prohibits the taking, carrying, possessing, or introducing of smoking materials, smokeless tobacco, or tobacco substitutes on or into WDOC facilities and grounds.
• The Wyoming Department of Correction is in compliance with the Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) of 2003. It is the policy and practice of WDOC to protect inmates/offenders from personal abuse, corporal punishment, personal injury, disease, property damage and harassment, and the elimination of prison rape.
• Successful Applicants for employment must pass a background/reference check, medical evaluation, and drug test prior to appointment.
• WDOC offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, paid vacations and sick leave, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement program, Wyoming State Retirement, 457 deferred compensation program, and longevity pay.

Employees Enjoy

• Comprehensive health coverage – medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your family
• Voluntary Benefits – including life insurance for you and family members, ambulance, pet insurance, short/long-term disability, flex spending and health savings accounts
• Multiple retirement options – including the Wyoming Retirement System and a 457B account, helping you plan for long‑term financial security
• Generous paid leave and flexible schedules – vacation, sick leave, paid FMLA and 9 paid holidays each year
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility – for those with qualifying student loans
• Training and professional development – to support your career growth and advancement
• Employee Assistance Program – Includes paid short-term counseling, legal, financial and work-life benefits and select employee discounts
• Wellness Program – Earn paid time off and incentives by focusing on your personal health

Know your full value.

Your paycheck is only part of the picture. The State of Wyoming offers a Total Compensation Calculator that shows the full value of your salary plus benefits, so you can clearly see what your complete compensation package looks like.

Explore your total compensation: https://compensationcalculator.wyo.gov/

WORKING FOR THE GREATEST STATE IN THE NATION - Wyoming offers a lifestyle you can’t find anywhere else — wide-open spaces, clean air, friendly communities, year-round recreation, and no state income tax.