Job Specification

Purpose :

To lead and administer the overall operations, administration and programs of a large correctional facility to ensure public safety and the care, security and discipline of offenders.

To create and maintain an environment that supports and values systemic and anti-racist organizational change and is free of discrimination and harassment.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Provides leadership and strategic advice for the delivery of programs and services which support the care, custody, safety, accommodation and discipline of offenders within a regimented and contained institutional environment. Oversees the correctional supervision of offenders and the determination of offenders' actual length of stay in the institution, based on such factors as legal documentation, conduct, progress and participation in rehabilitative programs.
2. Develops and manages the institution's annual business plan, local priorities and standards consistent with the Ministry's and government strategic plan and directions for the correctional system and ensures adherence to legislative requirements, ministry regulations, policies, procedures. Participates as a member of the corporate and regional management team and provides input into strategic, operational, and program planning, budget development and administration, ministry policy, and issues management. Plans and facilitates effective collaboration and coordination of issues, programs and activities with ministry and agency colleagues, and other branches.
3. Oversees the development of performance standards that build performance improvement and accountability into facility operations and enable the ability to measure and track key indicators of performance.
4. Directs the mandatory and developmental training and development of staff through in-house and external training on an ongoing basis to ensure continuity of operations, compliance with Ministry policies and Health and Safety standards, to ensure succession planning, and to enhance the Ministry's mandate of community safety and security.
5. Leads and promotes the establishment of a strong adaptive culture where programs and operations are administered and delivered in an integrated and coordinated manner, communications are facilitated and organizational principles and values are effectively communicated, modelled and shared with staff and offenders.
6. Directs the implementation of security/safety systems to ensure the protection of the community. Plans and implements maintenance projects to ensure the physical plant is maintained to ensure a healthy and safe environment. Manages the establishment and maintenance of administrative procedures compatible with corporate systems for all transactions, records and documents.
7. Provides strategic advice on issues and challenges which impact the effectiveness of the institution. Briefs and provides recommendations to senior management on contentious issues that may have political implications or an impact on public safety. Provides leadership by supporting and valuing anti-racist and systemic change and eliminating harassment and discrimination within the institution.
Managerial Responsibilities
1. Develops and oversees ministry strategic plans in the program area and provides advice and expertise to executive levels on issues impacting the OPS and ministry service deliverables.
2. Controls financial resources and reporting, develops the multi-year budget and resource plans. Leads business, financial, and results-based planning processes for Ministry programs/operations and services.
3. Builds organizational capacity through effective human resources development by authorizing recruitment activities, labour relations management, talent management, organizational design and succession planning.
4. Establishes and maintains strong working relationships with key partners and stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate information flow and identification of issues; presents and advocates the ministry's position at various forums
5. Responsible for the overall compliance with legislative statutes, collective agreements, government and ministry policies, directives, guidelines and commitments related to programs and services.

Qualifications :

Not applicable.

Factors :

Knowledge :

Ministry strategic directions, policies, programs and service delivery models, to provide operational management of a program area, service or initiative, to determine and plan for program resource requirements and to ensure alignment of programs/projects with corporate, division and branch goals and objectives.

Human resources practices, policies, directives and collective agreements in relation to recruitment, training and development and labour relations to support an inclusive and engaged team; address employee issues and to support talent management.

Government and ministry financial and administrative procedures, to manage and control allocated financial and material resources, including developing annual budgets, and managing assets and contract service providers.

Expertise in project management principles and methodologies to manage the delivery of program plans, initiatives and goals.

Ministry strategic direction, business plans and service/program delivery models to ensure programs support ministry plans and directions.

Correctional institution management and organizational theory and principles to manage the care, custody and control of offenders within a correctional facility and to provide leadership and guidance to colleagues and staff on the content and application of theories and principles to daily institutional management.

Correctional policy, legislation, and ministry functions to interpret and operationalize within the institution.

Relevant legislation pertaining to occupational health and safety, human rights, and labour relations in order to respond to labour relations issues such as work refusals, conduct threat level assessments, respond to grievances, deal with staffing issues and contingency planning, and to ensure the rights of offenders are met.

Program Responsibility :

Responsible for leading the delivery of the overall operations, administration and programs of a correctional institution.

Responsible for ensuring adherence to legislative requirements, ministry regulations, policies, and procedures and that operations are consistent with the Ministry's and government's strategic plan and directions for the correctional system. Balances the operational requirements of the institution and the programs for the offender population. Assesses operational performance and performance issues and evaluates the effectiveness of current policies, standards and practices within the institution against standards.

Responsible for providing input to strategic, operational and program planning, budget development and administration. Maintains quality of operational activities by ensuring all programs are integrated and coordinated.

Responsible for overseeing all departments within the facility, managing institutional programming, healthcare services, facility maintenance, food services, records and office administration, and departmental compliance with all facility change initiatives.

Responsible for overseeing administrative operations for the facility, resolving escalated issues from Deputy Superintendents, and ensuring that changes to policies and procedures and resolutions to issues are communicated to Deputy Superintendents for dissemination and implementation throughout the facility.

Analytical Thinking :

Plans and manages the operations and programs of the institution and assesses the degree of risk to the public while maintaining the custody, treatment and rehabilitation of offenders.

On a daily basis, assesses and responds in a timely manner to all critical situations as they relate to offender crisis, staff relations, work refusals and illegal activities by offenders and staff. Assesses the results of crises and investigation reviews and makes recommendations. Crises situations that garner media attention require the ability to act under pressure to determine solutions to problems that are not straightforward and to communicate effectively in a manner that will not cause panic.

Identifies and assesses risk and makes recommendations to mitigate risks and respond effectively and efficiently to issues or concerns.

Planning / Coordinating :

Leads and manages multi-year strategic business/program/service plans including the deployment of resources (human and financial) to deliver programs and services.

Coordinates and leads the planning and implementation of organizational development and complex change initiatives for the program, service, project or initiative.

Plans and coordinates multiple deliverables with external and internal stakeholders, partners and consultants.

Leads and oversees the overall operations, administration and programming for a correctional institution, within a 24/7 environment by providing direction to Deputy Superintendents that are responsible for a variety of institutional programs and services as well operational oversight of correctional officers.

Ensures that all departments within the facility work together for the common goal of ensuring the care, custody, control of offenders as well as ensuring the rights and entitlements of offenders are met.

Provides input into strategic, operational, and program planning, budget development and administration, ministry policy, and issues management at a corporate level.

Develops institutional performance measures and evaluates the effectiveness of current policies, standards, and practices. Streamlines operations and ensures compliance with legislation, regulations and policies.

Leads the development of business continuity plans for including contingency plans to manage local operations in the event of a labour disruption. Provides for the seamless and integrated implementation of new/revised processes and procedures.

Leadership/Guidance :

Develops, builds and leads organizational capacity through positive and values based leadership, inclusive and engaged teams, and partnerships. Frames program vision and strategy for services, programs or operations.

Determines human resources and organizational needs for optimal performance and delivery of results and alignment with ministry objectives; leads talent management and succession planning; mentors employees; sets goals and performance standards.

Exercises managerial and strategic leadership accountability and authority in the areas of organizational design, recruitment and retention, talent management, labour relations and compensation related matters.

Independence of Action :

Reports to a senior level Director or higher and works within broad parameters and the strategic ministry/branch mandate, legislation, and strategic goals and directions.

Exercises considerable independence and judgment in the development of program/service plans including delivery/implementation to meet government and ministry strategic business objectives and priorities and in the provision of advice and recommendations to the Executive Committee, which is considered authoritative, and informs policy and program decisions.

Responsibilities undertaken are limited by the parameters of Ministry/Facility policy, procedures, guidelines, directives and legislation governing the custody and security of inmates.

Plans, implements and manages the institution, its programs and operations with consideration to the ministry's business plan, government direction and agenda for the correctional system and the impact on the facility, other facilities and the organization as a whole.

Assesses and manages institutional crisis situations with a full assessment of the degree of risk to public safety.

Balances the operational requirements of the institution and the programs for the offender population. Assesses operational performance and performance issues and evaluates the effectiveness of current policies, standards and practices within the institution against standards.

Interpersonal/Communication :

Communicates with senior regional and corporate ministry management to provide information, briefings and recommendations on contentious or sensitive operational, administrative and program issues within the institution.

Facilitates effective collaboration and coordination of issues, programs and activities with colleagues, Superintendents and Area Managers throughout the Province. Communicates a compelling vision and generates enthusiasm and commitment to the group's mission.

Liaises with representatives and/or officials of the judicial and law enforcement fields, parole and earned release boards, diverse community and social service agencies, Aboriginal, religious and cultural groups, school Boards and other educational institutions.

Discusses and promotes programs, develops cooperative efforts, provides guidance and resolve issues with offenders and their families.

Exchanges information and discusses matters of mutual concern with local government officials and counterparts in other federal/provincial jurisdictions.

Develops harmonious relationships with bargaining agents and manages labour relations issues.

Participates as a chair, co-chair or member of various committees, working groups and task forces.

Hosts media events with Deputy Minister and provides briefings on issues unique to the institution.

Physical Effort :

Occasional walking throughout the facility during shift. Occasional standing, sitting or lifting of light objects.

Sensory Effort :

Mental alertness is required regularly in being attentive to detail when adhering to policies, and standard operating procedures.

Requires ability to shift focus quickly between competing demands when dealing with crises situations that may garner media attention and have the potential to disrupt public safety (e.g. fires, evacuations, escape attempts, hunger strikes, etc.)

Working Conditions :

Work is conducted within a secure detention/custody facility setting that functions on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with exposure to erratic behavior, verbal abuse, and the potential for physical danger.

As senior decision maker for the institution, may be called in outside regularly scheduled hours for critical incidents that may garner media attention or cause a significant risk to the care and custody of inmates and/or constitute an immediate public safety concern.

Handles a variety of labour relations issues which are the product of working in a high risk environment where there may be work refusals, overcrowding, and a high frequency of lockdowns.

May be required to manage emergency medical crises and security breach situations, and contain and resolve emergency situations.