Programs Associate Warden-Rutherford Correctional Center

State of North Carolina; Spindale (NC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Retirement plans

Supplemental benefits

Paid time off (vacation/sick/community

Paid Parental Leave

Job summary

The State of North Carolina is seeking a Correctional Assistant Superintendent for Program I at Rutherford Correctional Center in Spindale, NC. This leadership role oversees all program services, ensuring offender growth and positive behavior while aligning with departmental standards.

The position serves as Associate Warden when the Warden is absent and requires 8am-5pm hours with 24/7 availability. Reporting to the facility Warden, you will coordinate program development, staff development,

Qualifications

• Experience applying departmental policies and procedures, with working knowledge of correctional programs and offender rehabilitation strategies.
• Experience interpreting assessment results and psychological factors related to offender behavior, classification, and program needs.
• Experience synthesizing data and applying knowledge of complex correctional operations to make accurate, defensible offender classification and program decisions.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversee a wide range of facility programs including classification, chaplaincy, recreation, transitional services, work assignments, prison life initiatives, healthcare, mental health services, and educational opportunities.
• Supervise direct and indirect staff, manage recruitment and performance processes, coordinate resources, and ensure compliance with departmental manuals and policies.
• Direct offender classification processes, ensuring timely, accurate, policy-compliant decisions related to custody levels, transfers, and special reviews.
• Prepare reports, respond to inquiries from offenders, families, attorneys, agencies, and the public; coordinate staff communication and budget planning.

Skills

Correctional programs

Offender rehabilitation

Policy interpretation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Job description

Agency Adult Correction Division COO - Operations Job Classification Title Correctional Assistant Superintendent for Program I (NS)

Position Number 60073718 Grade NC13

About Us

The NC Department of Adult Correction is one of the largest state agencies with more than 14,000 employees. It is responsible for safeguarding and preserving lives and property through prevention, protection, and preparation as well as the care, custody, and supervision of all adults sentenced for violating North Carolina laws. This department includes state prisons with custody, healthcare, and facility operations staff as well as probation/parole officers who supervised sentenced people in the community. Other divisions include Administration, Health Services, Rehabilitation & Reentry, Special Operations and the Post-Release Supervision & Parole Commission. We have a mission that matters!

Description of Work

This position is located at Rutherford Correctional Center located in Spindale, N.C. (Rutherford County), which is a 236-bed minimum custody facility that employs approximately 49 staff. The Correctional Assistant Superintendent for Program I serves as a key member of the facility’s leadership team and oversees all program services within a small correctional facility housing fewer than 300 minimum custody offenders. This position provides comprehensive direction and coordination in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating corrective, rehabilitative, and therapeutic programs that support offender growth and positive behavior. The role ensures staff development, policy compliance, program integrity, and alignment with departmental standards while also assisting with overall facility management, administrative processes, communication, and strategic planning. The position additionally serves as the Associate Warden during the Warden’s absence and rotates as Officer in Charge and Duty Officer. Established working hours of Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm and must be available 24/7 to meet facility needs. This position reports to the facility Warden.

• The Correctional Assistant Superintendent for Program I provides leadership and oversight for a wide range of facility programs including classification, chaplaincy, recreation, transitional services, work assignments, prison life initiatives, healthcare, mental health services, evidence-based interventions, and educational opportunities.
• The position supervises both direct and indirect staff, manages recruitment and performance processes, coordinates resources, ensures compliance with all departmental manuals and policies, and evaluates program effectiveness.
• This role maintains structured offender schedules, oversees daily and special activities, ensures proper implementation of programming and evidence-based practices, and conducts audits and inspections to maintain operational standards.
• In addition to overseeing programming, the position directs offender classification processes, ensuring timely, accurate, and policy compliant decisions related to custody levels, transfers, restrictions, and special reviews.
• The role supports facility operations by preparing reports, responding to inquiries from offenders, families, attorneys, agencies, and the public, coordinating communication among staff, resolving program related concerns, and contributing to budget planning.
• The position serves as a resource to internal and external stakeholders and consistently maintains professionalism, sound judgment, and effective communication to support safe, compliant, and productive facility operations.
• The position additionally serves as the Associate Warden during the Warden’s absence and rotates as Officer in Charge and Duty Officer.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Salary Range: $50,088-$87,654

Salary Grade: NC13

Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

• Demonstrated experience applying departmental policies and procedures, with working knowledge of correctional programs and offender rehabilitation strategies.
• Demonstrated experience in interpreting assessment results and psychological factors related to offender behavior, classification, and program needs.
• Demonstrated experience in synthesizing data and applying knowledge of complex correctional operations to make accurate, defensible offender classification and program decisions.

This job posting will close at 11:59 pm, the night before the end date listed above.

Necessary Special Qualifications

• MUST be eligible for certification by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission.
• To be considered for a Correctional Associate Warden position, ALL applicants must: Meet Criminal Justice Standards requirements (12 NCAC 09G .0302) Pass a criminal background check Produce a negative drug screening result Successfully complete medical and psychological evaluations Possess a valid driver's license

State Benefits Information

• Health Insurance options
• Retirement Plans NCFlex
• Supplemental Benefits
• Paid Vacation, Sick, and Community Service Leave
• Paid Parental Leave

About the Division of Institutions

The Division of Institutions manages the daily operations of all state-operated prison facilities across North Carolina. Facilities are categorized by custody levels (minimum, medium, close) and house individuals serving sentences for felony convictions. The division provides safety, security, and rehabilitative services through trained custody staff, program facilitators, and administrative personnel.

Education Equivalency Verification

The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications. Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

PREA Requirement

The NCDAC must adhere to the US Department of Justice Final Rule on the 'National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape.'

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), NCDAC is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an 'equivalent combination of education and experience.' If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details. Bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of supervisory or management level experience in correctional programs; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

All job postings close at 11:59pm the night before the End Date on the posting.