Departments

Human Resources

Weekly Job Requisitions

< Back to Job Requisitions

CORRECTIONS OFFICER

EXEMPT: No
DEPARTMENT: Corrections
UPDATE: 7/28/99
JOB CODE: 346
UNION: 01

SUMMARY:
General duty correctional work maintaining security and discipline in a county correctional or work release facility on an assigned shift. Work includes responsibility for supervising inmates at a work location, in housing units, transporting to and from outside appointments and between institutions and in the performance of general tasks as required. Work is performed under the supervision of higher-level correctional personnel. Work involves regular exposure to unpredictable conditions and occasionally requires the expenditure of physical effort in restraining and subduing prisoners.|

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Patrols an assigned area of an institution; supervises inmates in housing units; and observes inmates to detect or prevent disturbances.
• Escorts inmates throughout the institution; assists in maintaining order in recreation areas; enforces institution rules; and oversees the work of inmates in routine cleaning and laboring operations.
• Stands watch to prevent escapes and to regulate the admission of visitors to the institution.
• Operates security control centers, regulating movement of individuals between areas of the prison; maintains telephone, public address and electronic communications; and maintains current records of inmate population and their whereabouts.
• May operate automotive equipment in transporting inmates and patrolling prison perimeter.
• Able to react to change productively and to handle other tasks as assigned.
• Daily contact with incarcerated individuals and employees; occasional contact with visitors and volunteers.
• May be required to perform additional work that follows prescribed or well-established procedures that can be learned within a reasonable time by training on the job. More detailed instructions, as to the nature of their duties, will be given to employees at the beginning of work.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license prior to appointment and during tenure as a Corrections Officer, if required by work assignment.
• Must successfully complete the Department of Corrections' Basic Training class.
• Ability to learn the attitudes and group habits of persons in custody.
• Ability to learn and enforce, with firmness and impartiality, a wide variety of correctional institution rules, regulations and disciplinary measures.
• Ability to supervise the activities of inmates in assigned tasks.
• Ability and willingness to carry out detailed orders.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with inmates and associates.
• Ability to act quickly and calmly in an emergency.
• Ability to read orders and instructions.
• Ability to write understandable and readable reports.
• Work involves regular exposure to unpredictable conditions and occasionally requires the expenditure of physical effort in restraining and subduing prisoners.
• Performs duties while "locked" inside a correctional facility in direct contact with incarcerated individuals.
• This position is eligible for promotion to Sergeant or other positions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must frequently lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.