Correctional Officer

About the role

This position oversees and maintains care, custody, and control of incarcerated persons within a facility, while enforcing the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the agency.

Responsibilities

• Oversees and monitors the activities of the incarcerated persons in living areas, recreation activities areas, dining areas and visitation areas.
• Coincides and monitors movement of incarcerated persons, conducts counts, and provides emergency response as needed.
• May be assigned to various posts including, but not limited to, the control room, front and sally port entrance, health services, special housing, perimeter security, transportation, work details, reception, intake, and visits officer, etc., as required by management.
• Provides security in program activities and supervises labor crews in various areas around facility.
• Conducts shakedown for contraband materials, either individually or as part of a specialized team. Confiscates contraband in accordance to facility policies and procedures.
• Initiates disciplinary reports on incarcerated persons.
• Prepares reports and maintains daily logs as required.
• Ensures prompt and appropriate assistance to incarcerated persons in the event of injury, illness or trauma.
• Promotes facility cleanliness and reports need for maintenance or repairs.
• Serves as member of special teams to respond to emergencies as required.
• Completes training courses as required by facility and industry training standards.
• Performs correctional duties for any shift as defined by management.
• Is available for mandatory or volunteer overtime to support necessary staffing of the facility.
• Obtains certification to carry a department issued service weapon during training and maintains this certification throughout employment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma or equivalent certification required.
• College coursework and advanced training in behavioral sciences, correctional services, or related field preferred.
• Training in cultural diversity or sensitivity preferred.
• Possession of applicable state requisites for employment.
• Ability to work overtime as required.
• Ability to handle physical and mental stress associated with working extended hours.
• Must be able to regularly report to work without being late.
• Ability to work up to sixteen (16) hours within a rolling 24-hour period.
• May be required to possess valid state driver’s license.
• Mature, flexible, able to command the respect and confidence of inmates or detainees and staff, philosophically committed to the objectives of the facility, and possess a high tolerance to mental stress.
• Ability to work with computers and the necessary software used by the department.
• Ability to physically perform the essential duties of the position, including, but not limited to, sitting and walking at will, walking/standing and/or sitting for long periods, lifting heavy objects, crouching/kneeling, bending at waist, close and far vision, reaching, handling/ grasping/fingering objects, hearing sounds/communication, and physically restraining incarcerated persons during emergency situations.
• Ability to deal swiftly, rationally and decisively with potentially violent individuals in precarious situations and perform duties despite the stress of potential injuries and/or loss of life to self and/or others.
• Ability to de-escalate volatile situations by means of conversation/negotiation.
• Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare required forms and reports within department deadlines.
• Ability to effectively listen, comprehend and communicate with co-workers, other County departments, incarcerated persons and their family members, other law enforcement agencies, and the public by intercom, radio, telephone or in person, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.
• Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
• Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written or oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form.
• Ability to work alone or with others in a team environment with minimum supervision.
• Occasionally works evening, weekend, irregular, and/or extended hours.

Additional Information

• Work Environment: Standard jail facility and office environment.
• Incumbent performs duties in a jail facility and incarcerated persons involves sitting and walking at will, walking/standing and/or sitting for long periods, lifting/ carrying heavy objects, crouching/kneeling, bending at the waist, close and far vision, reaching, handling/grasping/fingering objects, hearing sounds/communication.
• Incumbent is frequently exposed to the hazards associated with jail operations, such as potentially violent individuals and communicable disease.
• No prolonged extreme physical demands are associated with normal duties or assignments, but incumbent may exert strenuous physical effort during emergency situations, such as running distances under one mile and/or physically restraining incarcerated persons.
• Incumbent must perform duties despite the stress of potential injury and/or loss of life to self-and/or others.
• The County of Delaware provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, membership in an employee organization, political affiliation, or status as a veteran in the recruitment, selection, or hiring of its workforce.
• The EEO/AA The County of Delaware offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, retirement, life insurance, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.