Occ. Code 8700300
CORRECTION LIEUTENANT, GRADE 20
New York State Department of Civil Service
Classification Standard
Positions of Correction Lieutenant exist in both the correctional facilities and the Training Academy of the Department of Correctional Services.
In most correctional facilities, under the direction of a Correction Captain, the Lieutenant is normally the third highest ranking uniformed officer, supervising all lower ranking uniformed officers to ensure the security and safety of all persons and property on a given shift. Within each facility, a Correction Lieutenant may have a specific assignment area, or group of assignments, which will determine the amount of direct security supervision they will administer, such as a Lieutenant in charge of an inmate discipline program. Additionally, a Lieutenant is normally assigned in each regional facility area (HUB) to be responsible for implementing and managing a training program as part of the Department's staff development of all facility employees.
Correction Lieutenants at minimum-security facilities, such as a camp or work release facility, may have full responsibility for the security measures and administration of such under the direct supervision of the Superintendent.
Correction Lieutenants at the Training Academy are responsible for administering and evaluating all aspects of the Departmental training programs for classes of Correction Officer Trainees as well as the in-service programs offered at the Academy and in the facilities for current employees.
Correction Lieutenants are classified in correctional facilities to function in the capacity of either a shift supervisor (watch commander), a reception unit supervisor, a regional training officer, an administrator of inmate discipline, or as a unit supervisor for a specific security program. These positions are typically supervised by a Correction Captain, the second highest level uniformed officer in a facility, and, in turn, they directly supervise Correction Sergeants, who are characteristically assigned as area supervisors.
Some facilities, such as Correction Camps, Shock Incarceration Facilities and Work Release Facilities, have different organizations and program emphasis, and the staffing pattern may, in turn, reflect the unique nature of these facilities.
The direct responsibility for the maintenance of security and order within the facility combined with the periodic anti‑social behavior of some inmates presents a potential for immediate physical harm to a uniformed officer either in the form of a direct assault or in their quelling of disruptive behavior or confrontations among inmates. In emergency situations, such as attempted or actual escapes, disruptions to facility operations, and riotous inmate behavior, the Correction Lieutenant may be required to use firearms and/or chemical agents, and other safety and emergency equipment.
The Training Academy Correction Lieutenant positions are not typical of the class. They function as either second-in-charge, under a Correction Captain, or are responsible for program evaluation and development. One position assigned to the Academy is responsible for overseeing the training activities provided for all Department employees by the Regional Training Lieutenants through the regional training offices.
As a Shift Supervisor (Watch Commander):
Supervises all Sergeants and Officers on a given shift.
- Assigns them to posts, advising and instructing them as to specific activities.
- Ensures adherence to rules and regulations.
- Makes frequent inspection tours.
- Evaluates performance.
- Reviews written reports and determines appropriate action.
- Prepares reports as required by facility policies and practices.
Maintains the security of the facility by touring the facility.
- Observes inmate behavior.
- Observes physical conditions of the facility.
- Investigates disruption incidents and takes the necessary remedial action.
- Checks mechanical and/or electronic locking systems and the operating order of equipment.
- Orders corrective measures to be taken to ensure that safety, security and proper sanitary conditions are maintained.
- Oversees the inmate counts.
- Suggests procedures to deal with emergencies and may authorize the use of emergency action when needed.
- May substitute for the Correction Captain in the latter's absence.
Administers a safety program.
- Tours the facility.
- Inspects all physical conditions which affect the safety and security of the facility.
- Orders remedial action as required, including any emergency measures.
May serve as a working member of one or more management teams or committees in the resolution of problems directly relating to the functioning of the facility and/or Department.
As an Administrator of the Inmate Disciplinary System:
Serves as a member and facility security supervisor of the Departments Inmate Disciplinary System in the handling of inmate discipline cases.
- Reads and analyzes written reports.
- Listens to verbal testimony and asks questions.
- Conducts an investigation to determine the facts surrounding incidents of disruption in order to determine the appropriate corrective action based on the seriousness of the incident, the prior behavior of the inmate involved, the Correction Law and the Department's related policies.
As a Regional Training Lieutenant:
Develops and administers a program of staff development and training for all security and civilian personnel for several correctional facilities in a designated regional area.
- Works closely with various program supervisors in the evaluation of their programs for the specific purpose of identifying both general and specialized training needs.
- Develops training courses and formal lesson plans to meet such needs.
- Instructs or obtains qualified instructors.
- Evaluates the training provided by meeting with supervisory and management staff in an effort to measure improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness of employees.
The nature and size of a correctional facility and the varying assignments do not permit immediate supervision of a Correction Lieutenant. Lieutenants work under policy guidelines, rules and regulations of the Department and the New York State Correction Law. Often, there is no higher-level staff member immediately available within the facility.
The nature of a Correction Lieutenant's activities restricts the relationships to those that almost exclusively involve other uniformed and civilian employees and the inmates. Relationships with the general public are routinely limited to explaining rules and regulations and/or providing tours of the facility. However, as required by a facilitys mission, they may be required to act as a liaison with the local community.
Relationships among the uniformed security staff are similar to those normally associated with a para-military type organization. Relationships are clearly defined, with the Lieutenant serving in the capacity of an inspector and a line supervisor giving orders to be carried out by lower ranking security personnel.
Relationships with inmates are generally limited to those periods of time during a given shift when the Lieutenant is making an inspection tour or is involved in gathering information concerning an incident involving a breach in the rules or regulations of the facility. The relationship with the inmate is generally limited to a fact gathering interview.
The Lieutenant's relationship with the Correction Captain and/or various Deputy Superintendents and the Superintendent is frequently limited to reports prepared either routinely or for the purpose of describing a specific incident occurring on a shift. In a camp or small work release facility, a more direct relationship with the facility Superintendent would be required.
Correction Lieutenants functioning in the capacity of a training officer, the administrator of inmate discipline or other administrative capacity, have little staff supervisory responsibilities. However, from time to time they may supervise one or two Correction Officers and one or more supporting clerical staff members.
Correction Lieutenants serving as a shift supervisor are responsible for a large number of uniformed security personnel. The number varies depending upon the shift, security level and size of a facility. However, during the normal day shift, there may be as many as 10 Correction Sergeants and 50 or more Officers.
Promotion: one year of permanent service as a Correction Sergeant.
Revised: 7/03
NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe. Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class. The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written. Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.