STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Commissioner Of Correction

Recruitment #200615-2187EX-001

Introduction



The Lamont-Bysiewicz Administration is seeking a dynamic and collaborative individual to serve as Commissioner of Correction (DOC) for the State of Connecticut. This position is located in Wethersfield, CT, easily accessible to all major highways. 

DOC Mission: 

The Department of Correction shall strive to be a global leader in progressive correctional practices and partnered re-entry initiatives to support responsive evidence based practices aligned to law abiding and accountable behaviors. Safety and security shall be a priority component of this responsibility as it pertains to staff, victims, citizens and offenders through:


Overview:

The origin of a correctional system in Connecticut began with the Old Newgate Prison in East Granby. It initially operated as a copper mine, opening in 1705. When that didn't prove profitable the colony of Connecticut began to use the tunnels as a prison. It was used to house inmates during the Revolutionary War and in 1790 became the state prison. Old Newgate served as the state's prison for men until 1827 when the new state prison was opened in Wethersfield. 

Throughout its history, the Department of Correction has emphasized the importance of offering educational opportunities to the inmate population as a means of supporting their reintegration and reducing recidivism. In 1968 a comprehensive adult basic education program was launched. As early as 1971, under the leadership of Commissioner John Manson (1971-1983), the agency became the second in the country to organize the educational system into a unified school district, designated by the state as Unified School District #1. Annually it confers 600-900 GED completion certificates, more than any other educational organization in the state as well as offering instruction in nearly three dozen vocational areas. 

The Connecticut Department of Correction was established by the General Assembly as of July 1, 1968 when the State Jail Administration, statutorily separate institutions and parole and related functions were established into a cabinet level agency headed by a commissioner who is appointed by the Governor. With the Department's creation, the state became the first in the nation to bring all youth and adult correctional institutions and parole functions under one central authority and resource base. The new agency was comprised of 12 facilities; the State Prison in Somers, Osborn Farm in Enfield, State Farm and Prison for Women in Niantic, State Reformatory in Cheshire, Youth Farm in Portland and state jails in Bridgeport, Brooklyn, Haddam, Hartford, Litchfield, Montville and New Haven. 

With an initial budget of $13,700,000 the agency administered 3,145 male and female offenders in its facilities. In contrast, fiscal year 2019-2020 saw the agency administering a budget of more than $620 million and incarcerating more than 10,000 offenders with another 4,500 under supervision in the community and a workforce of some 7,000 men and women.  The staff of Correction Officer, Nurses, trades workers, teachers and so much more, do their best every day to stand by the agency mission.

Overall, the agency offers a spectrum of programmatic opportunities for offenders including anger management, parenting, religious services, and a correctional enterprises program, which provides offenders work experience in a real world environment. Applying through this system is the first step. Please include a resume within the "Resume Tab" on your submitted application. You may be asked to provide additional information to the Office of the Governor.  

Appointed by the Governor in accordance with the provisions of Sections 4-5 through 4-8 and 18-80 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Applicants have until July 30th, 2020 to apply unless an appointment is made prior to that date.  

Thank you for your interest in the State of Connecticut and look forward to hearing from you!  State employees take great pride in the work they perform for the State of Connecticut.

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PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

Administers and directs the activities of the Department of Correction.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

The Role:

The Commissioner of Correction shall administer, coordinate and control the operations of the department and shall be responsible for the overall supervision and direction of all institutions, facilities and activities of the department including the supervision of person released on parole by the Board of Pardons of Paroles and out they meet the goals and objectives of the State of Connecticut.

The role will be to establish rules for the administrative practices and custodial and rehabilitative methods of said institutions and facilities in accordance with recognized correctional standards along with establishing, developing and maintaining non institutional, community-based service programs. 

Responsible for establishing disciplinary, diagnostic, classification, treatment, vocational and academic education, research and statistics, training and development services and programs throughout the department which inlcude:
  • appoint such professional, technical and other personnel as may be necessary for the efficient operation of the department
  • organize and operate inter-institutional programs for the development and training of institution and facility staffs 
  • provide for the services of such chaplains as are necessary to minister to the needs of the inmates of department institutions and facilities
  • arrange for provision of legal assistance of a civil nature to indigent inmates of department institutions and facilities and legal representation for such inmates before administrative boards where permitted or constitutionally required
Key Responsibilities:

  • Stakeholder Management - effectively engages and establishes strong working relationships built on confidence, trust and respect, and appropriately representing the Department of Correction.
  • Strategic Planning - visionary planning by staying current on health and well being of our inmates by proactively researching industry and emerging trends as well as policy changes on the local and national level, and their particular impacts within the State of Connecticut. Collaborates across stakeholders to develop short-term and long-term strategic plans for Correctional services. Ensures the strategic plan is communicated both internally and externally, and effectively delegates key activities to ensure timely implementation.
  • Health Initiative - directs efforts to ensure that policies, practices, and programs are focused on safety, soundness, and sustainability parameters, and that the delivery of the services are high-quality, operationally efficient, and constituent oriented.
  • Human Capital Management - responsible for overseeing strong and diverse workforce development through recruitment and retention, employee satisfaction and engagement, maximizing growth potential for employees and strong succession planning.
Leadership Profile:

  • Provides direction and fosters a common vision and focus on agency goals;
  • Provides leadership and development to build a strong high performing team;
  • Builds strong relationships to influence through trust and common purpose;
  • Adjusts communication style to respond to the changing situations and audience concerns;
  • Translates goals into well-defined performance plans and communicates link between current activities and goals;
  • Scans the environment to anticipate constituent needs and changing dynamics adjusts accordingly;
  • Proactively seeks to improve processes and implement best-in- class solutions to; better serve constituents, raising quality, safety and productivity in a calculated way;
  • Identifies new processes and/or systems to improve productivity and efficiency.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in an executive or management role within Corrections or a correctional environment;
  • Proven leadership and management experience, including managing a large team (over 1000), a multi-million dollar annual budget (over $100 million), and multiple programs concurrently;
  • Experience developing correction programs, with proven success in instituting correctional initiatives resulting in improved metrics and/or results;
  • Experience working at the Federal and/or State level in at least three professional areas;
  • Demonstrated experience providing creative and innovative solutions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

The Commissioner of Correction shall be an experienced Correctional Administrator.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.