STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Correctional Captain

Recruitment #210609-2272SC-001

Introduction

Are you ready to take your career to the next level with the Department of Correction?

We are seeking to hire for a Correctional Captain within our agency

In this role, you will work directly with the Canine Unit located at the Central Office in Wethersfield, Connecticut. This is a first-shift, full time position with the hours of 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

Canine Unit Details 

This unit is responsible for insuring that the agency’s various correctional facilities are equipped with appropriate levels of staff at all times to fulfill the Department’s mission of public safety and provide for safe, secure and orderly institutions. The functioning and fiscal accounting for nearly 4,000 correctional staff are constantly analyzed to provide for a cost-effective correctional system. 

A critical aspect of the Department’s ability to maintain the security of its facilities is its 22 canine teams. These highly trained combinations of handler and canine are utilized on a daily basis to maintain order within the correctional facilities. Their capabilities in the detection of drugs play a key role in searches of the inmate population as well as in the abatement of drugs entering the correctional perimeter.

Position Highlights 

This is a great opportunity of promotion for candidates who are interested in a higher level of service which includes training, coordinating, overseeing DOC Canine Handlers and Canine Trainers. 

In this role, you will: 

  • Be responsible for coordinating and overseeing all DOC canine handler/canine training; 
  • Maintain policies and procedures pertaining to kennel management; 
  • Serve as the Department’s liaison between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in matters pertaining to canine use; 
  • Complete all canine handler work schedules, shift assignments and rotations which shall be approved by the Director of Tactical Operations; 
  • Maintain all appropriate records pertinent to the K9 Unit.

More details can be found in the Example of Duties (section below) and in the class specification

Selection Plan

This is a competitive recruitment, open to current Department of Correction employees.

To Apply:

  • Complete a Master Application and apply directly to this recruitment.  
  • Please ensure that your application is complete and you have included your Resume in the 'Resume Tab' of your application as you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system. 

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State-Department of Correction employee who has permanent State status and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

  • For employees in the Classified Service, Permanent Status is obtained after successful completion of a working test period. Applicants should be on the Agency-wide Captain Promotional List. 
  • For employees in the unclassified service, permanent status is obtained after serving in a position for at least six months (full time or full time equivalent).

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

What to Expect After you Apply:

Applicants selected to complete the next step of the application process will be invited to an Oral Interview.

Please bring your Cover Letter, Resume, most recent Performance Evaluation and one year Attendance Report to your Oral Interview. Candidates will be asked job related questions and a panel of subject matter experts will evaluate the responses in a number of critical areas such as:

  1. The ability to work effectively with diverse populations;
  2. Interpersonal Skills - The ability to communicate with clarity.

Should you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Samantha Wasef, Leadership Associate – Talent Solutions: Samantha.Wasef@CT.Gov or 860.937.6357 

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Correction this class is accountable for supervising correctional staff engaged in custody, security, investigations/operations, inmate transportation and/or developing, coordinating and conducting training programs.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Applicants will be responsible for coordinating and overseeing all DOC canine handler/canine training; Coordinate all training pertaining to the Canine Unit; Evaluate and procure candidate canines for new handlers or as replacements for retiring canines; Monitor general health of the canines in conjunction with assigned handlers; Provide advice for local treatment and coordinate veterinary care as necessary including annual check-ups and immunizations; Provide food, medication, health and grooming materials for the canine handlers; Review all incidents that result in a canine use of force; Maintain policies and procedures pertaining to kennel management; Serve as the Department’s liaison between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in matters pertaining to canine use; Complete all canine handler work schedules, shift assignments and rotations which shall be approved by the Director of Tactical Operations; and, Maintain all appropriate records pertinent to the K9 Unit.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws; considerable knowledge of policies and procedures utilized in correctional facilities; considerable knowledge of modern correctional methods and practices; considerable knowledge of standard security measures and appropriate methods of inmate discipline; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to accurately evaluate situations and make effective administrative and supervisory decisions; ability to utilize computer software; supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Five (5) years of experience in correctional work responsible for custodial security or inmate treatment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the level of Correctional Lieutenant.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

College training in behavioral sciences, corrections, criminal justice or a related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of one (1) year.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Satisfactorily completed 1 year of service as a K9 Lieutenant

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  1. Incumbents in this class are required to possess a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certification.
  2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made before persons are certified for appointment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  1. Incumbents in this class must have general good health, be free from any disease or injury which would impair health or usefulness and possess and retain sufficient physical strength, stamina, agility, endurance and visual and auditory acuity required to perform all the duties of the class.
  2. A comprehensive medical examination, including a controlled substance screening, may be required of applicants.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some danger of injury or assault by inmates.

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.