Chief Deputy Warden (CDW)

Job Description and Duties

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is seeking a seasoned correctional executive to serve as the  Chief Deputy Warden at Sierra Conservation Center (SCC)- an institution where custody operations, rehabilitation, and California's conservation mission converge.

Under the Warden's direction, the Chief Deputy Warden (CDW), will serve as the institution's second-in-command, providing executive oversight of daily operations, ensuring safe, secure, and efficient institutional performance. This role sets operational direction, strengthens organizational culture, and advances CDCR's mission of public safety through secure incarceration, rehabilitation, and successful community reintegration. 

This advertisement is for a Chief Deputy Administrator, Correctional Program, CEA position located in Tuolumne County.

Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application. If you have questions regarding this exciting opportunity, please contact the Executive Recruiter, Amber Wolff, by email at View email address on us.fitly.work or by phone at View phone number on us.fitly.work.

Please indicate the position number on your application: 099-261-9691-001.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Why Sierra Conservation Center - 
Sierra Conservation Center (SCC) is one of CDCR's most distinctive institutions, combining secure correctional operations with rehabilitation and California's nationally recognized Conservation Camp Program. SCC houses minimum - through high-medium custody incarcerated individuals and serves as the state's primary training center for incarcerated wildland firefighters in partnership with CAL FIRE. The institution oversees adult conservation camps throughout California and Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp, where participants support wildfire suppression, emergency response, conservation projects, and community service efforts that provide significant public benefit and cost savings. SCC is committed to preparing incarcerated individuals for successful reentry through education, career technical training, rehabilitative programming, and meaningful work assignments that promote personal growth, responsibility, and public safety.

Special Requirements

Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you should include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

Applicants who completed their education outside of the US (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of U.S. course/degree equivalency. Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at

Candidates new to CDCR/CCHCS are required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan Fingerprinting, as well as a Tuberculosis test/evaluation prior to appointment, followed by department annual Tuberculosis testing/evaluation thereafter.

When submitting supporting documents, PDF file format is preferred.

CDCR/CCHCS utilizes E-Verify to confirm candidate’s identity and employment authorization. For more information about E-Verify, you may go to .

This advertisement may be used for other vacancies that occur during the life of this recruitment.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Knowledge of: Organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; personnel management; a manager's/supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Ability to: Plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures, and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislative and Executive Branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; prepare and review reports; effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Administrative experience in a managerial capacity at least equivalent to a Facility Captain, Correctional Institution, or a Parole Administrator I, Adult Parole, including broad, administrative, or program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.

Knowledge of principles, techniques, and trends in incarcerated individual classification; parole and correctional casework; methods used and problems involved in the supervision and rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals/supervised persons/releasees; laws pertaining to prisons, probation, and parole; organization of the California Department of Corrections; functions and procedures of State, county, and local law enforcement agencies; principles and techniques of personnel management and supervision; and principles of organization, public administration, and budgeting.

Shall create and promote an equitable and inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated and valued.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website, , and the CalPERS website, .

Information on benefits afforded by membership in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System can be found on the CalHR Salary and Benefits website at .

Information on the benefits and protections provided to public employees by the State Civil Service Act can be found on the CalHR website at .

Additional benefit information can be found on the CalHR California State Civil Service

Employee Benefits Summary website at .

This webpage is intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base and length of appointment.

Peace Officer Requirements

This position is a peace officer position ; therefore, applicants are subject to meeting all the below peace officer requirements.

Work Status Requirement: Pursuant to Government Code 1031(a): In the state of California, individuals seeking employment as public officers or employees declared by law to be peace officers must be legally authorized to work in the United States under Federal Law. 

Felony Disqualification: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1029, persons convicted of a felony are disqualified from employment as peace officers except as provided under Welfare and Institutions Code, Division 2, Chapter 3, Article 8, Section 1179(b), or Division 2.5, Chapter 1, Article 4, Section 1772(b). Except as provided for by these statutes, persons convicted of a felony are ineligible to compete for, or be appointed to, positions in this class.

Firearm Conviction Disqualification: Anyone who is restricted for employment-related purposes from accessing, possessing, carrying, receiving, or having under his/her control a firearm or ammunition under all applicable state or federal laws is ineligible for appointment to any position in this classification.

Age Limitation – minimum age for appointment: 21 years.

Background Investigation: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1029.1, persons successful in peace officer examinations shall be required to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to appointment. Persons who have previously undergone a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation background investigation may be required to undergo only a partial background investigation.

Medical Requirement: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031, persons appointed to a peace officer class shall undergo a medical examination to determine that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job safely and effectively.

Training Requirements: Under provisions of Penal Code Section 832, successful completion of a training course in laws of arrest, search and seizure, firearms, and chemical agents is a requirement for permanent status in this classification.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Other - Current state employees must submit their most recent Employee Performance Evaluation and Individual Development Plan (IDP) (completed within the last 12 months).