Correctional Officer MAJOR; DPSCS K-9 Unit

Position: CORRECTIONAL OFFICER MAJOR (DPSCS K-9 Unit)

GRADE

CORR 0009

LOCATION OF POSITION

STATEWIDE

POSITION DUTIES

The main purpose of this job is to function as the senior Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services employee assigned to the DPSCS K9 Unit. This position has command responsibilities designed to provide unit continuity and direction under the authority of the Deputy Secretary of Correction.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Responsible for overall management and direction of the Unit.
• Develop K-9 Unit policy and interdiction strategy.
• Plan and coordinate response to critical events or problems.
• Provide guidance and direction to regional K-9 supervisors and handlers.
• Develop and review the Unit budget.
• Develop program for accountability and physical security of CDS.
• Review and approve staffing plans.
• Review and approve K-9 training program, ensuring compliance with Correctional Training Commission regulations.
• Ensure handlers meet administrative requirements, progressive and disciplinary counseling and evaluations.
• Ensure staff payroll, personnel files, and leave records are maintained.
• Review, process and prepare responses to unit correspondence in accordance with Division guidelines.
• Act as a direct liaison coordinating K-9 activities with allied agencies and institutional managers or wardens.
• Review all injury reports, investigate when necessary, and ensure corrective action is taken.
• Coordinate with DOC Risk Management Team Leader regarding status of injured employees.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Review administrative and interdiction reports completed by handlers and regional supervisors to ensure accuracy and compliance with policy.
• Report to Headquarters and direct staff capacity in coordinating K‑9 operations statewide.
• Directly supervise the Assistant K‑9 Commander and, through them, the remaining K‑9 supervisors, ensuring compliance with deployment, training, and heart‑care standards.
• Review performance evaluations of Operations Lieutenant/CRT Commander and K‑9 trainer.
• Conduct performance evaluation of the Assistant Commander.
• Control and monitor overtime usage.

Special Assignments

• Act in an advisory capacity during institutional events requiring an EOC.
• Respond to requests for service with allied agencies.
• Provide detailed reports and draft agency policy as requested.
• Be on 24‑hour availability.
• Testify in criminal and civil courts.
• Testify before legislative bodies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education:

High School diploma or high school equivalency certificate acceptable to the Maryland State Board of Education as described in the Correctional Training Commission regulation.

• Experience:

Two years of experience supervising the work of Correctional Officer Supervisors in the custody and security of adult inmates.

Notes:

• The above educational requirement is set by the Correctional Training Commission in accordance with Correctional Services Article, Section 8‑209.
• Candidates may substitute additional education at an accredited college or university for sixty credit hours for one year of the required experience, provided that a minimum of 15 credit hours are in the field of criminal justice or related social sciences.
• Candidates may substitute equivalent State experience in other classifications within the correctional field that involve daily contact with and custody of inmates for the required experience. Qualifying experience must be in a classification where the salary is comparable to Correctional Officer Captain.
• Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience in correctional classifications or correctional specialty codes in the criminal justice field of work equivalent to a Correctional Officer Captain on a year‑for‑year basis for the required experience.

LIMITATIONS ON SELECTION

This position is limited to current Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services employees who are eligible within the K‑9 unit.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must meet the selection…