Deputy Director of Institutions: Central Administration #DOC00201

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 206,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

The Commonwealth of VA Careers invites an experienced executive to serve as Deputy Director for Institutions. You will oversee statewide institutional operations for 38 facilities, guiding safety, security, performance, and rehabilitative outcomes.

As a member of the senior leadership team, you will drive strategic direction, collaborate with regional leaders, and ensure alignment with community supervision and agency priorities. Relocation may be considered for the right candidate.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of correctional operations, facility management, security practices, and institutional safety protocols.
• Demonstrated leadership in a large, complex correctional or governmental organization.
• Proven ability to lead large operational teams and oversee statewide operations.
• Strong understanding of modern correctional practices, policies, and professional standards.
• Experience in highly regulated public sector environments with strong accountability expectations.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills for stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to develop leadership teams and strengthen organizational performance.
• Ability to complete COI filings and mandatory trainings within required timelines.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for statewide institutional operations.
• Ensure safe, secure, and professionally operated correctional facilities across the Commonwealth.
• Lead and support regional leadership teams responsible for facility operations and performance.
• Advance correctional practices that strengthen safety, accountability, and rehabilitation outcomes.
• Strengthen leadership accountability, operational discipline, and professional standards across institutions.
• Implement agency strategic priorities and operational objectives across institutional operations.
• Promote alignment between institutional operations and community supervision to support reentry outcomes.
• Foster a culture of professionalism, ethical leadership, and respect for the correctional workforce.
• Collaborate with Deputy Directors and executive leadership to ensure cross-functional alignment.
• Identify opportunities to improve performance and organizational effectiveness.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Public safety

Staff development

Education

Advanced degree in Criminal Justice or Public Administration

Job description

Title: Deputy Director of Institutions: Central Administration #DOC00201

State Role Title: Security Manager IV

Hiring Range: $160,000.00 - $206,000.00

Pay Band: 8

Agency: Dept of Corr - Central Admin

Location: DOC Headquarters

Agency Website: www.vadoc.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) is seeking an experienced, principled, and results-driven executive leader to serve as Deputy Director for Institutions. This position provides an opportunity to lead complex correctional operations, strengthen organizational performance, and advance the Department's commitment to public safety, professionalism, and accountability.

The Virginia Department of Corrections is responsible for the custody and care of incarcerated individuals across the Commonwealth of Virginia and has achieved one of the lowest recidivism rates in the nation, at 17.6 percent.

As a member of the Director's senior leadership team, the Deputy Director for Institutions reports to the Chief Deputy Director and provides executive leadership and oversight for 38 correctional facilities and thousands of correctional professionals across Virginia. This position is responsible for ensuring safe, secure, and effectively managed institutions while advancing correctional practices that strengthen operational performance, accountability, and rehabilitative outcomes.

VADOC has entered a new era of leadership focused on ethical leadership, operational excellence, employee support, and organizational accountability. The successful candidate will be a strategic, disciplined, and collaborative leader capable of overseeing complex institutional operations, driving continuous improvement, and fostering a culture of integrity, professionalism, and accountability throughout the organization.

This is a rare opportunity for an experienced correctional executive to make a meaningful impact on institutional operations, employee engagement, organizational culture, and public safety throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Organizational Scope

• Oversight of 38 correctional facilities statewide
• Leadership of thousands of correctional professionals
• Custody and supervision of a large, incarcerated population across multiple security levels
• Institutional safety, security, and operational performance
• Implementation of correctional policies, standards, and operational practices
• Collaboration with community supervision partners to support successful reentry

The Deputy Director for Institutions serves as a key member of the Department’s executive leadership team, working in close partnership with fellow Deputy Directors responsible for:

• Community Corrections
• Health Services
• Reentry, Education, and Programs
• Administration
• Professional Standards

Together, these leaders collaborate to ensure a coordinated, statewide approach to public safety, operational excellence, staff support, and successful reentry outcomes across the Commonwealth.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for statewide institutional operations.
• Ensure safe, secure, and professionally operated correctional facilities across the Commonwealth.
• Lead and support regional leadership teams responsible for facility operations and performance.
• Advance modern correctional practices that strengthen safety, accountability, and rehabilitation outcomes.
• Strengthen leadership accountability, operational discipline, and professional standards across institutions.
• Implement agency strategic priorities and operational objectives across institutional operations.
• Promote operational alignment between institutional operations and community supervision to support successful reentry outcomes.
• Foster a culture of professionalism, ethical leadership, and respect for the correctional workforce.
• Collaborate closely with fellow Deputy Directors and executive leadership to ensure alignment across institutional operations, community supervision, health services, reentry initiatives, administrative functions, and professional standards.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational performance, organizational effectiveness, and leadership development across the system.

Minimum Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of correctional operations, including facility management, security practices, and institutional safety protocols.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a large and complex correctional, public safety, or governmental organization.
• Proven ability to lead large operational teams and oversee complex facilities or statewide operations.
• Strong understanding of modern correctional practices, policies, and professional standards.
• Experience operating in highly regulated public sector environments with strong accountability expectations.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex operational challenges and make sound strategic decisions.
• Experience developing leadership teams and strengthening organizational performance.
• Ability to complete the Virginia Ethics Council Conflict of Interest (COI) filing within two (2) business days of hire and annually thereafter, in accordance with the Code of Virginia § 2.2-3100.
• Ability to complete COI training within two (2) months of hire and every other year thereafter, as required by Code of Virginia § 2.2-3132.

Additional Considerations

• Advanced education in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Extensive senior leadership experience in institutional corrections or a comparable public safety environment.
• Considerable knowledge of VADOC operating policies and practices governing institutional operations.
• Experience leading large correctional systems or multi-facility institutional operations.
• Demonstrated experience advancing operational improvements and organizational culture within correctional environments.

Note: Position may be eligible for moving and relocation expenses, subject to all Commonwealth accounting and procurement requirements.

Special Instructions

If selected as a finalist with the VADOC, candidates can expect the following:

Background Investigation Requirements: All applicants are subject to a background investigation. Investigations may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI); local agency checks; employment verification; verification of education (relevant to employment); credit checks; and other checks based on the position.

Drug Testing Requirements: Applicants applying to a designated safety sensitive position are subject to a pre-employment drug screen. Marijuana use is prohibited for positions that require possession of a firearm or a Commercial Driver’s License in the performance of official duties such as Corrections Officers, Probation Officers, Tractor Trailer Drivers and others.

Application Requirements: Application and/or résumé for this position are only accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Electronic Recruitment System. All applications should be submitted by 11:55pm on the closing date for the position. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and/or résumés will not be accepted. The decision to interview an applicant is based solely on the information received for this position from the electronic application and/or résumé.

Layoff Preferences: Applicants who possess an Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Form) as issued under the Department of Human Resources Management (DHRM) Policy 1.30 Layoff (Commonwealth of VA employees only) MUST attach these forms when submitting their state application and/or résumé.

VADOC is an EEO employer and is committed to supporting workforce diversity, equitable opportunities and inclusivity. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.

VADOC values our Veterans and encourages all to apply and receive preference in the hiring process. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other nation service alumni are also encouraged to apply. Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program - Virginia Department of Veterans Services.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: [phone]

Email: EMAILED APPLICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.