What are the responsibilities and job description for the Corrections Professional Responsibility Investigator position at Northampton County?
**GENERAL PURPOSE**
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.
**SUPERVISION RECEIVED**
This position reports directly to the Director of Corrections
**SUPERVISION EXERCISED**
This position is not responsible for the supervision of other employees.
**ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION**
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. (Employee incidents that do not involve inmates such as discrimination claims, harassment, workplace violence, bullying, staff on staff conflict, etc., will be handled by the Department of Human Resources.)
Provides the Director of Corrections, and appropriate staff, with all facts and information gathered during each investigated incident. Reports will include existing weaknesses noted. The Director of Corrections will recommend and/or determine the appropriate disciplinary action to be taken, if any.
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. This may include criminal or civil liabilities, incidents/occurrences which are controversial, or are unusual to the point they require the Director of Corrections' attention.
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.
Prepares and files background investigations on applicants for hire in the Department of Corrections. Coordinates, examines, and evaluates fingerprints and N.C.I.C.
Collects, evaluates, and develops evidence. Prepares for presentation to prosecuting officials.
Prepares 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 such as personnel, inmate, medical, criminal history, and financial.
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.
Conducts surveillance using technical investigation apparatus such as electronic and photographic equipment of all types.
Gathers and preserves evidence through interviews, telephone monitoring, surveillance, and cell searches.
Completes all necessary documents for the conduct of administrative or criminal proceedings.
Testifies, presents, and defends evidence in criminal and administrative proceedings. Proceedings may result in taking and sustaining disciplinary action such as pre-disciplinary counseling, unemployment, County Career Service hearings and arbitrations. May work in conjunction with Human Resources/DA's Office for some of these duties.
Directs investigators and coordinates activities of personnel from other state agencies necessary to an investigation.
Assists other law enforcement agencies with investigations.
Reviews policies to determine compliance of staff and inmates. Recommends revisions and changes based upon investigation.
Identifies administrative operational deficiencies to prevent future violations.
Attends annual municipal police officers' education and training comm ssion in-service training, law enforcement, and corrections-related training, as well as mandatory firearms qualification.
Provides training to Corrections Supervisors and Officers in such areas as report writing, conducting investigations, preserving crime scenes, and other related topics.
May be required to perform the work of other assigned investigators consistent with operational or organizational requirements.
Maintains files and records as assigned.
**EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE** - Completion of a high school, or general equivalency diploma; **AND**
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; **AND**
Act 120 certification is required; **AND**
Must maintain annual certifications in First Aid, CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) and AED (Automated External Defibrillation); **AND**
Employee assigned to this title will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator's license. Must have an acceptable driving record.
**KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES**
Thorough knowledge of the principles and methods of criminal investigation, law enforcement, and corrections.
Knowledge of the basic rules of evidence.
Knowledge of the applicable statutes, court decision interpretations, and administrative rulings pertaining to violations of state law.
Knowledge of PREA, gang intelligence, and the process of field-testing suspected drug like substances.
Skill in the use of technical investigation equipment.
Ability to interpret and apply the Department of Correction's Code of Ethics/Conduct.
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.
**SUPERVISION RECEIVED**
This position reports directly to the Director of Corrections
**SUPERVISION EXERCISED**
This position is not responsible for the supervision of other employees.
**ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION**
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. (Employee incidents that do not involve inmates such as discrimination claims, harassment, workplace violence, bullying, staff on staff conflict, etc., will be handled by the Department of Human Resources.)
Provides the Director of Corrections, and appropriate staff, with all facts and information gathered during each investigated incident. Reports will include existing weaknesses noted. The Director of Corrections will recommend and/or determine the appropriate disciplinary action to be taken, if any.
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. This may include criminal or civil liabilities, incidents/occurrences which are controversial, or are unusual to the point they require the Director of Corrections' attention.
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.
Prepares and files background investigations on applicants for hire in the Department of Corrections. Coordinates, examines, and evaluates fingerprints and N.C.I.C.
Collects, evaluates, and develops evidence. Prepares for presentation to prosecuting officials.
Prepares 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 such as personnel, inmate, medical, criminal history, and financial.
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.
Conducts surveillance using technical investigation apparatus such as electronic and photographic equipment of all types.
Gathers and preserves evidence through interviews, telephone monitoring, surveillance, and cell searches.
Completes all necessary documents for the conduct of administrative or criminal proceedings.
Testifies, presents, and defends evidence in criminal and administrative proceedings. Proceedings may result in taking and sustaining disciplinary action such as pre-disciplinary counseling, unemployment, County Career Service hearings and arbitrations. May work in conjunction with Human Resources/DA's Office for some of these duties.
Directs investigators and coordinates activities of personnel from other state agencies necessary to an investigation.
Assists other law enforcement agencies with investigations.
Reviews policies to determine compliance of staff and inmates. Recommends revisions and changes based upon investigation.
Identifies administrative operational deficiencies to prevent future violations.
Attends annual municipal police officers' education and training comm ssion in-service training, law enforcement, and corrections-related training, as well as mandatory firearms qualification.
Provides training to Corrections Supervisors and Officers in such areas as report writing, conducting investigations, preserving crime scenes, and other related topics.
May be required to perform the work of other assigned investigators consistent with operational or organizational requirements.
Maintains files and records as assigned.
- An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description. Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. 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.*
**EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE** - Completion of a high school, or general equivalency diploma; **AND**
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; **AND**
Act 120 certification is required; **AND**
Must maintain annual certifications in First Aid, CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) and AED (Automated External Defibrillation); **AND**
Employee assigned to this title will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator's license. Must have an acceptable driving record.
- BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION** - As a post-offer, prerequisite for appointment, appointees must pass a criminal history check.
- PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION** - As a post-offer, prerequisite for appointment, appointees must pass a psychological examination.
- URINE DRUG SCREEN** - As a post-offer, prerequisite for appointment, appointees must pass a urine drug screen.
**KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES**
Thorough knowledge of the principles and methods of criminal investigation, law enforcement, and corrections.
Knowledge of the basic rules of evidence.
Knowledge of the applicable statutes, court decision interpretations, and administrative rulings pertaining to violations of state law.
Knowledge of PREA, gang intelligence, and the process of field-testing suspected drug like substances.
Skill in the use of technical investigation equipment.
Ability to interpret and apply the Department of Correction's Code of Ethics/Conduct.