Correction Officer - OSP

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction – Ohio State Penitentiary. Contact: Shawntae Jackson, DRC.OSPRecruit@drc.ohio.gov. Location: 878 Coitsville-Hubbard Road, Youngstown, OH 44505. Permanent full-time, classified (OCSEA), work hours vary. Primary skill: Corrections.

About the Role

Guided by a single mission “To reduce recidivism among those we touch,” the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction believes that everyone is capable of positive change. Our staff embrace these core values and serve as role models for pro-social behavior conveying an attitude of dignity and respect in the treatment of others. The Department has been tasked with front-line crime reduction through rehabilitative treatment and programming efforts provided in a safe, secure, and humane correctional environment and effective community supervision. Our goal is to protect the public through helping individuals turn away from crime and become productive, contributing members of our communities, ensuring a safer Ohio for all Ohioans now and in the future.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining control of the institution to provide for safety and security of the facility, inmates, staff, and general public by enforcing rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Supervise and direct inmate activity in assigned areas of the facility/institution
• Assuring assigned area is clean, safe, and secure
• Monitoring and operating security controls, equipment, and computers
• Operation of automotive vehicles in perimeter security and the transportation of inmates
• Conducting inmate counts, security rounds, and searches
• Completes required reports and serves on committees
• Prevents escapes or incidents which threaten security
• When necessary, uses physical force, unarmed self-defense, firearms, or other force to detain or secure inmates

Compensation

• Newly hired Correction Officers start at Step 1: $24.88 per hour
• Step 2: $25.61 per hour after 6 months of employment
• Additional $0.60 per hour for working 2nd or 3rd shift

Additional Requirements

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction is a tobacco-free workplace.

Pre-Employment Drug Testing

All final applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointment. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment. This position is also subject to Federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) regulations that prohibit someone from carrying, transporting, or otherwise possessing firearms and/or ammunition if they consume marijuana, including medical marijuana. Medical marijuana is prohibited as a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test for final applicants in this position.

Pre-Employment Background Investigation

The final applicant selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration. The Department is prohibited from hiring:

• Individuals under a federal or state weapons disability if the position requires firearms certification/recertification and use
• Individuals who have engaged in sexual abuse in a prison or other confinement facility; have been civilly or administratively adjudicated, or convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, implied threats of force, or if the victim did not or was unable to consent
• Individuals convicted of soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism, terrorism, or money laundering to support terrorism
• Individuals who have been convicted of or pled guilty to a felony where a direct correlation exists between the position and prior criminal behavior (example: individuals convicted of a felony involving fraud, deceit, or theft from holding a position that has substantial management or control over the property of a state agency)

Benefits

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors; the Agency Contact listed above can provide specific information for this position.

• Medical coverage
• Free Dental, Vision, and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

Qualifications

• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Valid driver’s license required for positions assigned to transportation section and/or requiring a commercial driver’s license to drive vehicles qualifying as commercial
• Must successfully pass the Correction Officer assessment, or have successfully completed the assessment within the past 24 months, or be a current employee of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction who has previously been certified as a Correction Officer
• Probationary period: 365 days

Skills

• Corrections
• Law Enforcement
• Communications
• Criminology/Criminal Justice
• Security
• Ethics and Values
• Listening
• Situational Awareness
• Teamwork
• Observation

ADA Statement

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Drug-Free Workplace

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.