Operations Commander

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Johnson County Department of Corrections is looking for qualified applicants to fill the position of Operations Commander at the Adult Residential Center in New Century, Kansas. The Operations Commander provides leadership and oversight of the operations across all shifts. This includes staffing, safety, security and sanitation issues, and facility inspections. The Operations Commander works collaboratively with non-operations staff to ensure that all staff in each facility are working to improve offender behaviors and to keep the public safe, and

serves as a role model for staff in their work with offenders reinforcing professionalism, accountability and a culture of respect.

Posting will close at 11:59 PM on June 12th, 2026. First review of applications will be on June 15th, 2026.

Essiential Functions:

Provides oversight of the operations of the facility, including staffing, safety, security and sanitation issues; ensures there is an on-duty supervisor in charge of each shift at all times; serves as a role model; works with non-operations staff to ensure that staff in each facility are working to improve offender behaviors and to keep the public safe; ensures that overtime is used effectively and efficiently; responsible for monitoring the morale of operations staff and offenders and proposing action for improvements.
• Provides for the supervision of security staff, including the direct supervision of shift supervisors; documents growth and development of staff; monitors and observes the work of all operations staff; ensures performance appraisals are completed accurately in a timely manner; provides ongoing feedback to staff regarding performance issues including holding them accountable; ensures the ongoing use of Evidence Based Practices in the management of offenders; ensures offenders are treated fairly and equitably by all staff members.
• Ensures that review and dissemination of reports and other departmental/division communications are made in a timely manner; meets regularly other staff to receive and provide information to ensure effective and efficient operations; participates and/or initiates projects to improve operations, reviews critical incidents; offender disciplinary actions, and implementation of Evidence-Based Programs.
• Works in conjunction with the training coordinator to ensure staff receive proper training and development; participates in the recruitment, hiring and onboarding of operations staff; participates in the development, implementation, and presentation of training to staff; schedules and coordinates physical ability testing for new hires and annual training; provides input to training staff to ensure that any gaps in training are addressed based upon observation/experience.
• Assists in the development and implementation of policies and procedures; ensures compliance with state and federal laws and regulations; takes initiative to propose new policies and revisions to policies.
• Evaluates staff response in emergencies and ensures appropriate level of debriefing occurs in emergency situations; takes corrective action; works in cooperation with local law enforcement and emergency response agencies.
• Leads and supports Quality Improvement Initiatives (QII) to identify and address systemic challenges, enhance operational effectiveness, and improve efficiency across the unit.
• Utilize data, staff feedback, and performance metrics to evaluate processes, implement improvements, and sustain best practices.
• Collaborates with leadership and cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement efforts, streamline workflows, and ensure alignment with organizational goals and compliance standards.

Minimum Job Requirments:

• Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology, Human Development or related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of Corrections Officer I/IA experience or equivalent experience working in a correctional, residential, therapeutic or relevant setting.
• Strong Attention to Detail
• Strong communications
• Valid active Drivers license
• Applicant must submit to and pass a pre-employment, post-offer drug screen and pass a physical ability test prior to employment.

Physical, Environmental, and Special Working Conditions:

• Excessive standing and/or walking: 60%
• Exposure to extreme temperatures.
• Safety-sensitive job
• Weather essential job for Department and County
• Successful completion of physical ability test which includes dragging up to one hundred twenty five (125) pounds, lifting fifty (50) pounds, patting down residents, responding to emergency calls, and donning protective equipment or performing CPR (location dependent).