Warden - Northampton County Jail

Summary

Job Description

The Warden position, under direction, is responsible for the administration, operation, and maintenance of the Northampton County penal facility. Work includes supervising and coordinating assigned internal prison activities, services, programs, and facilities as well as coordinating efforts of subordinate staff. This position is differentiated from those in related classes by the level of responsibility and oversight of Corrections operations, maintenance, and social service functions. This position reports directly to the Director of Corrections. This position is responsible for the supervision of all lower classifications in the Department of Corrections.

Essential duties of the position include formulating and executing plans for the effective utilization of available funds, personnel, equipment, materials, and supplies. Provides information and recommendations for prison goals, programs, policies, and operations. Develops procedures for the implementation of recommendations. Confers with lower-level supervisors about specific requirements, needs, and objectives. Identifies budget, staffing, material, and other needs for new or revised programs, operations, and systems. Develops justifications, statistics, and other information for use in submissions to other offices. Prepares program descriptions and plans, technical reports, and projections for use in discussion and/or adoption of programs. Assigns and reviews work through lower-level supervisory and working level personnel. Advises and assists with technical and administrative program and facility plans, progress, and problems affecting the institution. Reviews work programs, plans, technical reports, and administrative information submitted by subordinate supervisors. Drafts overall work programs and budgets from provided information. Reviews and analyzes proposed and enacted ordinances, regulations, legal decisions, and other issues from various sources to identify impact of price concerns. Determines alternative responses to such material and recommends course(s) of action. Coordinates responses to litigation, conferring with County and other legal and judicial personnel. Plans and administers effective utilization of the physical, financial, and personnel resources of the facility. Administers all elements of personnel function in accordance with County personnel system and applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Directs and controls development and subsequent administration of the budget. Conducts meetings with management and line staff. Inspects departments and operations. Reviews reports of operations and their outcomes to maintain control over the operation of the facility. Identifies sources, negotiates, and administers service agreements and contracts for the operation of the facility and its programs. Ensures development, maintenance, and reporting of inmate care, employment, rehabilitation programs, financial and other statistical and evaluative records. Identifies, recommends, and helps develop treatment and rehabilitation services within the prison that enables inmates to learn skills and behavior needed to successfully lead more productive and lawful lives in the community. Confers with officials and representatives from County and other offices and agencies regarding prison activities. Provides information and assistance with various situations and problems within the facility. Recommends actions, policies, and procedures affecting prison issues. Works with higher management levels to coordinate prison activities with those of County and other offices to ensure efficiency, economy, and effectiveness of services provided. Attends administrative, legislative, and other decision-making sessions. Provides information on topics under consideration. May attend civic organization, professional, and other meetings to represent Department of Corrections Administration.

Required minimum qualifications include completion of a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Social Services, Public Administration, or a closely related field. Note: full-time, progressive professional work experience in Corrections or institutional management may be substituted for the education requirement; and at least twelve (12) years of full-time professional work experience in Corrections, institutional management, criminal justice, or public administration. At least ten (10) of which must have been in the Corrections field and which must include at least six (6) years in a full-time supervisory position. As a post-offer, prerequisite for appointment, appointee must pass a criminal history check, a psychological exam, and a urine drug screen. Employee 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 the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). Employee will be required to stay aware of and adhere to PREA regulations and understand the circumstances of applicable Federal regulations.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include thorough knowledge of public administration principles and practices commonly employed in the operation, management, and control of a public institution. Thorough knowledge of Corrections goals, objectives, methods, and techniques applicable to the management of prison facilities and programs. Knowledge of modern prison rehabilitation methods and treatment programs including education, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, personal adjustment training, job training, and community employment. Knowledge of functions, organizations, rules, and requirements of the criminal justice system at all levels, and their effects on prison operations. Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices. Ability to organize, direct, and coordinate the activities of a staff of professional and technical personnel engaged in diverse security and program functions. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials and representatives of other agencies, prisoners, associates, and the public. Ability to express ideas and communicate County policy on technical and administrative subjects, both verbally and in writing. Ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English to perform the duties of this position.

Tools and equipment include telephone, cell phone, personal computer, calculator, radio, copy machine, fax machine, weapons as required, side handle baton, handcuffs, pager, and first-aid equipment. Physical demands include frequently walking, sitting, talking, and hearing. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to one hundred (100) pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment may occasionally involve working outside in weather conditions which may include rain or humidity, extreme cold, or extreme heat. May occasionally work near moving mechanical parts. May occasionally work in high, precarious places. May come in contact with fumes, airborne particles, bio-hazardous materials and waste, secondhand smoke, narcotics, and individuals with contagious diseases. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Selection guidelines include formal application, rating of education and experience, interview, and reference check as well as job related tests. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. FLSA status: Exempt (not eligible for overtime). Designation: Career Service Pay Grade: CS/GR35. Union status: Non-union. Updated July 2026.

Job Description

Job Description

The Warden position, under direction, is responsible for the administration, operation, and maintenance of the Northampton County penal facility. Work includes supervising and coordinating assigned internal prison activities, services, programs, and facilities as well as coordinating efforts of subordinate staff. This position is differentiated from those in related classes by the level of responsibility and oversight of Corrections operations, maintenance, and social service functions. This position reports directly to the Director of Corrections. This position is responsible for the supervision of all lower classifications in the Department of Corrections.

Essential duties of the position include formulating and executing plans for the effective utilization of available funds, personnel, equipment, materials, and supplies. Provides information and recommendations for prison goals, programs, policies, and operations. Develops procedures for the implementation of recommendations. Confers with lower-level supervisors about specific requirements, needs, and objectives. Identifies budget, staffing, material, and other needs for new or revised programs, operations, and systems. Develops justifications, statistics, and other information for use in submissions to other offices. Prepares program descriptions and plans, technical reports, and projections for use in discussion and/or adoption of programs. Assigns and reviews work through lower-level supervisory and working level personnel. Advises and assists with technical and administrative program and facility plans, progress, and problems affecting the institution. Reviews work programs, plans, technical reports, and administrative information submitted by subordinate supervisors. Drafts overall work programs and budgets from provided information. Reviews and analyzes proposed and enacted ordinances, regulations, legal decisions, and other issues from various sources to identify impact of price concerns. Determines alternative responses to such material and recommends course(s) of action. Coordinates responses to litigation, conferring with County and other legal and judicial personnel. Plans and administers effective utilization of the physical, financial, and personnel resources of the facility. Administers all elements of personnel function in accordance with County personnel system and applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Directs and controls development and subsequent administration of the budget. Conducts meetings with management and line staff. Inspects departments and operations. Reviews reports of operations and their outcomes to maintain control over the operation of the facility. Identifies sources, negotiates, and administers service agreements and contracts for the operation of the facility and its programs. Ensures development, maintenance, and reporting of inmate care, employment, rehabilitation programs, financial and other statistical and evaluative records. Identifies, recommends, and helps develop treatment and rehabilitation services within the prison that enables inmates to learn skills and behavior needed to successfully lead more productive and lawful lives in the community. Confers with officials and representatives from County and other offices and agencies regarding prison activities. Provides information and assistance with various situations and problems within the facility. Recommends actions, policies, and procedures affecting prison issues. Works with higher management levels to coordinate prison activities with those of County and other offices to ensure efficiency, economy, and effectiveness of services provided. Attends administrative, legislative, and other decision-making sessions. Provides information on topics under consideration. May attend civic organization, professional, and other meetings to represent Department of Corrections Administration.

Required minimum qualifications include completion of a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Social Services, Public Administration, or a closely related field. Note: full-time, progressive professional work experience in Corrections or institutional management may be substituted for the education requirement; and at least twelve (12) years of full-time professional work experience in Corrections, institutional management, criminal justice, or public administration. At least ten (10) of which must have been in the Corrections field and which must include at least six (6) years in a full-time supervisory position. As a post-offer, prerequisite for appointment, appointee must pass a criminal history check, a psychological exam, and a urine drug screen. Employee 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 the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). Employee will be required to stay aware of and adhere to PREA regulations and understand the circumstances of applicable Federal regulations.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include thorough knowledge of public administration principles and practices commonly employed in the operation, management, and control of a public institution. Thorough knowledge of Corrections goals, objectives, methods, and techniques applicable to the management of prison facilities and programs. Knowledge of modern prison rehabilitation methods and treatment programs including education, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, personal adjustment training, job training, and community employment. Knowledge of functions, organizations, rules, and requirements of the criminal justice system at all levels, and their effects on prison operations. Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices. Ability to organize, direct, and coordinate the activities of a staff of professional and technical personnel engaged in diverse security and program functions. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials and representatives of other agencies, prisoners, associates, and the public. Ability to express ideas and communicate County policy on technical and administrative subjects, both verbally and in writing. Ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English to perform the duties of this position.

Tools and equipment include telephone, cell phone, personal computer, calculator, radio, copy machine, fax machine, weapons as required, side handle baton, handcuffs, pager, and first-aid equipment. Physical demands include frequently walking, sitting, talking, and hearing. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to one hundred (100) pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment may occasionally involve working outside in weather conditions which may include rain or humidity, extreme cold, or extreme heat. May occasionally work near moving mechanical parts. May occasionally work in high, precarious places. May come in contact with fumes, airborne particles, bio-hazardous materials and waste, secondhand smoke, narcotics, and individuals with contagious diseases. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Selection guidelines include formal application, rating of education and experience, interview, and reference check as well as job related tests. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. FLSA status: Exempt (not eligible for overtime). Designation: Career Service Pay Grade: CS/GR35. Union status: Non-union. Updated July 2026.