Corrections Professional Responsibility Investigator

Northampton County•Easton, PA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Corrections Professional Responsibility Investigator position is responsible for the provision of investigations for both internal and external operations related to the Department of Corrections. This role involves investigating major incidents at Department of Corrections facilities, serious allegations against staff, civil complaints, internal affairs matters, and other matters at the discretion of the Director of Corrections. The investigator will provide the Director of Corrections and appropriate staff with all facts and information gathered during investigations, including existing weaknesses noted. The position also involves reviewing facility incident reports, analyzing suspected violations of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, the Department of Corrections’ Code of Ethics, or the agency’s Code of Conduct, and preparing comprehensive reports of findings. Additionally, the role includes preparing and filing background investigations on applicants, coordinating and evaluating fingerprints and NCIC, collecting and developing evidence, preparing for presentation to prosecuting officials, and preparing and filing search warrants and affidavits for criminal arrest. The investigator will conduct independent, complex, and department-wide administrative investigations of staff, inmates, contract vendors, pre-release residents, Northampton County employees, private citizens, and inmates’ visitors. This includes developing and maintaining a liaison with other law enforcement agencies, examining official records, interviewing individuals, analyzing documents, and conducting surveillance using technical investigation apparatus. The role also involves gathering and preserving evidence, completing necessary documents for administrative or criminal proceedings, testifying in proceedings, directing investigators, assisting other law enforcement agencies, reviewing policies for compliance, recommending revisions, and identifying administrative operational deficiencies. The position may also involve training Corrections Supervisors and Officers and performing the work of other assigned investigators. Employees assigned to this title will be required to submit to a Criminal Background Check and Child Abuse Clearance at least every three (3) years, per PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) and must stay aware and adhere to PREA regulations.

Requirements

Completion of a high school, or general equivalency diploma
At least eight (8) years of full-time progressively responsible criminal investigations work and training experience in corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement or a related organization.
Act 120 certification is required. Candidates without Act 120 certification or an expired Act 120 certification, if hired, would be required to obtain new or reinstatement of said certification within six (6) months of hire. Failure to obtain this certification as outlined will result in termination of employment.
Must maintain annual certifications in First Aid, CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) and AED (Automated External Defibrillation)
Employee assigned to this title will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license.
Must have an acceptable driving record.
Appointees must pass a criminal history check.
Appointees must pass a psychological examination.
Appointees must pass a urine drug screen.
Employees assigned to this title will be required to submit to a Criminal Background Check and Child Abuse Clearance at least every three (3) years, per PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act).
Employees will be required to stay aware and adhere to PREA regulations and understand the circumstances of said Federal regulations.
Thorough knowledge of the principles and methods of criminal investigation, law enforcement, and corrections.
Knowledge of the basic rules of evidence.
Knowledge of the applicable statutes, court decision interpretations, and administrative rulings pertaining to violations of state law.
Knowledge of PREA, gang intelligence, and the process of field-testing suspected drug like substances.
Skill in the use of technical investigation equipment.
Ability to interpret and apply the Department of Correction’s Code of Ethics/Conduct.
Working knowledge of procedures to follow with regard to preservation of evidence and documentation, as it relates to chain of custody.
Knowledge and understanding of criminal behavior.
Ability to establish and maintain records of investigations, and to prepare reports from same.
Ability to testify in judicial and administrative proceedings to investigations and findings.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, while keeping the Director of Corrections abreast of all investigations and findings.
Ability to demonstrate sound writing and communication skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials and representatives of other agencies, prisoners, associates, and the public.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English to perform the duties of this position.

Nice To Haves

Possession of a degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement or a closely related field, can be substituted for the experience requirement on a year-for-year basis
Ability to understand and speak Spanish is preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

Investigates all major incidents at Department of Corrections facilities as well as serious allegations against staff, civil complaints, internal affairs matters, and other matters at the discretion of the Director of Corrections.
Provides the Director of Corrections, and appropriate staff, with all facts and information gathered during each investigated incident.
Reviews facility incident reports as needed/requested, and advises the Director of Corrections and Public Safety Administrator of any incidents, trends, or noteworthy occurrences which need further investigation.
Receives complaints and analyzes facts involved to determine the course and scope of investigations of suspected violations of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, the Department of Corrections’ Code of Ethics, or the agency’s Code of Conduct.
Prepares comprehensive reports of findings.
Prepares and files background investigations on applicants for hire in the Department of Corrections.
Coordinates, examines, and evaluates fingerprints and N.C.I.C.
Collects, evaluates, and develops evidence.
Prepares for presentation to prosecuting officials.
Prepares and files search warrants and affidavits for criminal arrest.
Conducts independent, complex, and department-wide administrative investigations of staff, inmates, contract vendors, pre-release residents, Northampton County employees, private citizens, and inmates’ visitors.
Develops and maintains a liaison with other law enforcement agencies.
Examines and evaluates various official records such as personnel, inmate, medical, criminal history, and financial.
Interviews informants, inmates, employees, and individuals as necessary to obtain information concerning criminal activity.
Analyzes documents, obtains handwriting and typing samples, and prepares graphs for court presentation.
Conducts surveillance using technical investigation apparatus such as electronic and photographic equipment of all types.
Gathers and preserves evidence through interviews, telephone monitoring, surveillance, and cell searches.
Completes all necessary documents for the conduct of administrative or criminal proceedings.
Testifies, presents, and defends evidence in criminal and administrative proceedings.
Directs investigators and coordinates activities of personnel from other state agencies necessary to an investigation.
Assists other law enforcement agencies with investigations.
Reviews policies to determine compliance of staff and inmates.
Recommends revisions and changes based upon investigation.
Identifies administrative operational deficiencies to prevent future violations.
Attends annual municipal police officers’ education and training commission in-service training, law enforcement, and corrections-related training, as well as mandatory firearms qualification.
Provides training to Corrections Supervisors and Officers in such areas as report writing, conducting investigations, preserving crime scenes, and other related topics.
May be required to perform the work of other assigned investigators consistent with operational or organizational requirements.
Maintains files and records as assigned.