Correctional Officer 5

About the role

A Correctional Officer in this class functions as a shift or unit supervisor within a Correctional Facility, holding the rank of Lieutenant. Officers contribute to public safety by ensuring the care, custody, and control of inmates, maintaining compliance with policy and procedure. They enforce rules, regulations, and state law to manage residents and maintain public safety, plan and direct the work of subordinates, and perform administrative duties related to facility security and operations. The role involves high mental stress due to constant contact with inmates and requires interaction with visitors, staff, inmates, and the public to maintain orderly and secure operations.

Travel may be required to perform duties in other DCR facilities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a shift or unit supervisor within a Correctional Facility.
• Enforce rules, regulations, and state law for the control and management of residents and public safety.
• Plan, review, and direct the work of subordinates; perform administrative duties related to facility security and operations.
• Identify posts and ensure adequate coverage.
• Conduct, assign, supervise, and/or evaluate inquiries or investigations; take appropriate action.
• Manage the correctional officer workforce for overall efficient operations.
• Provide security over inmates; supervise daily activities while observing and recording behavior and movement.
• Interact with visitors, staff, inmates, and the public to maintain orderly and secure operations.
• Successfully complete the Academy training program.

Requirements

• Graduation from a standard high school or equivalent.
• Five (5) years of full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience as a correctional officer, probation/parole officer, police officer, in criminal justice or a related field, or any U.S. Military Service (part-time National Guard service may be included).
• Successfully completed coursework from a regionally accredited college or university in corrections, criminal justice, or a related field may substitute for experience at a rate of one (1) year for every thirty (30) hours of study.
• Successfully complete a psychological examination prior to appointment and as required thereafter.
• Successfully complete a medical examination prior to appointment and as required thereafter.
• Successfully complete a physical performance test prior to appointment and annually thereafter.
• Successfully complete a chemical urinalysis drug-screening test prior to initial employment and be subject to random drug testing.
• Character and suitability for employment must be verified through an agency investigation prior to employment.
• Background must be clear of felony convictions and any activity prohibited by the Prison Rape Elimination Act.
• Subject to recurring background checks as required by law, rule, standard, or policy.
• Must work various shifts; schedules are subject to change at any time.
• Subject to mandatory overtime and must be available for assignment to any location in the State of West Virginia.
• Possess a valid driver’s license prior to appointment and maintain it continuously.
• Maintain a working telephone for agency contact.
• Successfully complete training as required by policies or law.
• Possess the ability to perform the essential functions and tasks of the classification.
• Successfully complete a Supervisor Training Course within six (6) months of promotion.

Pay

Special Hiring Rates as of 7/1/2024:

• $59,900.256 – Critical Vacancy Pay Facilities (Huttonsville Correctional Center and Jail, Mount Olive Correctional Complex and Jail, Western Regional Jail and Corrections Facility, Northern Correctional Facility, Northern Regional Jail and Correctional Facility, Chick Buckbee Juvenile Center, Vicki Douglas Juvenile Center, Potomac Highlands Regional Jail and Correctional Facility, Eastern Regional Jail and Corrections Facility).
• $54,900.144 – Remainder of the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation facilities.

Additional Pay Information:

• Upon completion of the first year of continuous service, employees receive a $2,000 retention incentive.
• Annual base-building pay differential of $250 on July 1st, beginning July 1, 2024.
• Correctional Officers promoted to ranks 4, 5, 6, or 7 receive the special hiring rate plus the total amount of their annual base-building pay differential applied to their new salary.
• If an employee leaves a Critical Vacancy Pay Facility (CVPF), the additional $5,000 pay differential is removed unless transferring to another CVPF.