CORRECTION SERGEANT
DEFINITION
Under the general direction of a Correction Lieutenant or other
supervisory officer in the Department of Corrections, assists in the
supervisory of the custody work program of an institution, in a
designated building or area; acts in the place of a Correction
Lieutenant as assigned; does related work as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes
only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties
listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the
job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Supervises the work involved in the performance of assigned task
in accordance with the established policies, regulations and procedures
in such a manner as to encourage and assist persons deprived of their
liberty toward complete social rehabilitation.
Cooperates with members of the treatment staff in supporting and
maintaining rehabilitation programs. Takes an active part in such
rehabilitation programs as inmate counseling and supportive set teams.
During a tour of duty, relays orders and other communications to
the correction officers and civilian staff.
Supervises the work operations, and/or functional programs, and
has responsibility for employee evaluation, and for effectively
recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or
disciplining employees.
Responsible for the blotter or daily work report sheets, including
doing the work involved in noting the various assignments of the
correction officers and unusual occurrences.
During a tour of duty, has a leading part in supervising the work
of the institution, including the behavior of inmates and correction
officers, civilian employees, and visitors.
Supervises the the work of the main control point, and sees that
correction officers, inmates, and visitors do not leave or enter the
institution without the proper authority.
During a tour of duty is responsible for contact visits between
visitors and inmates. Assures that all visitors have proper
identification and have been approved to visit within the institution.
Assures that all visitors entering the institution are not carrying an
contraband. Assures that all reports are filed when a visitor is
attempting to introduce contraband into the institution during visits.
Has the responsibility of contacting and making out incident reports
for the proper authorities including police reports when the arrest of
a visitor is necessary.
Responsible for all areas of the mail and package program within
the institution. Will have the responsibility of seeing that all mail
received in the institution is distributed in accordance with federal
rules an regulations.
As assigned, is responsible for the operation of an institutional
computer program utilized to develop and monitor officer scheduling by
shift; overtime lists; vacation schedules, and training and attendance
records.
Responsible for the recording and marking of all incoming personal
property of inmates that is received by mail at the institution.
Responsible for the distribution of this personal property.
Responsible for the counts of inmates and searches to be made for
missing inmates.
Maintains order in the building and on the grounds of the
institution.
Notes suspicious persons and behavior and takes appropriate
action; notes and reports dangers and hazards and takes steps to
correct such conditions to assure order.
Takes the responsibility for good order and the discipline in
specified areas of the institution.
During a tour of duty, is responsible for such areas as the
vocational shops, dining halls, indoor, and outdoor recreation and
inmates housing units.
Responsible for all institution search teams and assures the
Correction Officers complete proper forms for the seizure of contraband
as a result of these searches.
During a tour of duty responsible for investigating charges of
misconduct written on inmates by Correction Officers and other staff
members.
Assures that all witnesses given by an inmate as a result of
misconduct charge are interviewed and that statements from these
witnesses are recorded. Sees that all charges after being investigated
are sent to the Adjustment Committee for adjudication.
During some investigations is responsible for completing pre-
hearing detention forms and removing inmates that are a threat to the
institution from the general population.
Responsible for preparing daily work schedules for correction
officers and gives correction officers instructions at time of
reporting and supervises their work.
Assures that all post assignments are covered.
During a tour of duty completes roll call of officers of the
institution and assigns them to their post. Provides special
instruction for work assignments.
Assures that unusual occurrences and signification conditions are
noted on the blotter or daily report sheets.
During a tour of duty responsible for the return of all keys
(maximum, minimum, and non-security keys) used by the various
Correction Officers and civilian staff in the institution.
Notifies the medical staff of inmates who require immediate
medical attention. Responsible for seeing that all inmates who have
been injured or sick report to the hospital for medical treatment and
that the proper incident reports are submitted to the proper authority
when an inmate's behavior pattern indicates that he may attempt to harm
himself or others.
Investigated complaints made by inmates or Correction Officers and
prepares reports thereof with recommendations for remedial action.
Makes reports in cases of absence or misconduct of employees.
Responsible for filing reports on Correction Officers under
supervision, and as probationary reports on Correction Officer Recruits
and the Correction Office Performance Assessment Review (PAR) ratings.
Responsible for counseling Correction Officers under supervision
in areas where assistance may be needed.
As a member of a group, attends formal classes and received
instructions in the principles, practices, and terminology of the
modern correction an penology methods when so assigned.
Responsible for the operation of outside full minimum facility.
Responsible for the scheduling of staff and the keeping of all records.
Has the responsibility to see that all inmates assigned to satellite
units abide by rules and regulations that govern such units.
Supervises the programs that operate from the unit such as work
release, school programs outside of the unit and all community
activities.
Responsible for institutional training in the use of all security
equipment that will be used in the performance of duties related to the
Correction Officer.
At an institution and at the Correction Officers Training Academy
responsible for training all custody staff in the proper and safe use
of firearms that are used in the daily performance of duties.
At an institutional firearms range, responsible for developing and
supervising a program to provide firearms qualification and annual re-
qualification of all custody staff for both on-duty weapons in
accordance with policy and regulations of the State Police Commission
on Firearms Training.
At the Department Training Center organizes training courses in
prison administration and supervises the establishment of institution
training programs. Schedules training of probationary Correction
Officers, including the obtaining of suitable quarters and equipment,
instructors and instruction in the care, housing, custody, and
rehabilitation of inmates and the use of protective equipment.
May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic
and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency,
office or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION:
High School Diploma or its equivalent.
EXPERIENCE:
Three (3) years of experience in the care and custody of
inmates in a correctional institution.
NOTE: Appointees to this position shall be required to
qualify in the use of firearms on an annual basis.
LICENSE:
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid
in New Jersey.
NOTE: The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the
required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type
of vehicles they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, standards,
policies, and procedures relating to the operation of a penal or
correctional institution.
Knowledge of the problems involved in the social
rehabilitation, care and custody of varied types of persons deprived of
their liberty.
Knowledge of the involved in developing proper work procedures
and in giving appropriate assignments and instructions to Correction
Officers and supervising performance of their work.
Knowledge of the methods likely to be useful in working
effectively with varied types of persons.
Knowledge of the problems involved in assimilating factual
material of a technical nature and in compiling and utilizing essential
facts presented in demonstrations and/or lecture.
Knowledge of approved force techniques, chemical mace, fire
fighting equipment and other emergency equipment.
Knowledge of the procedures used in maintaining extensive
records and files.
Knowledge of the principals of Criminal Justice and their
applications to inmate custody and correction.
Ability to acquire knowledge of due process laws with some
knowledge of 2C laws and court procedures used in testifying at trials.
Ability to understand, remember and carry out oral and written
directions and to learn quickly from oral and written explanations and
from demonstrations.
Ability to organize assigned custodial work and develop
effective work methods.
Ability to assign and instruct groups and individuals and
supervise the performance of their work.
Ability to work effectively with superiors, associates,
subordinates, and visitors and groups engaged in or interested in work
concerning the problems of persons deprived of their liberty.
Ability to give clear and explicit directions and to follow
loosely prescribed procedures.
Ability to perform repetitive work without loss of equanimity,
patience, or courtesy, to remain calm and decisive in emergency
situations, and to retain emotional stability.
Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative
reports of significant conditions and actions taken.
Ability to keep accurate and extensive records.
Ability maintain proficiency in the use of firearms as
required by Departmental Standards and the State Police Commission on
Firearms Training.
Ability to successfully complete special firearms instructor
courses such as Smith & Wesson and Federal bureau of Investigation
Academy Methods of Instruction for Firearms.
Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or
manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or
related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in
English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American
Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of
communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as
long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after
reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the
accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue
hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
CODES: 221/20-32652 MCK 10/29/05
