CAPTAIN

Dauphin County Pennsylvania

$101K — $108K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalent; additional accredited corrections training required.
  • Minimum of four years of correctional experience, with two years in a supervisory role.
  • Accreditation in First Aid, CPR, and AED expected post-hire.
  • Knowledge of modern correctional practices and local/region regulations.
  • Proficiency in operating office equipment and managing correctional procedures.

Responsibilities

  • Directs junior personnel during routine and extraordinary tasks for security.
  • Writes and submits daily roster reports to Administration.
  • Conducts inspections and ensures officer readiness before deployment.
  • Counsels and recommends training for underperforming staff.
  • Oversees the movement and observation of inmates, reporting any changes to professional staff.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive training programs for continued professional development.
  • Opportunity for promotional advancement within the correctional department.
  • Structured working environment with clearly defined responsibilities.
  • Engagement in crisis management planning and emergency response.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Starting Rate: $48.95/hr - $108,179 annually

This job position is responsible for performing supervisory work in correctional security, and associated services, at the Dauphin County Prison. An employee in this position directs junior personnel in performance of all routine and extraordinary tasks ensuring the safety and security of staff, inmates, visitors, premises, and property. The employee ensures adherence to effective Post Orders and other official directions, exercising the employee's independent judgment in application of same (or, in extraordinary circumstances, in departure from same). The incumbent acts as Shift Commander for the work period to which the employee is assigned and reports directly to the Custody Major Investigator and Chief Deputy Warden of Security; or the Warden, Director of Criminal Justice, as the latter directs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB:
  1. Ensures that Correctional Officers / Sergeants timely muster for duty; promulgates timely information and direction, ensuring continuity of effort; inspects uniformed officers prior to deployment for duty.
  2. Tenders written roster report to Administration, indicating personnel present/on time; absent; and/or failing inspection.
  3. Ensures that absence slips are completed and delivered each day to DCP payroll, indicating Officers on days off; overtime; Paid Time Off; comp. time; etc.
  4. Provides employee counseling to correct inappropriate behaviors noted in correctional staff and recommends necessary training approaches to address deficiencies noted in junior officers.
  5. Issues staff discipline and/or notices of investigation to Correctional Officers / Sergeants when necessary - ensures that said reports are forwarded to Prison Leadership in a timely manner.
  6. Ensures the search of cells/block/shift with verification in daily reports; records/ensures recording of respective cell numbers and occupants in Block Log.
  7. Ensures the Count Board is accurate and updated in a timely fashion, recording housing changes thereon, as directed by proper authority.
  8. Oversees the movement of inmates; reports to professional staff any observed changes in inmates' affects, demeanors, and program participation - ensures Treatment Department is notified to ensure coordination of necessary care.
  9. Ensures prescribed housing and feeding of inmates.
  10. Supervises staff of the dietary, medical, and education sections, and other non-administrative staff.
  11. Perpetually inspects all spaces for security and cleanliness.
  12. Directs/participates in investigations of extraordinary events; issues orders consequent to reports of disturbance (in accordance with circumstances, established procedure, and professional judgment).
  13. Authors Extraordinary Occurrence reports and reviews all submitted reports and documentation from staff for accuracy and completeness.
  14. Reviews video of incidents prior to submitting Extraordinary Occurrence reports and preserves video from static and Body Worn Cameras as required.
  15. Reports emergencies at once to the Custody Major Investigator, Chief Deputy Warden of Security, Warden, and/or Director of Criminal Justice during their presence on duty; Reports emergencies that occur during non-traditional hours to the on-call designee.
  16. Authorizes and distributes weaponry; assists in major shakedowns.
  17. Authorizes all new commitments and releases.
  18. Ensures the scheduling of an adequate Officer complement for succeeding shift.
  19. Collaborates in planning crisis-management.
  20. Ensures a compliant and completed report is done for all Use of Force incidents, up to and including all camera footage being collected prior to completion of shift.
  21. Reviews, approve sand verifies all daily counts.
  22. Visually observes inmate activities.
  23. Attends and participates in all mandatory training and/or testing.
  24. Initiates corrective disciplinary action for minor infractions and recommends corrective disciplinary action for other infractions to include major corrective disciplinary action or dismissal.
  25. Completes or ensures the completion of all PREA rounds as required.
  26. Assigns Commissioned officers and their duties.
  27. Develops procedures, rules, and regulations for unique situations, which are not guided by existing policies.
  28. Responds to any incident inside Facility where direct supervision is needed.
  29. Ensures all subordinate officers receive annual and mandatory training.
  30. Supervises the on-the-job training program for all New Hires assigned to the shift.

OTHER DUTIES OF JOB:
  1. Attends meetings, training, and seminars as required.
  2. Performs other job-related duties as required.
  3. Assumes decision-making authority as shift commander.
  4. Assumes responsibility for all Jail operations where a higher-level corrections officer is not assigned and in the absence of the administrative superior.
  5. Makes decisions within scope of position description, duties, and responsibilities.
  6. Consults with the Custody Major Investigator concerning special or unusual circumstances.
  7. Coordinates with other internal departments and Prison contractors.


SUPERVISION RECEIVED
  1. Receives instruction and supervision directly from the Custody Major Investigator, Chief Deputy Warden of Security; or the Warden, and/or Director of Criminal Justice, as the latter directs.


SUPERVISION GIVEN:
  1. Supervises junior officers including probationary Correctional Officers, Correctional Officers, Sergeants, and Lieutenants.


WORKING CONDITIONS:
  1. Works in adequate office space, with adequate lighting but subject to fluctuations in temperature and ventilation.
  2. Works indoors with exposure to noise, disruptions, and stress.
  3. Normal indoor exposure to dust/dirt.


PHYSICAL/MENTAL CONDITIONS:

(As Outlined in the Captain Work Task Analysis):
  1. Must possess ability to record, convey and present information, explain procedures, and follow instructions.
  2. Must be able to sit and stand for periods throughout the workday, with periods of standing, walking, bending, twisting, reaching, stooping, and grasping as necessary to carry out job duties.
  3. Dexterity requirements range from simple to coordinated movements of fingers/hands; feet/legs; torso necessary to carry out job duties.
  4. Medium work, with occasional lifting/carrying of objects with a maximum weight of fifty (50) pounds.
  5. Must be able to cope with the physical and mental stress of the position.
  6. Must be able to pay close attention to details and concentrate on work.
  7. Must demonstrate resourcefulness in decision-making and problem solving.


QUALIFICATIONS

A. EDUCATION/TRAINING:
  1. Graduation from high school or an accredited equivalency program; plus
  2. Completion of an accredited course in corrections given by a community college, or by an authorized agency of Federal, State, or local government; plus
  3. Must successfully complete all training courses as required by Dauphin County Prison Administration.
  4. It is expected that the successful candidate for this position will achieve and maintain accreditation/certification in First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, the use of automatic external defibrillator (AED).


B. WORK EXPERIENCE:
  1. The candidate must possess a minimum of four years correctional experience, with at least two of those years being in a supervisory role.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
  1. Knowledge of principles and practices of modern corrections.
  2. Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local rules and regulations.
  3. Knowledge of County Prison Board policy; knowledge of Prison emergency plans.
  4. Knowledge of principles of administration and supervision.
  5. Knowledge of County Prison evolutions.
  6. Knowledge of Prison configuration and spaces.
  7. Knowledge of local and regional law-enforcement agencies.
  8. Proficiency in coordinating the activities of a diffused complement of junior Officers.
  9. Proficiency in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
  10. Proficiency in the use, handling, and care of weapons and chemical agents.
  11. Proficiency in the operation of basic office equipment including personal computers, typewriters, copiers, calculators, fax machines, scanners, and shredders.
  12. Ability to communicate clearly, orally and in writing.
  13. Ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions.
  14. Ability to assess and accurately report (orally and in writing) extraordinary events and emergencies.
  15. Ability to implement routine and emergency procedures, timely and accurately; ability to exercise independent judgment, within stipulated bounds.
  16. Ability to discern and accurately describe (orally and in writing) changes in inmates' affects and demeanors.
  17. Ability to work accurately and confidentially in an inherently stressful environment, with occasionally irregular working hours.
  18. Ability to establish effective work relationships with superiors; peers; subordinates; medical, social-service, education, and law-enforcement professionals; inmates and their families, friends, and advocates; elected and appointed officials of Federal, State, and local government; and other interested persons.

Similar Jobs

More Education, Government & Non-Profit Jobs

Find similar CAPTAIN jobs: