Corrections Professional Responsibility Investigator

Application deadline is April 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST. Applicants will not be contacted until after this date. Internal applicants will be considered before external applicants.

Application Requirements

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must successfully submit a completed application prior to the posting deadline. Applications submitted with incomplete or missing education and/or work experience sections will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. These applicants will be disqualified from consideration. The attachment of a resume to the application does not fulfill this requirement and will not prevent incomplete applications from being rejected. Education and work experience fields must be completed, regardless of the presence of an attached resume.

Once the posting closes, all applications will be reviewed. The information provided on the application will be utilized to determine whether or not each applicant meets the Minimum Requirements for this position as noted in the Job Description. We encourage all applicants to provide a comprehensive, concise history of their education, certification, licensing, and employment history. Please read the Minimum Requirements thoroughly and then demonstrate that you meet these requirements on your application.

For questions regarding this posting, please contact Sherry Christman, Human Resources Analyst at schristman@norcopa.gov or 610-829-6382.

Equal Employment Opportunities – It is the policy of Northampton County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or any other status protected by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other state, federal, or local law.

Job Description

GENERAL PURPOSE
The Corrections Professional Responsibility Investigator position is responsible for the provision of investigations for both internal and external operations related to the Department of Corrections.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
This position reports directly to the Director of Corrections

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
This position is not responsible for the supervision of other employees.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION
Investigates all major incidents at Department of Corrections facilities as well as serious allegations against staff, civil complaints, internal affairs matters, and other matters at the discretion of the Director of Corrections. (Employee incidents that do not involve inmates such as discrimination claims, harassment, workplace violence, bullying, staff on staff conflict, etc., will be handled by the Department of Human Resources.)

Provides the Director of Corrections, and appropriate staff, with all facts and information gathered during each investigated incident. Reports will include existing weaknesses noted. The Director of Corrections will recommend and/or determine the appropriate disciplinary action to be taken, if any.

Reviews facility incident reports as needed/requested, and advises the Director of Corrections and Public Safety Administrator of any incidents, trends, or noteworthy occurrences which need further investigation. This may include criminal or civil liabilities, incidents/occurrences which are controversial, or are unusual to the point they require the Director of Corrections’ attention.

Receives complaints and analyzes facts involved to determine the course and scope of investigations of suspected violations of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, the Department of Corrections’ Code of Ethics, or the agency’s Code of Conduct. Prepares comprehensive reports of findings.

Prepares and files background investigations on applicants for hire in the Department of Corrections. Coordinates, examines, and evaluates fingerprints and N.C.I.C.

Collects, evaluates, and develops evidence. Prepares for presentation to prosecuting officials.

Prepares and files search warrants and affidavits for criminal arrest.

Conducts independent, complex, and department-wide administrative investigations of staff, inmates, contract vendors, pre-release residents, Northampton County employees, private citizens, and inmates’ visitors. Develops and maintains a liaison with other law enforcement agencies.

Examines and evaluates various official records such as personnel, inmate, medical, criminal history, and financial.

Interviews informants, inmates, employees, and individuals as necessary to obtain information concerning criminal activity.

Analyzes documents, obtains handwriting and typing samples, and prepares graphs for court presentation.

Conducts surveillance using technical investigation apparatus such as electronic and photographic equipment of all types.

Gathers and preserves evidence through interviews, telephone monitoring, surveillance, and cell searches.

Completes all necessary documents for the conduct of administrative or criminal proceedings.

Testifies, presents, and defends evidence in criminal and administrative proceedings. Proceedings may result in taking and sustaining disciplinary action such as pre-disciplinary counseling, unemployment, County Career Service hearings and arbitrations. May work in conjunction with Human Resources/DA’s Office for some of these duties.

Directs investigators and coordinates activities of personnel from other state agencies necessary to an investigation.

Assists other law enforcement agencies with investigations.

Reviews policies to determine compliance of staff and inmates. Recommends revisions and changes based upon investigation.

Identifies administrative operational deficiencies to prevent future violations.

Attends annual municipal police officers’ education and training commission in-service training, law enforcement, and corrections-related training, as well as mandatory firearms qualification.

Provides training to Corrections Supervisors and Officers in such areas as report writing, conducting investigations, preserving crime scenes, and other related topics.

May be required to perform the work of other assigned investigators consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Maintains files and records as assigned.

• An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description. Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE - Completion of a high school, or general equivalency diploma; AND

At least eight (8) years of full-time progressively responsible criminal investigations work and training experience in corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement or a related organization. Possession of a degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement or a closely related field, can be substituted for the experience requirement on a year-for-year basis; AND

Act 120 certification is required; AND

Must maintain annual certifications in First Aid, CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) and AED (Automated External Defibrillation); AND

Employee assigned to this title will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license. Must have an acceptable driving record.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION - As a post-offer, prerequisite for appointment, appointees must pass a criminal history check.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION – As a post-offer, prerequisite for appointment, appointees must pass a psychological examination.

URINE DRUG SCREEN – As a post-offer, prerequisite for appointment, appointees must pass a urine drug screen.

Employees assigned to this title will be required to submit to a Criminal Background Check and Child Abuse Clearance at least every three (3) years, per PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act). Employees will be required to stay aware and adhere to PREA regulations and understand the circumstances of said Federal regulations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Thorough knowledge of the principles and methods of criminal investigation, law enforcement, and corrections.

Knowledge of the basic rules of evidence.

Knowledge of the applicable statutes, court decision interpretations, and administrative rulings pertaining to violations of state law.

Knowledge of PREA, gang intelligence, and the process of field-testing suspected drug like substances.

Skill in the use of technical investigation equipment.

Ability to interpret and apply the Department of Correction’s Code of Ethics/Conduct.

Ability to complete advanced courses in forensic disciplines, if required.

Working knowledge of procedures to follow with regard to preservation of evidence and documentation, as it relates to chain of custody.
Knowledge and understanding of criminal behavior.

Ability to establish and maintain records of investigations, and to prepare reports from same.

Ability to testify in judicial and administrative proceedings to investigations and findings.

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, while keeping the Director of Corrections abreast of all investigations and findings.

Ability to demonstrate sound writing and communication skills.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials and representatives of other agencies, prisoners, associates, and the public.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English to perform the duties of this position. Ability to understand and speak Spanish is preferred, but not required.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Computer, telephone, calculator, portable radio, copy machine, fax machine, first aid equipment, motorized vehicles, and power/hand tools.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk, or hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than fifty (50) pounds.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally is exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience, interview, and reference check as well as job related tests may be required.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

FLSA STATUS: FLSA EXEMPT (NOT ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME)
DESIGNATION: CAREER SERVICE
PAY GRADE: CS/GR25
UNION STATUS: NON-UNION

Updated April 2026

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person