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Correctional Lieutenant (9656)

Correctional Lieutenant

California State Personnel Board Specification

  • Schematic Code: WY30
  • Class Code: 9656
  • Established: 07/14/1943
  • Revised: 12/17/1991
  • Title Changed: --

Definition

Under direction, either (1) in a line capacity, as a second level supervisor, to have charge of an assigned watch or a major area in a State correctional facility or to have charge of a conservation camp; to supervise the work of subordinates in the safe custody, discipline, and welfare of inmates; or (2) as a staff assistant to a custodial manager, to be responsible for and perform a complex and sensitive staff function requiring supervisory custodial expertise; may supervise subordinate staff; and (3) as a staff consultant to headquarters management, to perform complex consultative staff assignments requiring a thorough knowledge of institution security and program operations; and to do other related work.

Job Characteristics

A. In an institution, employees in this class function as second level supervisors or as staff assistants to custodial managers.

 

Incumbents who are second level line supervisors are in charge of an assigned watch or of an assigned major area or function or as the supervisor of a conservation camp. These assignments involve supervision of Correctional Sergeants who, in turn, directly supervise Correctional Officers and have the responsibility for planning and supervising the feeding, clothing, housing, transportation, custody, and discipline of inmates.

 

Incumbents who provide staff assistance to a custodial manager must be responsible for a complex and sensitive staff function with institution wide regional or statewide impact. Duties must require possession and application of supervisory custodial knowledge, skills, and abilities, and may require supervision of subordinate staff. Typically, incumbents are responsible for functions such as custodial personnel assignments; inmate work assignments; in-service training for custodial staff; criminal investigations; criminal gang activities control; public information and administrative assistance to the Superintendent/Warden; disciplinary hearings; camp liaison; and supervision of field background investigations at headquarters.

 

B. In headquarters, employees in this position will perform complex staff assignments in such areas as institution program operations, policy analysis and formulation, and systems analysis and implementation to ensure uniform application of Department policies by the institutions.

 

Incumbents perform a wide variety of consultative and analytical staff assignments such as program evaluation and planning; policy analysis and formulation; and systems development. They formulate procedures, policies and program alternatives; make recommendations on a broad spectrum of administrative and program related problems. They consult with architects and engineers regarding existing facility modifications and new prison plans; develop staffing packages; prepare post orders.

Typical Tasks

In an institution, as a line supervisor, assigns duties of subordinate Correctional Sergeants, gives instructions, provides on- the-job training, maintains discipline, and makes inspections to see that Correctional Sergeants are alert and diligent in the performance of their duties; supervises the custodial functions during movement of inmates to and from their assignments, recreation, and meals; supervises the maintenance of proper physical and sanitary conditions and otherwise sees to the well-being of inmates; prepares procedures and post orders; supervises the inspection of incoming and outgoing vehicles, materials, and supplies for the presence of contraband; directs inspections for contraband; supervises the necessary procedures in the admission and release of inmates; supervises period counts of inmates; reports infractions of rules and regulations and irregular or suspicious occurrences and takes or recommends appropriate action; participates as a member of the institution classification and disciplinary committees; issues passes for visitors entering or leaving the institution or camp and for the movement of inmates within the institution or camp; as a camp commander directs camp business activities including the preparation of estimates, requisitioning of supplies and equipment, maintenance of buildings and grounds, taking of inventories and the custody of property, and provides for medical care, recreational activities and training programs for inmates in camps; prepares plans for and cooperates with law enforcement agencies in the apprehension, prosecution, and return of escaped inmates; as assigned, acts for the custodial manager who supervises the lieutenant; may participate as a leader in group treatment programs for inmates; keeps records, dictates correspondence, and prepares reports.

 

In a staff capacity, is responsible for a complex and sensitive institution-wide, regional, or statewide function; as the training lieutenant, supervises the custodial employee in-service training program for the institution, including determining training needs and selecting training methods, and keeping informed of available training resources; acts as public information officer and administrative assistant to the Warden or Superintendent and Chief Deputy by interpreting and developing operational procedures and policies, by preparing and releasing information to the media, the public, employees, inmates, and other agencies, by coordinating research studies, and by arranging and conducting tours; manages the custodial staff assignment program by developing post assignment schedules, by scheduling staff to posts and to relief, special emergency assignments, and by determining cost-effective uses of permanent intermittent employees and staff overtime; conducts the institution's criminal investigation program by performing investigations of alleged felonies and misdemeanors committed by inmates and staff, by collecting and preserving evidence, and by preparing cases for trial and appearing as an expert witness; manages the criminal gang activity control program at an institution by developing networks to monitor gang activities and by interpreting available data to predict and minimize gang-related disruptions; manages inmate work assignments by matching inmate skills to job requirements, by determining work locations suitable for inmates of various classifications, by approving granting of time earned and other privileges; manages the disciplinary hearing program by reviewing investigative reports and evidence, by conducting hearings, and by determining appropriate resolutions of cases ranging from dismissal of the charge to adding time to inmates' sentences; serves as liaison between a Program Administrator and a group of camps in a geographic area by conducting on-site management audits of camps and by acting for the Program Administrator while he/she is in the field or absent for other reasons; as Assistant Commander at the Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Facility, trains, supervises, evaluates, and disciplines a large staff of Correctional Sergeants functioning as Academy instructors, may act as instructor in advanced training classes for correctional personnel, supervises the development and maintenance of training curricula, and supervises logistics of the Academy operation; may supervise custodial, clerical and inmate staff; is responsible for the maintenance of records and preparation of reports; as assigned, acts for the custodial manager who supervises the lieutenant.

 

In headquarters, as a staff consultant to management, performs complex staff assignments in such areas as institution services, program management, planning, and construction, program compliance and evaluation, selection standards, parole and community services. May be responsible for the Department's Disturbance Control Program for all institutions; monitors, coordinates projects, screens special reports and/or studies submitted for executive review and action; assists in conducting on-site program compliance reviews at institutions and parole and community services to ensure compliance with departmental policy, procedures, rules, regulations, directives and statutes; develops prototypical operational procedures, post orders, inmate work/training programs, duty statements, and staff training program/procedure relevant to the new prisons function and operation; organizes, implements, and supervises a major field office responsible for the investigation into the backgrounds of applicants; directs and supervises sergeants assigned to a Return to Custody Facility (RTC), responsible for all matters affecting custody and discipline of parole violators returned to a RTC Facility; conducts on-site institution operation reviews in relation to institutional operations, local practices and conditions; for identification of system-wide deficiencies; for development and implementation of corrective action plans to correct deficiencies; for numerous policy development activities, including the research of issues, development of issue memos, for the investigation and preparation of written responses to inquiries and correspondence referred from legislators, the public, Youth and Adult Correctional Agency and other agencies; and to serve as an expert resource on institution operations.

Minimum Qualifications

Either I

Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Correctional Sergeant.

Or II

Two years of experience in the California state service in custody, classification or treatment work performing duties of a class at a level of responsibility equivalent to that of the Correctional Sergeant.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: Principles and practices of correctional administration and criminology; methods of discipline, and the attitudes, problems and behavior of persons under restraint; principles and practices of personnel management and supervision; care and use of firearms; job requirements and work performed by inmates in an institution or camp; business principles and problems involved in administration and supervision of institutions and camps; camp and institution sanitation, and health and safety standards; principles and methods of employee training, determining training needs, and evaluating training results; purposes, activities, regulations, and functions of the California Department of Corrections and term-setting authorities; interviewing and investigative techniques; Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.

 

Ability to: Plan, organize, conduct, and evaluate training programs; establish and maintain cooperative relations with persons interested in correctional programs; plan, assign, and direct the work of others; enforce institutional rules and regulations with firmness, tact, and impartiality; promote socially acceptable attitudes and behavior among inmates; think and act quickly in emergencies; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; speak and write effectively; keep records and prepare reports; effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.

Special Personal Characteristics

Emotional maturity and stability; sympathetic and objective understanding of persons under restraint; satisfactory record as a law-abiding citizen; leadership ability; tact; good personal and social adjustment for correctional work; neat personal appearance; courage; alertness; willingness to work at night and to report for duty at any time emergencies arise; normal hearing; sound physical condition; strength; endurance; and agility.

Felony Disqualification

Existing law provides that persons convicted of a felony are disqualified from employment as peace officers. Such persons are not eligible to compete for, or be appointed to, positions in this class.

Drug Testing Requirement

Applicants for positions in this class are required to pass a drug screening test. (The drug screening test will be waived for employees who are currently in a designated "Sensitive" class for which drug testing is required under State Personnel Board Rule 213.)

  Updated: 7/5/2013
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