CDOC - Associate Warden (Sterling)

State of Colorado • Denver, CO

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Colorado Department of Corrections is recruiting an Associate Warden to provide leadership, supervision, and oversight of facility operations at Sterling Correctional Facility. The role provides daily administrative and operational management across facility programs, including housing, security, group living, offender services, education, food service, programs, and physical plant operations. It is responsible for supporting safe, secure, and humane operations, public safety, and successful offender reentry.

The Associate Warden implements departmental policies and directives; contributes to management and strategic plans; collaborates on budget development and oversight; supervises and develops staff and managers; oversees emergency planning and incident response; monitors offender discipline and classification processes; and conducts daily inspections of facility buildings, grounds, activities, and program areas. The position may assume Warden responsibilities as delegated. Other duties may be assigned.

Employment is contingent on meeting the stated screening and conditions of employment, including successful medical screening, background investigation, drug testing, and completion of all modules of the six-week Colorado Department of Corrections Basic Training. The role requires the physical capacity to perform defensive tactics and related duties, and willingness and ability to travel and work various shifts, including a rotating schedule. The position is based at Sterling Correctional Facility. Applications are accepted from Colorado residents and nonresidents under a residency waiver.

Requirements

• Ten years of relevant experience in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Public Administration, or a related field; alternatively, a combination of related education and/or relevant experience equal to ten years.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to manage staff with diverse professional experience and qualifications.
• Knowledge and experience in performance management and personnel matters, including assessing and addressing staff deficiencies in accordance with State Personnel Board Rules and Department regulations.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively and maintain a positive culture.
• Strong verbal and written communication and public-speaking skills.
• Ability to manage effectively in a complex, changing environment.
• Comprehensive operational knowledge of institutional facilities.
• Ability to manage a multiple-program governmental organization efficiently and effectively, and to innovate, implement, and improve operations using performance measures.
• Self-control and ability to work in stressful, potentially violent situations; remain alert, emotionally stable, mentally resilient, and observant under pressure.
• Tolerance for stress, confinement, and high-stakes interactions.
• Ability to read and comprehend English and communicate fluently in English verbally and in writing.
• Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain-language guidelines.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must possess a high school diploma or GED and a valid driver’s license; must meet the stated Colorado driver’s license and driving-record requirements for operating state vehicles.
• Must have no felony convictions and meet the stated restrictions concerning sexual abuse or misconduct involving incarcerated people or residents.
• Must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application; H-1B sponsorship is not available.
• Must successfully pass all modules of the six-week Colorado Department of Corrections Basic Training, including English reading comprehension, competency assessments, and written and practical Defensive Tactics exams.
• Must possess the physical ability to complete the specified defensive-tactics activities, including lifting arms, kicking, controlled takedowns, defensive strikes, baton techniques, and repeated kneeling and rising.
• Must be able to see and hear to observe, address, and respond to safety and security issues; seize, hold, control, or subdue violent or assaultive people and defend self or others; and demonstrate agility, limb strength, and ability to walk and climb stairs consistently.
• Must be able to work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control, and restraint; interact tactfully with people across varied moods and behaviors, including people of diverse backgrounds and people who are mentally ill or emotionally disturbed; and communicate by speaking, listening, or signaling.
• Must be able to work in fluctuating noise and temperatures, potentially outdoors in inclement weather and in concrete-floor or concrete-wall settings.
• Must be willing and able to travel and work various shifts, days, afternoons, and graveyards, including a rotating shift schedule.
• Must complete tuberculosis screening upon hire and successfully complete a background investigation and drug testing; random drug screening occurs during employment.
• Must consent to the stated medical screening and release/hold-harmless conditions.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the details, explain why the circumstances should not disqualify them, and provide their prior employee number.
• Applicants with relevant criminal charges must provide written or official disposition documentation as requested.
• Correctional employees are subject to the agency’s drug and alcohol requirements; marijuana use is prohibited while working, and POST-certified employees are prohibited from marijuana use.

Nice To Haves

• Experience overseeing correctional institution operations, including reviewing staffing patterns and shift scheduling for essential posts.
• Experience implementing strategies to mitigate overtime costs and staff fatigue.
• Experience reviewing employee grievances, preparing written responses, and developing follow-up action plans.
• Experience overseeing quality control and compliance processes in a correctional setting, including compliance programs, security audits, PREA audits, and facility policy implementation aligned with Department standards.
• Experience supervising correctional supervisors, guiding performance management under the Performance Management Program and Administrative Regulation 1450-02, and coaching and mentoring supervisors.
• Experience gathering and submitting information in responses to correctional litigation.
• Experience overseeing use-of-force reviews and after-action reviews; offender disciplinary and classification appeals; offender grievance responses; and information gathering for the Attorney General’s Office in support of the Department’s legal defense.
• Experience overseeing essential services in a 24-hour correctional operation, such as laundry, food service, physical plant and climate control, life safety, or clinical services.
• Experience overseeing emergency management coordination, including immediate response strategy and long-term resolution in a correctional setting.

Responsibilities

• Implement departmental policies and directives and assist in developing management plans, strategic plans, and operational procedures.
• Collaborate with management staff on facility budget development and oversight; ensure managers adhere to allocated budgets and assist with contingency and supplemental requests.
• Directly supervise assigned staff, assess staffing needs, develop staffing patterns, approve leave, prepare and sign performance documentation, and provide direction, mentorship, and feedback.
• Oversee development of the facility emergency operations plan and serve as Incident Commander; assign staff within the Incident Command structure, monitor exercises, and ensure incidents are appropriately documented.
• Monitor the Code of Penal Discipline and offender classification processes to ensure compliance with departmental policy and appropriate offender management and capacity practices.
• Oversee the facility classification system, including appropriate classification and review for reclassification, off-grounds clearance, special status, and Restrictive Housing placement.
• Supervise professional-level management staff through performance management and evaluation; initiate hiring and disciplinary processes and assign work schedules and job assignments.
• Provide leadership to facility personnel and implement strategies that promote staff development and growth.
• Assume Warden Appointing Authority responsibilities as delegated.
• Conduct daily inspections of buildings, grounds, activities, and program areas.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the state system.
• PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401(k) and 457 plans.
• Medical and dental health plans.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Paid life insurance.
• 11 paid holidays per year, plus vacation and sick leave.
• Wellness program.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Training opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED