Warden

County of Chester • Chester County Prison - West Chester, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Warden is responsible for overseeing and managing the daily operations of the Chester County Prison, Central Booking function, and the Correctional Center, ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of staff, detainees, inmates, and the public. This position requires strong leadership skills, excellent communication, and the ability to make critical decisions in high-pressure situations. The successful candidate will bring strategic leadership, operational expertise, and a commitment to rehabilitation and community safety. A criminal background check is required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ten years of job-related experience.
• Working knowledge of Pennsylvania Title 37 (state regulations for county correctional institutions).
• Working knowledge of American Correctional Association Standards for adult correctional facilities.
• Basic understanding of PA crimes code and vehicle law.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Intermediate skill to use a personal computer and various software packages.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• General understanding of Human Resource guidelines.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Ability to handle and resolve recurring problems.
• Strong professional ethics.
• Ability to maintain confidential information and handle confidential matters.
• Strong working knowledge of budgets, spreadsheets, and interpreting audits.
• Ability to remain focused on daily operations.
• Exhibits sound and accurate judgement.
• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
• Ability to make firm, unbiased decisions.
• Ability to interface effectively with all levels of county management.
• Able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• A valid driver’s license is required.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration or an MBA from an accredited college or university.
• Ten years of correctional/law enforcement administration experience.
• Advanced correctional/law enforcement training.
• Correctional Cadre Development.
• Correctional Supervisor’s training.
• Department of Justice Warden’s training.
• Ability to work on conceptual design and policy development.
• General understanding of fiscal planning.
• General knowledge and understanding of County of Chester policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a strategic vision for the correctional system, aligning with the goals of the Prison Board of Inspectors, the County, and society.
• Provide guidance and direction to direct and indirect reports to ensure the overall success of the correctional programs.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of correctional facilities, ensuring compliance with policies, regulations, and industry best practices.
• Develop, implement, and enforce security protocols to safeguard the facility, its inmates and detainees, and staff.
• Conduct regular inspections of the premises to identify and address potential security risks.
• Collaborate with security personnel to develop and maintain effective security measures.
• Monitor the well-being of inmates and detainees, addressing their concerns and maintaining open lines of communication.
• Collaborate with support staff to provide necessary services and resources for inmates and detainees.
• Oversee the development and implementation of rehabilitation and reentry programs to facilitate successful inmate transitions back into society.
• Collaborate with community organizations to support reintegration efforts.
• Oversee care and educational/program providers delivering services to inmates within the facilities.
• Supervise and lead a team of security personnel, ensuring proper training and adherence to established protocols.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and inclusive work environment, promoting employee morale and well-being.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback.
• Develop and implement training programs for correctional staff, focusing on professional development, safety, and rehabilitation principles.
• Develop and implement emergency response plans to address various situations, including natural disasters, medical emergencies, and security breaches.
• Coordinate with relevant authorities and agencies during emergency situations.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Stay informed about changes in legislation and best practices and adjust procedures accordingly.
• Manage administrative tasks, including budgeting, scheduling, and record-keeping.
• Prepare regular reports for the Board and higher management on facility operations, incidents, and improvements.
• Coordinate, cooperate, and collaborate with County Departments, including but not limited to, County Administration, DCIS, Emergency Services, Facilities, Finance (including Risk Management), Health, Procurement, and Solicitor.
• Establish and maintain effective partnerships with residents, host municipality officials, surrounding municipalities, community organizations, and emergency services providers.
• Regularly attend municipal meetings and other community events.

Benefits

• Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager