Associate Correction Ombudsperson

Introduction

Are you passionate about serving the public and advancing justice and fairness for incarcerated individuals? If so, we encourage you to read the posting below and apply today!

The State of Connecticut, Office of Correction Ombuds (OCO), within the Office of Governmental Accountability (OGA), is currently seeking an Associate Correction Ombudsperson to assist the Correction Ombuds in all aspects of the Office's work. The Associate Ombuds plays a critical role within the agency and, pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. 18-81qq, assumes the role of Acting Correction Ombuds in the event of any vacancy.

What We Offer

• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees

Position Highlights

• Full time, 40 hours per week
• Monday through Friday
• Standard work hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, work hours may fluctuate based on operational needs, and the person may occasionally require work outside of standard business hours.
• Located at 55 Farmington Avenue in Hartford, CT 06105
• Candidates must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Hybrid opportunity, combination of in office and remote work, in accordance with the Telework Policy.
• Requires significant travel to correctional facilities, halfway houses, and other locations throughout Connecticut in connection with the Office's oversight responsibilities. A state-issued fleet vehicle is provided for official business and facility travel.

The Role

The Associate Correction Ombuds is a senior management position responsible for assisting the Correction Ombuds with the administration and operations of the office, supervising assigned staff, overseeing complaints and investigations, monitoring correctional facilities and programs, reviewing policies and practices, engaging with stakeholders, and developing findings and recommendations concerning Connecticut's correctional system. The position requires regular in-person work at the Office of the Correction Ombuds in Hartford and significant field work at correctional facilities, halfway houses, and other locations throughout Connecticut. Remote work may be available consistent with state policy and the operational needs of the Office.

• Assists the Correction Ombuds in directing the daily operations of the Office and implementing the Office’s statutory oversight responsibilities.
• Provides oversight for assigned correctional facilities, including complaint review, facility monitoring, investigations, follow-up, and identification of systemic concerns.
• Oversees matters involving halfway houses and community-based correctional programs, including complaints, conditions, services, policies, contracts, and operational concerns.
• Leads the Office’s independent oversight of compliance with the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), including review of complaints, investigations, policies, practices, audit findings, corrective actions, and systemic compliance concerns.
• Supervises and provides direction to staff as assigned by the Correction Ombuds.
• Conducts announced and unannounced visits to correctional facilities and other programs within the jurisdiction of the Office.
• Receives, reviews, and investigates complaints concerning conditions of confinement, treatment, programs, services, policies, practices, and other matters affecting individuals in Department of Correction custody.
• Leads and assists with complex and systemic investigations, including interviews and review of records, policies, video, data, incident reports, grievances, and other evidence.
• Reviews Department of Correction and contracted-provider policies, procedures, practices, and proposed changes and evaluates their impact on incarcerated individuals and Office oversight priorities.
• Develops investigative findings, recommendations, reports, correspondence, policy analyses, and other written work on behalf of the Office.
• Monitors implementation of Office recommendations and identifies recurring or systemic issues requiring additional review or intervention.
• Maintains relationships and coordinates with incarcerated individuals, family members, advocates, community organizations, service providers, correctional officials, state agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Represents the Office at meetings, hearings, working groups, public engagements, and other forums as assigned by the Correction Ombuds.
• Assists with the development and implementation of Office policies, procedures, strategic priorities, performance measures, and organizational initiatives.
• Participates in recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, and development of Office staff as assigned.
• Assumes responsibility for designated Office functions in the absence of the Correction Ombuds, as assigned and consistent with applicable law and Office procedures.

About Us

The Office of the Correction Ombuds is an independent oversight state agency within the Office of Governmental Accountability, established under Conn. Gen. Stat. 18-81qq to monitor conditions in Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC) facilities. The OCO promotes accountability, transparency, fairness, and the protection of the rights of individuals incarcerated within the Connecticut Department of Correction.

Watch the video below to see what it's like to be a State of CT employee!

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Acknowledgement

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

Purpose of Job Class (Nature of Work)

In the Office of the Correction Ombuds this class is accountable for directing the daily operations and staff of the agency.

Examples of Duties

• Directs staff and operations of the agency;
• Coordinates, plans and manages office activities;
• Formulates goals and objectives;
• Assists in the development of regulations, policies, and procedures;
• Assists in the investigation of complaints, reports, findings and recommendations;
• Evaluates staff;
• Provides staff training and assistance;
• Acts as primary liaison with other agencies, officials and third parties regarding agency policies and procedures;
• Prepares agency response to proposed rules and regulations;
• Prepares reports as directed by the Ombudsperson - Correction;
• Acts for the Ombudsperson - Correction in their absence;
• Represents agency at public functions and meetings;
• Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• May conduct inspection of facilities and programs;
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

• Considerable knowledge of
• and ability to apply management principles and practices;
• and ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
• issues related to services and supports of individuals who are incarcerated and/or on parole and their families;
• Considerable
• interpersonal skills;
• oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to use computers.

Minimum Qualifications – General Experience

Nine (9) years of experience advocating for the rights of individuals under the care and supervision of the Department of Correction and/or Board of Pardons and Parole.

Minimum Qualifications – Special Experience

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory capacity.

Minimum Qualifications – Substitutions Allowed

• College training in social work or a closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in social work, public policy or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
• Note: Closely related fields include criminal justice, human development and family relations, social and/or human services, and public administration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supervising staff and managing investigations, programs, operations, compliance activities, or organizational initiatives.
• Experience conducting investigations, compliance reviews, inspections, audits, or other fact-finding inquiries in correctional, governmental, institutional, legal, civil rights, or human-services settings.
• Experience interpreting or applying the Prison Rape Elimination Act, sexual abuse prevention requirements, victim-services requirements, or comparable institutional compliance standards.
• Experience working with correctional facilities, community corrections, halfway houses, reentry programs, incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals, or other justice-involved populations.
• Experience interpreting statutes, regulations, policies, contracts, or administrative requirements and preparing investigative findings, recommendations, reports, compliance analyses, or policy guidance.

Special Requirements

Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.