Somerset County - SCJ Staff Development Specialist 122024

Start Date: December 12, 2024 | End Date: June 10, 2025
County: Somerset County
Job Type: Public Safety - Corrections

SOMERSET COUNTY

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Department:

Corrections Supervisors

Job Title:

Staff Development Specialist (SSGT)

Classification:

Non-Exempt/Non-Union

Office Hours:

Vary                                                     

Starting Salary:

Negotiable Based on Experience

Total Hours:  

Full-Time

JOB SUMMARY:

This is mid-level supervisory administrative position, reporting to the Assistant Jail Administrator of the Somerset County Jail.  The Staff Development Specialist ensures employees provide a high-quality direct supervision correctional facility by providing for the training of correctional staff, and helping to ensure the care, custody, and safekeeping of inmates.

At the discretion of the Assistant Jail Administrator, the Staff Development Specialist is responsible to create, manage, and maintain all records of the Somerset County Jail’s training activities.

The Staff Development Specialist develops and maintains an effective orientation and in-service training program for all security and non-security staff, contract employees, and volunteers. This includes providing hands on training, online training, off site training and scheduling qualified facilitators

Additionally, the Staff Development Specialist provides support during times of audits to the Compliance Manager, to ensure compliance with ACA, PREA and Maine DOC Standards regarding the safe operation of the Somerset County Jail.

KEY EXPECTED RESULTS:

1. Be committed to the missions of the Somerset County Jail and Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.
2. Be committed to the principles of direct supervision in all aspects of the work.
3. Work as a member of a team in the performance of duties.
4. Be punctual for scheduled work and use time appropriately.
5. Work in harmonious relationship with staff and community.
6. Perform duties in a conscientious, cooperative manner.
7. Perform required amount of work in a timely fashion with a minimum of errors.
8. Be neat and maintain a professional appearance.
9. Possess a valid Driver’s license.
10. Understand and work within Somerset County and the Somerset County Jail’s Policies and Procedures.
11. Assure quality in work performed in order to facilitate the delivery of quality services.
12. Accept shared responsibility with other team members to accomplish goals.
13. Maintain confidence and protect Somerset County by keeping information concerning inmates, clients and operations confidential.
14. Take direction in a professional manner from the correctional supervisors and administrative staff.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - The successful candidate will assist the Staff Development/Compliance Manager with the following:

• Ensure proper training for all personnel by scheduling and delivering all basic and in-service training in accordance with all Federal and State Statutes, MCJA standards, ACA standards, and mandated SCJ Policies and Procedures.
• Ensures that trainers are certified by the MCJA.
• Fulfills all training and reporting requirements by maintaining accurate and complete records in accordance with established laws, standards, polices, and procedures, and tracks certification of all employees’ credentials.
• Supervises newly hired corrections officers during their initial training phase.
• Ensures quality training programs by conducting an ongoing assessment of the training needs.
• Ensures that all American Correctional Association and Maine Department of Corrections standards are met relative to the training program and training requirements for all employees.
• Coordinates with all personnel their career paths by determining their career goals. Encourages them to work towards achievement of identified goals by tracking progress.
• Meets state mandates by maintaining current and accurate hiring and termination notices.
• Ensures required record keeping by filing all required training reports with the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.
• Represent the Jail Administrator at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy to plan and coordinate basic and advanced correctional training.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; establishes personal networks; and participates in professional societies.
• Administrates and maintains a Staff Resource Library for all correctional staff to utilize for professional development and enrichment.
• Reviews applications for employment to ensure prospective staff meet minimum requirements, and conducts preliminary reference checks.
• Conducts Criminal Background Investigations on perspective employees.
• Conducts Criminal Records checks on perspective employees to include, at a minimum, III, SBI, DMV, Hotfiles and District Court/Superior Court.
• Conducts a Criminal Record check on correctional staff on an on-going basis for the purpose of re-commissioning officers.
• Develops and administers Physical Agility Testing for pre-employment screening of applicants.
• Develops and administers comprehensive Aptitude Tests for pre-employment screening of applicants.
• Develops, coordinates, and participates in Oral Board Interviews of perspective employees.
• Develops and delivers Facility Orientation Training in conjunction with the Programs Officer for all volunteer and contracted staff prior to them entering the jail facility.
• Compiles and maintains a database of all volunteer and contracted staff authorized to enter the jail facility.
• Compiles, updates, and maintains personnel contact information in accordance with jail policy.
• Maintains a roster of Certified Corrections Officers to ensure minimum staffing levels in accordance with jail policy.
• Maintains the database of shift-bid assignments and the daily schedules to ensure adequate security staff coverage in the facility.
• Develops and administers Limited Access Certification Training to correctional staff.
• Conducts security and records audits of all NCIC related equipment and documentation.
• Coordinates with the Access Integrity Unit of the Maine State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to ensure all security practices and records, related to the NCIC system, meet and federal standards.
• Interprets and evaluates Maine Department of Corrections facility standards, American Correctional Association facility standards, and Prison Rape Elimination Act facility standards in order to ensure protection of the public and provision of necessary inmate services.
• Interprets and applies all federal and state laws and accrediting agency standards in order to determine needed revisions to established county correctional facility policies, procedures and practices.
• Ensures that correctional staff are trained in and adhere to correctional compliance standards.
• Work to ensure successful re-accreditation by ACA.
• Investigates complaints and makes recommendations in order to resolve issues.
• Investigates unusual incidents in order to determine cause and recommend corrective action.
• Serves as the facility representative on the Somerset County Safety Committee.
• Responds to inmate requests and grievances.
• Ability to act as Shift Commander, if needed.
• Performs any and all other related duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL STANDARDS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by the incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to meet these physical standards.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to bend, lift, push, pull, utilize a standard computer keyboard, use a computer and touch screen devices, telephone, radio and protective devices.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job require close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Employee is required to operate a motor vehicle or other vehicle or equipment. Employee will frequently encounter inmates and must possess sufficient physical dexterity to employ necessary and lawful non-deadly physical force to address inmate resistance.

If authorized to use a firearm, must receive training and qualify in its use annually.

If authorized to use chemical agents, must receive training in their use and handling as required.

If authorized to use electronic equipment, must receive training in their use and handling as required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those the incumbent encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.  

REQUIREMENTS AND SKILLS NEEDED FOR THE POSITION:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s Degree highly desirable.
• Successful completion of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy Basic Corrections course or waiver.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience working as a Corrections Officer preferred (combination of higher education and experience acceptable).
• Understanding of direct supervision jail principles.
• Knowledge of Maine Department of Corrections, American Correctional Association, and Prison Rape Elimination Act standards.
• Previous employment in a direct supervision facility highly desirable.
• Ability to work with supervisory and other staff in a collaborative and effective manner.
• Commitment to running a safe and secure jail.
• Ability to remain composed in emergency situations.
• Commitment to accreditation and standards compliance.
• Certified in CPR or able to obtain certification.
• Capable of physically controlling violent, unruly members of the inmate population.
• Successful completion of the Maine Criminal Justice Training Academy certification requirements for trainers.
• Successful completion of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy Certified Terminal Operator certification course.

EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice or related field, or three (3) years of combined education and experience working in corrections with training and education in standards compliance.
• Safety Works Life Safety 101 or equivalent.
• Maine Criminal Justice Academy Methods of Instruction preferred.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience utilizing and field calibrating various scientific instruments and measuring devices.

REPORTS TO:                                                                    SUPERVISES:

Assistant Jail Administrator                                                None