CORRECTIONAL OFFICER MAJOR

If you are looking for an exciting career with great benefits, pension, generous leave, competitive salary, and the opportunity for advancement and professional growth, apply to join the DPSCS team today!

 The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) is seeking dedicated candidates to fill important roles within our department. We are one of the largest departments in Maryland with nearly 12,000 employees and a budget of more than $1 billion. In order to fulfill our mission of promoting safety, we have increased security at our institutions while leading the way in innovative restorative justice projects that will help offenders reintegrate into society upon release.

 As a member of the DPSCS team, you can have a fulfilling career, while also enjoying a wide range of benefits such as medical and dental coverage, paid time off (i.e. vacation, sick leave), becoming vested in the State pension, supplemental retirement options, and even joining the Maryland State Employees Credit Union.

CORR 0009

This position is responsible for managing the Special Operations _Group, supervision for the Eastern and Western Team Leaders, and coordinating Institutional Tactical Units and their Sub-Units within the Division of Correction and to ensure that all teams and units are adhering to current standards, training standards and policies. This position requires an extensive knowledge of, and the ability to teach, Tactical Operations. This position provides expert training oversight for all use of force programs, instructors and students. Provides use of force expert witness activity for the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and allied agencies. This position is responsible for the technical content of the Division's Firearms Training Program and the Defensive Tactics Program, and the Respiratory Protection Program as it specifically applies to the Special Operations Group. This position assists the Director of Security Operations as a liaison for the Special Operations Group Team Leaders, Institutional Tactical Unit Commanders, Technical Support Unit and Regional Technical Support Unit Commanders with the other areas of Crisis Management, Security Operations, Training and facility operations as it applies to tactical emergencies and tactical preparedness. This position coordinates testing, evaluation and approval of all tactical equipment and firearms equipment and ammunition. This position provides Instructor Training in Firearms, Institutional Tactical Units, Correctional Emergency Response Teams, Special Response Teams, Chemical Agents, Defensive Tactics, Officer Survival and Use of Force.

• Responsible for management of the Special Operations Group. Directly supervising the East and West Team Leaders and training of their members and the members of all Institutional Tactical Units and their Sub-Units. Directly manages and coordinates the Divisions High Risk Inmate Transportation Program. Coordinates training exercises and practical demonstrations to demonstrate and ensure tactical preparedness throughout the Division. Ensures 24-7 coverage of duties for emergencies as they arise throughout the Division. The mission of the Special Operations Group for the Division of Correction is to maintain a highly trained, motivated, unified, physically and mentally capable Correctional Tactical Team in a constant state of readiness. This Team shall hold itself to the highest standard by its demonstration of professionalism, pride, integrity, selflessness and devotion. This Team shall be dedicated to being prepared to handle any correctional tactical emergency situation in the State of Maryland, anytime, anywhere. This Team is the primary mechanism for restoring order in confrontational and tactical emergency events in the Division. 

• Responsible for developing DOC Tactical Organization and Operation Manual and all Policy and Procedures specific to the DOC Special Operations Group. Responsible for developing and approving all Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission approved lesson plans for all aspects of the DOC Special Operations Group including Institutional Tactical Units. On call for all High Risk Inmate Transports and Category III or above emergencies.
• Responsible for developing DOC Use of Force Program and oversees the preparation of lesson plans. Monitors the quality of instruction (quality control) to ensure compliance with Federal and State Law and MPCTC requirements. Develops certified courses of instruction; ensures entry level, in-service, remedial and instructor training programs meet standards; coordinates certification with MPCTC. Evaluates new equipment, weapons, ammunition, chemical munitions and less lethal munitions and makes recommendations; and develops specifications for equipment purchases. The proper use of force throughout the Use of Force Continuum is a responsibility of over 5,000 correctional officers. Proper training in legal, tactical and safety considerations is required to minimize the liability of the Agency in a use of force event and to ensure the safety of the general public, our staff and inmates. Training must be recent, realistic and relevant. Evolving standards are constantly being raised for correctional deadly force training. Officer skills, Instructor skills and agency policies must be current and standardized throughout the State to be defensible. Use of Force Policy, standards and training are the initial line of defense to litigation resulting from use of force events.
• Responsible for the Division's Firearms Training Program as the Firearms Training Manager. Ensures that all firearms related issues are congruent with both the Training Unit and Security Operations. Develops and approves certified MPCTC approved training courses. Ensures all information is being properly disseminated between Security Operations and the Training Unit. The Division's Firearms Program is an important part in meeting its goal of protecting the general public, protecting its staff and protecting the inmate population. Evolving standards are always in need of being. met and current MPCTC approved lesson plans are essential in ensuring properly trained staff. Proper record keeping and properly trained instructors are an essential element in the initial line of defense to litigation resulting from the use of a firearm in a deadly force situation.

• Responsible for the Division's Defensive Tactics Training Program. Ensures that all defensive tactics related issues are congruent with both the Training Unit and Security Operations. Develops and approves certified MPCTC approved training courses. Ensures all information is being properly disseminated between Security Operations and the Training Unit. The Division's Defensive Tactics Program is an important part in meeting its goal of protecting the general public, protecting its staff and protecting the inmate population. Evolving standards are always in need of being met and current MPCTC approved lesson plans are essential in ensuring properly trained staff. Proper record keeping and properly trained instructors are an essential element in the initial line of defense to litigation resulting from the use of physical force.

Education:  High School diploma or high school equivalency certificate acceptable to the Maryland State Board of Education as described in the Correctional Training Commission regulation.

Experience: Two years of experience supervising the work of Correctional Officer Supervisors in the custody and security of adult inmates.

Notes:

1. The above educational requirement is set by the Correctional Training Commission in accordance with Correctional Services Article, Section 8-209.

2. Candidates may substitute additional education at an accredited college or university at the rate of sixty credit hours for one year of the required experience provided that a minimum of 15 credit hours are in the field of criminal justice or related social sciences.

3. Candidates may substitute equivalent State experience in other classifications within the correctional field which involve daily contact with and custody of inmates for the required experience. Qualifying experience must be in a classification where the salary is comparable to Correctional Officer Captain.

4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience in correctional classifications or correctional specialty codes in the criminal justice field of work equivalent to a Correctional Officer Captain on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

This recruitment is limited to current employees of the MD Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services only.

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

1. Employees who have not already done so must meet the selection standards required and successfully complete the training prescribed by the Maryland Correctional Training Commission for a correctional officer during their probationary period, (Correctional Services Article, Section 8-209). Selection standards for correctional officer training are listed in detail in the Code of Maryland Regulations Title 12, Subtitle 10, Chapter 01 and include the following:

U.S. Citizenship or Resident Alien status
Must be at least 21 years of age
A completed background investigation
Oral interview
Physical examination.

2. Employees in this classification hired or reinstated on or after July 1, 2016 shall successfully complete the Entrance Level Firearms Training prescribed by the Maryland Correctional Training Commission (Code of Maryland 12.10.04.04 and 12.10.04.05) and demonstrate practical knowledge and proficiency in the safe use and care of firearms on a periodic basis.

3. Employees in this classification are subject to call-in 24 hours a day and, therefore, must provide the employing agency with a telephone number where they can be reached.

4. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.