This is supervisory correctional work directing and coordinating the safety and security operations of a correctional institution. An employee in this class, through subordinate supervisors, directs a large number of correctional personnel and performs a variety of facilitating administrative tasks in support of prison institutional operations. Work involves insuring that security activities conform to Prison rules and regulations and court mandates. Contact with inmates, prison staff, education and social service professionals in the institution, superiors and law enforcement agencies, is significant to the work. Work is performed under the direction of a higher level correctional superior and involves conditions which can be only partially controlled.

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be approved for this class.)

• Position must direct and coordinate safety and security operations of a correctional institution.
• Position must perform a variety of facilitating administrative tasks in support of Prison institutional operations.

• Inspects, through subordinate supervisors, the physical and sanitary conditions of the plants; ensures proper functioning of the electronic and mechanical systems and devices in the plants such as surveillance equipment, electronic gates, locks and telephones; ensures the cleanliness of living areas of inmates.
• Conducts, through subordinate supervisors, daily roll call for inmates and periodic search and seizure of contraband; monitors the activities of inmates and prison staff, education and social service professionals working in the institution to ensure the provision of adequate security services; intervenes in any serious situation; deploys and directs correctional staff to quell disturbances when necessary.
• Investigates reports of misconduct by Prison staff and/or inmates; confers with subordinate supervisors on inmate custody problems; confers with inmates upon request concerning institutional or personal problems with prison staff, education and social service professionals; confers with superiors on these and other problems; makes recommendations for changes in procedures and/or programs; may contact Police or Probation department on cases involving offenses committed by inmates while in prison; may refer cases involving visiting persons to the Police department.
• Reviews reports submitted by subordinate supervisors; prepares daily, weekly, monthly or yearly activity reports; prepares subordinates' work schedules, assignments and overtime; prepares performance report for subordinates.
• Serves at disciplinary board hearings as the charging officer; serves on the Employee Review Board charged with the responsibility for determining eligibility of candidates for employment; serves on the Administrative Segregation Review Board charged with the responsibility for assessing and evaluating the mental and physical state of inmates kept in special custody.
• Participates in the classification of newly arrived inmates; directs search and seizure of monies and other materials from newly arrived inmates; determines cells or dormitories to be assigned to inmates based on their crimes, mental or physical conditions; notifies social workers of such arrangements.
• Assists in the training and instruction of newly recruited correctional officers; conducts in-service and on-the-job training for correctional officers; makes recommendations pertaining to their efficiency.
• Assumes full responsibility for the institution in the absence of superiors during an assigned shift, holiday and/or weekend duty coverage.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• modern penalogical principles and practices as related to correctional work and to the control of prisoners.
• the methods and techniques required to enforce discipline among inmates.
• the rules and regulations governing the security of a correctional institution.
• the statutory laws governing correctional institutions.
• the social factors which result in the institutionalization of juveniles and adults.
• individual and group behavior of persons in custody.
• housekeeping and sanitation requirements of a large correctional facility.
• supervisory methods and techniques.
• the use and care of firearms.

• enforce regulations firmly, tactfully and impartially.
• express oneself effectively, both orally and in writing.
• learn the operation of, and to obtain proficiency with a variety of firearms, and to maintain such proficiency during tenure as a Correctional Captain if required by work assignment.
• establish and maintain effective work relationships with associates.

EDUCATION

• Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade.

• Three years of experience guarding inmates in a correctional institution.

• Two years of experience supervising, through subordinate supervisors, the activities of correctional officers.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES

• Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Correctional Captain.

PAY RANGE: EP19
Class Established:
  CSC - 4/1973 ; Ad Board - 5/1973

Spec. Revision:
  CSC - 1/1993 ; Ad Board - 4/1993

CO/sb/ps