Corrections Professional Responsibility Investigator

About the role

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 position reports directly to the Director of Corrections and does not supervise other employees.

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, including existing weaknesses noted.
• 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, background investigations on applicants for hire, 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, and 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, and conducts surveillance using technical investigation apparatus.
• Gathers and preserves evidence, completes all necessary documents for the conduct of administrative or criminal proceedings, and 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, and reviews policies to determine compliance of staff and inmates.
• Recommends revisions and changes based upon investigation, identifies administrative operational deficiencies to prevent future violations, and attends annual municipal police officers' education and training commission in-service training, law enforcement, and corrections-related training.
• Provides training to Corrections Supervisors and Officers in such areas as report writing, conducting investigations, preserving crime scenes, and other related topics.

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.
• 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.
• Act 120 certification is required, and 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.
• Must maintain annual certifications in First Aid, CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) and AED (Automated External Defibrillation).
• Must possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator's license and have an acceptable driving record.

Qualifications

Thorough knowledge of the principles and methods of criminal investigation, law enforcement, and corrections, as well as knowledge of the basic rules of evidence and applicable statutes, court decision interpretations.

Skills

Ability to analyze documents, obtain handwriting and typing samples, prepare graphs for court presentation, conduct surveillance, gather and preserve evidence, and testify, present, and defend evidence in criminal and administrative proceedings.