Warden
Job Title:
WardenCounty Name:
Westmoreland County
OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF JOB:
To plan, develop and implement policies and procedures for the overall efficient and orderly operation of the County Prison which are congruent with Title 37, federal x, PA DOC y, etc.; to ensure the care, custody, and control of the inmate population; to supervise and direct the work and the staff required of the prison.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:
1. Maintains overall order and security of prison, staff, and inmates.
2. Supervises the overall operation and staff of the County Prison and handles all personnel-related matters, including evaluations and disciplinary actions per the current union CBAs.
3. Interviews and makes recommendations to Prison Board for hiring of staff.
4. Develops and implements policies and procedures for the efficient operation of the overall prison to ensure a safe environment for incarcerated individuals.
5. Initiates budget forecasts and submits budgets for review and approval; oversees approved expenditures
6. Conducts frequent inspections of the facility and recommends corrective action where necessary.
7. Meets and consults with employees and union as needed. Conducts disciplinary hearings.
8. Ensures that all staff receive proper training; conducts training when appropriate, develops new training programs, all within the context of PA DOC, Title 37, boogeymen, etc.
9. Attends meetings, makes recommendations and provides reports as requested.
10. Develops and submits new policies to the Prison Board for approval as required.
11. Directs the implementation of Computer Operations for the Prison.
12. Interacts regularly with police agencies, probation agencies, attorneys, County personnel, general public, and the Prison Board in regard to essential job duties.
12a Interacts as needed with other County Departments, not limited to Human Resources, Fiscal Office, Solicitors’ Office, Controllers’ Office, Purchasing Department.
13. Participates in various committees and community programs which interact with Prison operations.
14. Facilitates regular staff meetings to disseminate prison information and gather feedback from employees.
15. Monitors and administers the inmates’ medical program.
OTHER JOB DUTIES:
1. Attend meetings, seminars, and training as necessary.
2. Perform other job-related duties as required.
3. Assist Department of Corrections Prison Inspector as necessary.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Receives limited instruction/supervision from the Prison Board in regard to daily work duties.
SUPERVISION GIVEN:
Supervises entire prison staff.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
1. Works indoors in adequate workspace, lighting, ventilation, and temperatures.
2. Works indoors with average exposure to noise, but with frequent disruptions and potential stress.
3. Normal indoor exposure to dust & dirt.
4. Subject to working on-call or on as-needed basis (on-call 24 hours/7 days).
5. Works daily with potentially volatile, hostile, or aggressive inmates and staff.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CONDITIONS:
QUALIFICATIONS:
To do this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. 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. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
A. EDUCATION/TRAINING
Bachelor's Degree in Administration of Justice or related field, plus some supervisory and computer training. First aid and CPR training required.
B. WORK EXPERIENCE
8-10 years working experience in a correctional institution, with a demonstrated 5 years at the senior supervisory level.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
1. Must be able to speak and understand the English language in order to carry out essential job duties.
2. Must possess initiative and problem-solving skills.
3. Must possess effective communication and interpersonal skills.
4. Must possess the ability to function independently, have flexibility and the ability to work effectively with inmates, co-workers, administrative staff of the County, and elected officials on the Prison Board or Board of Commissioners and others.
5. Must possess ability to maintain confidentiality regarding inmates and County information and records.
6. Must possess the ability to make sound, independent decisions that align with Title 37, etc. when circumstances warrant such action.
7. Must possess a thorough knowledge of the County and Prison policies and procedures and operation and the ability to apply same to job duties.
8. Must possess a technical knowledge of the legal standards and regulations governing the security and operation at a correctional institution. I think we should spell out those things.
9. Must possess knowledge of principles and practices of effective supervision, especially as it relates to prison staff and union workers.
10. Must possess the ability to assign and review work of subordinates.
10a. Must possess the ability to hold staff accountable and work with Human Resources to move up the disciplinary steps with attention to union contracts or non-union procedures advised by Human Resources and Solicitors.
11. Must possess the ability to make appropriate recommendations concerning revisions to policies/procedures.
12. Must possess a knowledge of behavior patterns of inmates and ability to respond in appropriate and correct manner.
13. Must possess excellent analytical ability and be able to develop and implement policies and procedures for maximum prison efficiency and safety.
14. Must possess excellent time management and organizational skills.
15. Knowledge and understanding of computer applications helpful.
To plan, develop and implement policies and procedures for the overall efficient and orderly operation of the County Prison which are congruent with Title 37, federal x, PA DOC y, etc.; to ensure the care, custody, and control of the inmate population; to supervise and direct the work and the staff required of the prison.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:
1. Maintains overall order and security of prison, staff, and inmates.
2. Supervises the overall operation and staff of the County Prison and handles all personnel-related matters, including evaluations and disciplinary actions per the current union CBAs.
3. Interviews and makes recommendations to Prison Board for hiring of staff.
4. Develops and implements policies and procedures for the efficient operation of the overall prison to ensure a safe environment for incarcerated individuals.
5. Initiates budget forecasts and submits budgets for review and approval; oversees approved expenditures
6. Conducts frequent inspections of the facility and recommends corrective action where necessary.
7. Meets and consults with employees and union as needed. Conducts disciplinary hearings.
8. Ensures that all staff receive proper training; conducts training when appropriate, develops new training programs, all within the context of PA DOC, Title 37, boogeymen, etc.
9. Attends meetings, makes recommendations and provides reports as requested.
10. Develops and submits new policies to the Prison Board for approval as required.
11. Directs the implementation of Computer Operations for the Prison.
12. Interacts regularly with police agencies, probation agencies, attorneys, County personnel, general public, and the Prison Board in regard to essential job duties.
12a Interacts as needed with other County Departments, not limited to Human Resources, Fiscal Office, Solicitors’ Office, Controllers’ Office, Purchasing Department.
13. Participates in various committees and community programs which interact with Prison operations.
14. Facilitates regular staff meetings to disseminate prison information and gather feedback from employees.
15. Monitors and administers the inmates’ medical program.
OTHER JOB DUTIES:
1. Attend meetings, seminars, and training as necessary.
2. Perform other job-related duties as required.
3. Assist Department of Corrections Prison Inspector as necessary.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Receives limited instruction/supervision from the Prison Board in regard to daily work duties.
SUPERVISION GIVEN:
Supervises entire prison staff.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
1. Works indoors in adequate workspace, lighting, ventilation, and temperatures.
2. Works indoors with average exposure to noise, but with frequent disruptions and potential stress.
3. Normal indoor exposure to dust & dirt.
4. Subject to working on-call or on as-needed basis (on-call 24 hours/7 days).
5. Works daily with potentially volatile, hostile, or aggressive inmates and staff.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CONDITIONS:
Must possess ability to record, convey, and present information.
- Explain procedures and follow instructions.
- Must be able to sit for long periods throughout the workday, with intermittent periods of standing, walking, bending, twisting, and reaching as necessary to carry out job duties.
- Dexterity requirements range from simple to coordinated movements of fingers and hands; feet/legs; and torso as necessary to carry out job duties.
- Light work with occasional lifting/carrying of objects with a maximum weight of 10 pounds.
- Must be able to cope with the physical, mental, and emotional stress of the job.
- Maintains emotional stability during stressful situations.
- Must be able to pay close attention to details and concentrate on work.
QUALIFICATIONS:
To do this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. 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. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
A. EDUCATION/TRAINING
Bachelor's Degree in Administration of Justice or related field, plus some supervisory and computer training. First aid and CPR training required.
B. WORK EXPERIENCE
8-10 years working experience in a correctional institution, with a demonstrated 5 years at the senior supervisory level.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
1. Must be able to speak and understand the English language in order to carry out essential job duties.
2. Must possess initiative and problem-solving skills.
3. Must possess effective communication and interpersonal skills.
4. Must possess the ability to function independently, have flexibility and the ability to work effectively with inmates, co-workers, administrative staff of the County, and elected officials on the Prison Board or Board of Commissioners and others.
5. Must possess ability to maintain confidentiality regarding inmates and County information and records.
6. Must possess the ability to make sound, independent decisions that align with Title 37, etc. when circumstances warrant such action.
7. Must possess a thorough knowledge of the County and Prison policies and procedures and operation and the ability to apply same to job duties.
8. Must possess a technical knowledge of the legal standards and regulations governing the security and operation at a correctional institution. I think we should spell out those things.
9. Must possess knowledge of principles and practices of effective supervision, especially as it relates to prison staff and union workers.
10. Must possess the ability to assign and review work of subordinates.
10a. Must possess the ability to hold staff accountable and work with Human Resources to move up the disciplinary steps with attention to union contracts or non-union procedures advised by Human Resources and Solicitors.
11. Must possess the ability to make appropriate recommendations concerning revisions to policies/procedures.
12. Must possess a knowledge of behavior patterns of inmates and ability to respond in appropriate and correct manner.
13. Must possess excellent analytical ability and be able to develop and implement policies and procedures for maximum prison efficiency and safety.
14. Must possess excellent time management and organizational skills.
15. Knowledge and understanding of computer applications helpful.
Posting Date:
Monday, September 14, 2026
Expiration Date:
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Contact Name:
Lacey Perry
Phone:
(724) 830-3014