State of New Jersey
       
Department of Corrections
"Protecting Public Safety by Changing Offender Behavior"
Commissioner
                         Victoria L. Kuhn, Esq.
NJDOC

Careers in Corrections

The New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) is an equal opportunity employer. As the second largest employer in state government, the Department is home to approximately 10,000 employees.

The Department of Corrections hires employees for both custody and civilian jobs from Civil Service certification lists, which are compiled through testing.

To successfully carry out its mission, the Department offers a wide variety of career opportunities in both administrative and operational areas including:

The listing below is just a sampling of the types of positions that may become available.

Business Management
Carpenters
Chaplains
Clerks
Communications Operators
Correction Officers
Data Entry Computer Specialists
Electricians
Engineers
Institutional Trade Instructors
Maintenance
Personnel Administration
Plumbers
Recreation
Secretaries
Social Workers
Teachers
Truck Drivers

Benefits Offered

  • 12 Vacation Days
  • 15 Sick Days
  • 3 Administrative Leave Days
  • Vision Care Reimbursement
  • Health and Dental Benefits
  • Prescription Drug Plan
  • Retirement Plans
  • Life Insurance
  • Deferred Compensation Plan
  • Paid Leave for Annual Military Training

NJDOC is an equal opportunity employer.

Custody and Civilian Recruitment
The Department of Corrections hires employees for both custody and civilian jobs from Civil Service certification lists, which are compiled through testing.


Current job postings:

Position Posting Date Closing Date
Information Technology Assistant (COHQ)3/1/20243/22/2024
Information Technology Specialist (COHQ)3/1/20243/15/2024
Legal Specialist, Managing Attorney (COHQ)3/1/20243/15/2024
Assistant Food Service Supervisor 1 (EJSP)3/1/20243/15/2024
Communications Operator Trainee (SWSP)3/1/20243/15/2024
Institutional Trade Instructor 2, Welding (EMCF)3/1/20243/15/2024
Auditor Accountant Trainee (EMCF)3/1/20243/15/2024
Senior Clerk Typist (SWSP)3/1/20243/15/2024
Technical Assistant, Classification (EMCF)3/1/20243/15/2024
Senior Clerk Typist (SWSP)3/1/20243/15/2024
Legal Specialist (COHQ)3/1/20243/15/2024
Clerk Typist (ADTC)3/15/20244/1/2024
Supervisor of Educational Programs 1 (GSYCF)3/15/20244/1/2024
Teacher 1, 2, 3, 12 Months (BSP)3/15/20244/1/2024
Crew Supervisor, Electricians (GSYCF)3/15/20244/1/2024
Institutional Trade Instructor 1, Cooking (GSYCF)3/15/20244/1/2024
Education Program Assistant 2 (GSYCF)3/15/20244/1/2024
Administrative Analyst 4, Fiscal Management (MSCF)3/15/20244/1/2024
Quality Assurance Specialist, Health Services (All Regions)3/8/20243/22/2024
Senior Repairer (COHQ)3/8/20243/22/2024
Accountant 1 (COHQ)3/8/20243/22/2024
Program Support Specialist 3, Assistance Programs (EMCF)3/8/20243/22/2024
Senior Clerk Typist (SWSP)3/8/20243/22/2024
Technical Assistant (COHQ)3/8/20243/22/2024
Operating Engineer Repairer (EJSP)3/8/20243/22/2024
Director 1, Education (COHQ)3/8/20243/22/2024
Storekeeper 2 (NSP)3/8/20243/22/2024
Classification Officer 1 (NSP)3/8/20243/22/2024
Senior Operator, Refrigeration Services (EMCF)3/8/20243/22/2024



Corrections Officers

Interested? Why wait, Schedule Now!

Mission

The mission of the New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) is to protect the public by operating safe, secure, and humane correctional facilities. The mission is realized through effective supervision, proper classification, appropriate treatment of offenders, and by providing services that promote successful reentry into society.

Dedication, Honor, Integrity

Responsibilities
The New Jersey State Correctional Police Officer is responsible for ensuring the custody, safety, and care of incarcerated individuals confined in State correctional facilities. Join the ranks of the largest law enforcement agency in New Jersey, working to improve safety in our communities.

Goals

  • To provide public safety and security through the custody and management of those individuals incarcerated within the criminal justice system.
  • To ensure the safety and welfare of the staff and incarcerated population.
  • To assist in the rehabilitative efforts for those incarcerated individuals returning to the community.
  • To promote public support for the operation and objectives of the Department of Corrections.

Salary and Compensation
Correctional Police Officer’s Salary starts at $48,000 with the potential to earn up to $99,489.62. Annual uniform allowance of $2,200.00 paid semiannually.

Tuition Aid Program is available.

Benefits
Health benefits are provided through the State Health Benefits Program, Dental Care, Eye Care, membership in the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS), and Life Insurance Benefits.

Time Off and Sick Leave
NJDOC provides generous vacation and sick leave options, including:

State Holidays: 13 days
Vacation Time:

  • One working day of vacation for each month of employment during the first calendar year of employment
  • 12 working days of vacation, 1-5 years of service
  • 15 working days of vacation, 6-12 years of service
  • 20 working days of vacation, 13-20 years of service
  • 25 working days of vacation after 20th year of service

Administrative Leave Days: Three days of administrative leave of absence pay in each calendar year

Sick Leave: Accumulation of sick leave as earned on the basis of 1 day per month of service. Permanent employees starting with the second year of service are entitled to 15 days of sick leave.

Military Service Leave

Requirements

  • Education: High school diploma or its equivalent. Candidates must read and write English sufficiently to perform the duties of the position;
  • Age: Minimum of 18 years of age;
  • Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States and a resident of the State of New Jersey;
  • License: Candidates will be required to possess a valid New Jersey driver’s license. Candidates for this position must be eligible to possess a firearm in accordance with State and Federal laws;
  • Background: Investigation of candidates’ employment history, driving history, domestic violence history, and criminal history are conducted; and
  • Medical: Candidates will be given a thorough medical and psychological examination. They must provide urine samples for analysis to determine drug use.

Pre-Employment Processing
A candidate will receive notice from the Department of Corrections to report for pre-employment processing, which consists of the following:

Phase 1 & 2 - Completion of an employment application, computer background check, written psychological examination, fingerprinting for a background investigation, and urinalysis testing for drug screening.

Phase 3 - Background investigation that includes personal interviews and visits to your residence and/or place of work.

Phase 4 - When vacancies occur, those candidates who have successfully completed Phases 1, 2, and 3 will be notified to report for Phase 4 processing which includes the following: A medical exam (e.g. blood, vision, hearing test, chest x-ray, and EKG) and an interview conducted by a psychologist based on the written examination completed during Phase 2.

Candidates who pass the previously noted requirements will be appointed as Correctional Police Officer Apprentice and will be required to satisfactorily complete a 19-week, in-residence NJ Police Training Commission course at the Correctional Staff Training Academy. While in training, candidates will be paid bi-weekly based upon an annual salary of $34,000.

Those who successfully complete the training program will be appointed as Correctional Police Officer and will serve a one-year working test period. Upon satisfactory completion of the working test period, candidates will be promoted to Senior Correctional Police Officer and serve a four-month working test period. The academy training is comprised of three areas of training.

Physical Fitness
The Physical Education and Self-Defense Program emphasizes physical conditioning, which includes running and various strength building exercises.

NJ Police Training Commission Physical Training Assessment
24 pushups in 1 minute
28 sit-ups in one minute
15 inch vertical jump
300 meter run in 70.1 seconds
1.5 mile run in 15 minutes 55 seconds

Academics
The Academic portion of the Academy training will include a college-level course of studies such as psychological and sociological issues, Language and Communications skills, Criminal Law, Constitutional Issues, Correctional and Police Practice procedures, etc. There will be comprehensive examinations and written assignments.

Firearms Training
Firearms Training includes firearms safety and weapon qualifications.

Opportunity for Career Advancement
In addition to staffing nine facilities throughout the state, NJDOC has numerous positions for career advancement, including opportunities available to Senior Correctional Police:

  • Central Transportation
    • Interstate Transport Unit
    • Transportation Unit
    • Central Medical Unit
  • Division of Training, Recruitment, and Professional Development
    • Ceremonial Unit / Honor Guard Teams
    • Recruitment Unit
    • In-Service Training Unit
    • Correctional Staff Training Academy
  • Special Operations Group
    • Tactical Teams
    • Hazmat Unit
    • Firearms Unit
    • Emergency Management Unit
    • Critical Incident Negations Team
    • K-9 Unit
    • Designated Marksman Team
  • Special Investigations Division
    • Drug Interdiction Unit
    • Corrections Intelligence Center
    • Fugitive Unit
    • Technical Services Unit
    • Special Victims Unit

Applications
NJDOC is now accepting applications for the position of Correctional Police Officer through August 30, 2022. Get your career started today and schedule an appointment to meet with NJDOC recruitment staff.

For Civil Service Job Vacancies
Call (609) 777-0916

For General Information contact
NJ Civil Service Commission (609) 292-4144

Department of Corrections
Custody Recruitment Unit (609) 826-5628

A Listing of Government Jobs can be found on the NJ Civil Service Commission web site.

Department of Labor Home Page
http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/

Visit New Jersey Career Connections http://careerconnections.nj.gov/

Find the nearest NJ State One-Stop Career Center office for various free employment and training services at:

http://careerconnections.nj.gov/careerconnections/plan/support/njccsites/one_stop_career_centers.shtml

Background
The Office of Transitional Services (OTS) is the department’s internal office responsible for ensuring that NJDOC facility social services are coordinated in a manner consistent with national standards for reentry, social work and case management practice. The goal of OTS is to implement a seamless continuum of care for offenders utilizing cost efficient well-proven behavioral science practices system wide to increase offenders’ abilities and their motivation to demonstrate responsible crime free behavior. Through intensive evidence based programming, offenders are provided with the tools necessary to become productive members of the community.

Academic Requirements
Internship or “field placement” opportunities are available to candidates who are in a Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) or Masters of Social Work (MSW) program. Field placement assignments are available at selected facilities in which the Social Work Supervisor (SWS) is currently certified in the Seminar In Field Instructions (SIFI) and in certain instances, possess an active LSW or LCSW with the State of New Jersey.

Social Work Learning Contracts are required for the academic semester/year (Fall and Spring Semesters). The Learning Contract is to be written by the field instructor after meeting with the student to discuss the goals and assignments for the academic year. The goals and assignments are based on the BSW and/or MSW Program’s advanced competencies.

Students must be able to apply ethical principles to guide professional practice and clearly demonstrate social work core values and have an understanding of the National Association of Social Work (NASW) Code of Ethics.

Description of Learning Assignments/Opportunities:
The student should be assigned learning opportunities which build on first year roles and skills of enabler, broker, advocate, and coordinator while providing the opportunities to develop second year roles of case management at the advanced level. Therefore students may be given the following social work assignments:

1. Conducting inmate intake assessments using DOC Intake/Discharge Assessments, and other standardized instruments.
2. Engaging inmates and developing program plans for incarceration and program registration.
3. Group session observation and/or co-facilitation where appropriate skill set has been clearly established and demonstrated by student.
4. Community resource development and implementation for the inmates’ transition and
reentry plan.

Additional Learning Objectives include but are not limited to:

Policy development, program development, group participant recruiting, organizational analysis, and leadership skills building, ethical decision making, use of empathy, client boundaries, culture diversity and sensitivity, case documentation and effective written communication, etc.

BSW/MSW Field Placement for non-NJDOC Employees:

All requests for field placement for students who are not currently employed with the department must be received at minimum 45 days prior to the start of the semester. Students must pass all DOC medical and security clearance consisting of a criminal background check and fingerprinting. Students must be able and willing to travel to correctional facilities located throughout the state (within reason), as well as to Central Office Headquarters, Trenton, NJ to attend weekly supervision meetings (where applicable). The University must also complete the Agreement to Cooperatively Provide Educational Services: Student Internship Programs, for each student.

BSW/MSW Field Placement for current NJDOC Employees:

NJDOC employees requesting to conduct field placement hours with the department must follow appropriate procedures through their university to secure dual work site/field placement approval. Assignments under the field placement must differ and/or be in addition to the employee’s normal work duties and responsibilities, as to provide an enriching well rounded learning experience for the student. Dual DOC staff/students may be required to complete additional hours, evenings 4p-6p, and travel to additional correctional facilities/offices in order receive academic credit and complete the required number of field placement hours per semester. Time spent completing the required field placement hours are not entitled to compensation time.

Dual DOC staff/students must be current on all work assignments, and in good standing with the department. The current supervisor must also provide a letter of recommendation indicating their approval of the employee’s involvement in the dual process. The university must also complete the Agreement to Cooperatively Provide Educational Services: Student Internship Programs, for each student.

All requests for internships in Social Work Practice must be approved by the Director of the Office of Transitional Services.

For more information about the MSW/ BSW internship experience please contact:

NJDOC-Office of Transitional Services
Field Placement Coordinator
609-826-5632

The mission of the Equal Employment Division (EED) is to proactively promote a positive and diverse work environment free from discrimination and harassment which encompasses the ideals of fairness, respect, and equality of opportunity for all NJDOC employees and agents who conduct business with the Department.

It is the law in the State of New Jersey and the Policy of the NJDOC that no employee shall be discriminated against or harassed on the basis of affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, ancestry, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, color, creed, disability, familial status, liability for military service, marital/civil union status, national origin/nationality, race, religion, retaliation (for having filed or participated in a previous EED complaint), sex/gender (including pregnancy), sexual harassment or domestic partnership status. Please see the policies in the "Policies and Forms" section to the right for more information. Please refer to "EED the Law" section below for specific definitions of each protected category.

It is the responsibility of the EED to investigate complaints regarding discrimination, harassment and/or retaliation against protected categories, in a timely and efficient manner.  It is also the responsibility of the EED to provide a timely and appropriate determination letter in each matter before the EED.

If you believe that you have been the victim of employment discrimination, which includes harassment and/or retaliation, you may complete the complaint form provided.  The completed form may be filed with the Associate/Assistant Superintendent Liaison (ASL) at your facility (as set forth in the ASL contact list) or filed directly with the EED at the following address:  NJDOC, Equal Employment Division, Whittlesey Road, PO Box 863, Trenton, NJ 08625.

Contact EED

New Jersey Department of Corrections
Equal Employment Division
Whittlesey Road
P.O. Box 863
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
(609) 292-4036 x 5668


ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATORS/ ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT LIAISONS

Institution ASL Title Phone #
ADTC Crystal Raupp Assistant Superintendent 732-574-2250 x1-8001
BSP Thurman Miller Assistant Superintendent 856-785-0040 x3-5109
COHQ El-Rhonda Alston Director of EED 609-826-5668
EJSP Atia Berryman Assistant Superintendent 732-499-5010 x1-2704
EMCF Taquila Rios Assistant Superintendent 908-735-7111 x1-3606
GSRC Lisa Schofield Assistant Superintendent 609-298-6300 x2-2009
MSCF Sandy Hassan Assistant Superintendent 609-723-4221 x2-8653
NJSP Garyn Nathan Assistant Superintendent 609-292-9700 x2-4603
NSP Christopher Ilg Assistant Superintendent 973-465-0068 x1-4117
SSCF El-Rhonda Alston Director EED 609-826-5668
SWSP Christopher Cline Assistant Superintendent 856-459-7000 x3-8210
CSTA/COTA Melissa DiGregorio Executive Assistant 732-282-6020 x2-5721

THE LAW

It is the law in the State of New Jersey and the policy of the New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) that no employee shall be discriminated against or harassed on the basis of affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, ancestry, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, color, creed, disability, familial status, liability for military service, marital/civil union status, national origin/nationality, pregnancy, race, religion, retaliation (for having filed or participated in a previous discrimination complaint), sex/gender, sexual harassment or domestic partnership status.

It is also the law in the State of New Jersey and the policy of NJDOC that no employee shall be retaliated against for opposing policies or practices within the NJDOC that the employee believes to be discriminatory or retaliatory, including the filing of a complaint of employment discrimination or for participating in a discrimination proceeding.

YOUR INTERNAL COMPLAINT

If you believe that you have been the victim of employment discrimination, which includes harassment, and/or retaliation, you may complete this complaint form and file it with the NJDOC Equal Employment Division (EED) at the following address:

New Jersey Department of Corrections
Equal Employment Division
Central Office Headquarters – Stuyvesant Avenue
P.O. Box 863
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
(609) 826-5668

You may also file this complaint form with the EED Liaison at your facility. The EED Liaison is required to promptly notify the EED of your complaint and to forward a copy of your complaint to the EED. A list of the EED Liaisons is attached.

Complaints made to the EED office or the EED Liaison are to be made within 30 days of the last act of alleged discrimination, harassment or retaliation, or the date on which the complainant should reasonably have known of its occurrence.

EXTERNAL COMPLAINT

You may also file a complaint of employment discrimination with:

1. Division on Civil Rights (NJDCR); New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety

Northern Regional Office

31 Clinton Street, 3rd Floor
P.O. Box 46001
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 648-2700; Fax (973) 648-4405

South Shore Regional Office

1601 Atlantic Avenue, 6th Floor
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
(609) 441-3100; Fax: (609) 441-3578

Southern Regional Office

5 Executive Campus, Suite 107, Bldg. 5
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
(856) 486-4080; Fax: (856) 486-2255

Central Regional Office

140 East Front Street, 6th Floor
P.O. Box 090
Trenton, NJ 08625-0090
(609) 292-4605; Fax: (609) 984-3812


OR: www.njoag.gov/about/division-on-civil-rights

This is a State agency that handles complaints of employment discrimination against all employers statewide. The complaint must be made within 180 days of the last act of alleged discrimination, harassment or retaliation, or the date on which the complainant should reasonably have known of its occurrence.

2. United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Newark District Office

Suite 1703
283-299 Market Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(800) 669-4000

Philadelphia District Office

801 Market Street, Suite 1000
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-3126
(800) 669-4000 or (267) 589-9700


OR: www.eeoc.gov

This is a federal agency that handles complaints of employment discrimination nationwide. A complaint must be made within 300 days (depending on the circumstances) of the last act of alleged discrimination, harassment or retaliation.

To find out how to file a complaint with any of these agencies, you may contact the agency directly at the above addresses and telephone numbers.

YOUR RIGHTS UPON FILING A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH EED

You have the right not to be retaliated against for making this complaint. If you believe that you are being retaliated against for making this complaint, you have the right to file a separate complaint of retaliation with the New Jersey Department of Corrections through the EED or the EED Liaison at your facility.

Individuals who cooperate with the investigation of this complaint have the right not to be retaliated against for their cooperation.. Individuals who believe that they are being retaliated against for cooperating with the investigation of a complaint of employment discrimination have the right to file a complaint of retaliation with the New Jersey Department of Corrections through the EED or the EED Liaison at the individual’s facility.

You have the right to object to the choice of investigator assigned to your complaint. . If you file a complaint with the NJDOC EED Office, the EED supervisor will decide whether your complaint will be investigated by the EED Office or by the EED Liaison at your facility. If you do not want the EED Liaison at your facility to investigate your complaint, there is a section in the complaint form that allows you to explain the reasons why you do not want the EED Liaison assigned to your complaint. The EED office will review your reasons for the objection and determine whether there is cause to assign an EED Investigator in lieu of the EED Liaison.

You have the right to know the status of the investigation of your complaint.You may contact either the EED Liaison, the EED supervisor or the assigned investigator to inquire regarding the status of the investigation of your complaint and to add any additional allegations while your complaint is pending determination by EED.

If you are interviewed regarding your complaint, this will occur during your workday without use of any leave time, unless you prefer to be interviewed at some other time on your personal time.

You are entitled to a prompt written decision regarding your complaint.The Civil Service Commission Equal Employment Office/Affirmative Action has established a standard time of 120 days to respond to complaints, with extensions if necessary. EED makes every effort to issue a determination to a complaint within 60 days, to the extent possible. If more than 60 days is needed, EED advises the complainant by letter.

You have the right to appeal to the New Jersey Civil Service Commission.If you do not agree with the decision of the EED office, you may appeal that decision to the Civil Service Commission at the following address:

Director, Division of Appeals & Regulatory Affairs (DARA)
Civil Records Appeal Unit

P.O. Box 312
Trenton, NJ 08625-0312
609-984-7140

Your appeal must be in writing and filed within 20 calendar days after your receipt of the decision issued by the EED office. A copy of all materials you presented to the EED office must be sent along with the letter of appeal to the Division of Appeals & Regulatory Affairs. DARA will decide the appeal on a review of the written record or such other proceeding, as it deems appropriate.

The burden of proof is on the Appellant.The appeal must be in writing, state the reason(s) for the appeal and specify the relief requested. All materials presented at the department level and a copy of this determination letter must be included. The appeal should be submitted to the NJ Civil Service Commission, Director of the Division of Appeals and Regulatory Affairs, P.O. Box 312, Trenton, NJ 08625-0312. Please be advised that pursuant to P.L. 2010, c.26, effective July 1, 2010, there shall be a $20 fee for appeals. Please include the required $20 fee with your appeal. Payment must be made by check or money order, payable to the “NJ CSC.” Persons receiving public assistance pursuant to P.L. 1997, c.38 (C.44:10-55 et seq.) and individuals with established veterans preference as defined by N.J.S.A. 11A:5-1 et seq. are exempt from these fees.

You have the right to know if disciplinary action will be pursued as a result of the investigation into your complaint.If the EED office finds probable cause to believe that the Department of Corrections Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace was violated and disciplinary action will be pursued, you are entitled to receive written notice of this fact.

You have the right to know who is assigned as management representative and to object to the choice of the management representative for the disciplinary hearing.If you inform the Office of Employee Relations (OER) that you object to the chosen management representative, the reasons you provide will be considered and the management representative will be changed, if a change is warranted.

If you are called to testify at a discipline hearing, you will be permitted to attend without use of any leave time.

You have the right to be notified of the outcome of the disciplinary hearing.Once the discipline process is complete, you will be advised of the outcome.

In accordance with P.L. 2021, c. 465 and P.L. 2021, 466, the SAME program was established to enable New Jersey State agencies to hire, promote, retain, and advance qualified individuals whose physical or mental impairments impact their abilities to participate in the hiring and promotion process for non-competitive and unclassified titles within the State workforce. This program uses a fast-track process that permits people who are eligible for the program to request that the State appointing authority schedule with them a good faith interview. Individuals applying for non-competitive or unclassified positions under this program should contact us to determine if they are eligible for the fast track hiring process.