Correctional Facility Administrator / Warden IV

Agency

Adult Correction

Division

COO - OPS - Institutions Operations

Job Classification Title

Correctional Facility Administrator (NS)

Position Number

60060545

Grade

NC21

About Us

The NC Department of Adult Correction is one of the largest state agencies with more than 14,000 employees. It is responsible for safeguarding and preserving lives and property through prevention, protection, and preparation as well as the care, custody, and supervision of all adults sentenced for violating North Carolina laws. This department includes state prisons with custody, healthcare, and facility operations staff as well as probation/parole officers who supervised sentenced people in the community. Other divisions include Administration, Health Services, Rehabilitation & Reentry, Special Operations and the Post-Release Supervision & Parole Commission. We have a mission that matters!

Description of Work

This Correctional Facility Administrator position is located at Foothills Correctional Institution in Morganton, North Carolina (Burke County).

The Correctional Facility Administrator serves as Warden IV and is responsible for the total operation of Foothills Correctional Institution in Burke County, North Carolina. Foothills Correctional Institution employs over 500 staff and is a 712-bed close-custody male facility that has 136 cells for restrictive housing, 96 beds designated for Security Threat Group Management; this is an agency initiative funded by Federal Grant and matching State funds, and is an intensive program that provides a controlled environment for disruptive offenders associated with validated gangs in North Carolina and works on breaking their gang affiliation through renunciation and specialized programming. This program is provided to the highest -level validated Security Threat Group offenders from across the state with the population age range of 18 and above, 96 beds for offender processing, and 2 housing units of 192 offenders. Foothills Correctional Institution also has a 230-bed minimum custody adult male facility and specializes in the most complex inmate population. The minimum custody unit also houses offenders working for Correctional Enterprise, education and vocational programs.

This position reports directly to the Western Region Director.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The total operation of the facility including Custody, Food Service, Programs, Administration, Medical, Mental Health and Maintenance.

• This position will direct those staff that report to him/her in the development of policy and procedure and delivery of services to the offender population. These services include but are not limited to medical, dental, psychological, religious, food service, unit management, and training programs.

• This position sets goals and priorities for each component within the institution and makes modifications as needed.

• This position is directly involved with hiring, disciplining, coaching, and training employees.

• This position has direct responsibility for the safe and secure housing of male felon offenders housed at the institution and must also ensure the safety of the staff and the general public.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $67,996.00 - $132,593.00

Salary Pay Grade: NC21

This position is Statutorily EXEMPT and is exempt from certain provisions of the G.S. 126-5 (c17).

*** This is an anticipated vacancy.  This position is expected to be available 05/01/2026. ***

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

• Demonstrated Supervisory and Management experience in the operation of a prison.
• Demonstrated experience in administering Prison’s Policy and Procedures.

The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before the End Date

Internal Posting - This is an Internal Posting open only for current North Carolina Department of Adult Correction Employees, and eligible State Government Reduction in Force (RIF) Candidates from North Carolina State Government, or current temporary employees.

Compensation and Benefits:

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit the website for State Benefits.

Supplemental Contact Information   

NCDAC uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.  Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position. For more information about the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections (NCDAC), please visit us at our website.

Application Process
Be sure to complete the application in its entirety.   Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers.
• If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the night before closing date.
• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check.
• If applying for a position certified through the NC Dept. of Justice - Criminal Justice Standards Division, click this link for specific certification requirements:  Correctional & Probation/Parole Officer Certification.
• The NC Dept. of Adult Correction must adhere to the US Dept. of Justice Final Rule on the "National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape."  Click this link for information on hiring and promotion prohibition requirements for all positions in the NC Dept. of Adult Correction: PREA Hiring and Promotion Prohibitions (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader).
• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. The hiring process may take several weeks.
• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.
  • For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members.

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations, and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. 
• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), NCDAC is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, NCDAC will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation.  If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of supervisory, administrative, or consultative experience in corrections or related work, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Special Qualifications: Must be eligible for certification by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Misty Swanson Carver

Email:

[email protected]