Correctional Officer - Female
Position Summary
Are you seeking to join a workforce with meaning? Is helping people something you are passionate about? Whether you are looking for a new start or to rejoin the workforce, the Walworth County Sheriff's Office is looking for individuals like you to join our Corrections division. Our Correctional Officers come from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life. As a Correctional Officer, you will serve the community of Walworth County by keeping all individuals inside and outside safe. No two days are alike within the Walworth County jail. Some days will be fast-paced while others could be slow-moving. Sex-specific hiring is used only where required by law and operational necessity. All other Correctional Officer positions remain open to qualified applicants of any sex.
Interactions & Communications
As a Correctional Officer, expanding and strengthening your communication skills are essential. You will expand your interpersonal communication skills to learn how to de-escalate situations, effectively communicate with inmates and collaborate effectively with your team while maintaining confidentiality. This will take place while strengthening your stress management, problem-solving and resilience in the workplace. Correctional Officers supervise and have direct contact with inmates to de-escalate situations, assess behaviors and monitor throughout the facility and community.
Thinking & Problem Solving
There are a wide variety of things that can and will happen while working in a county jail. You will be faced with difficult situations and complex issues that will require you to problem solve efficiently and promptly. You will learn Walworth County's policies and procedures to be able to handle situations or issues that arise with confidence.
Work Environment
Working in Walworth County's Jail, you must be able to safely multi-task by being able to conduct searches, supervise inmates and their movement, and write reports as needed. You'll be viewing cameras, monitors, control panels, and other jail equipment daily. You must be ready to respond to emergencies and evacuations at all times. Correctional Officers are assigned to one of three shifts on a rotating schedule in order to provide 24-hour per day, 7-day per week service. You will be assigned to work an 8.25-hour shift. Due to the 5 on/2 off, 5 on/3 off schedule, days off will include weekends and holidays on a rotating basis. Correctional Officers receive extra compensation for working holidays and a shift differential for working 2nd and 3rd shifts. The County applies seniority when assigning employees to a shift. Due to the 24-hour per day, 7-day per week work demands of the jail, overtime opportunities will also be available. You may be called to report to work early or stay late to ensure all shifts are fully staffed.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Enforce rules and regulations, maintain security by settling disputes between inmates, preventing disturbances, assaults and escapes through effective communication and the use of progressive sanctions, such as loss of privileges.
- Supervise the daily activities of inmates, ensuring that inmates obey the rules and ensuring the whereabouts of all inmates at all times. Activities include meal distribution, medication distribution, laundry exchange, work assignments, sleeping and other regular housing activity.
- Search inmates and their living quarters for contraband, such as weapons and drugs. Screen visitors and incoming mail to ensure contraband is not brought into the jail.
- Regularly inspect facilities, checking cells and other areas for unsanitary conditions, contraband, signs of a security breach (such as tampering with window bars and doors) and any other evidence of violations of the rules.
- Report any inmate who violates the rules. If a crime is committed within their institution or an inmate escapes, help law enforcement authorities investigate and search for the escapee. Write reports and fill out daily logs detailing inmate behavior and anything else of note that occurred during their shift.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent; or will have obtained this by the date of hire.
- Prior experience in public safety or customer service is helpful, but not a necessity.
- Basic math skills as well as reading and writing to interpret document information from multiple sources in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to type and complete basic computer tasks.
Training & Certifications
Walworth County will provide you with the training required to become a successful Correctional Officer. Training includes, but is not limited to, 12 weeks of in-depth on the job training, and within the first year, attendance and successful completion of Wisconsin Basic Jail Academy, which is paid for by Walworth County. Correctional Officers are required to attend 24 hours of re-certification every year with different topics covered.
Selection Process
- Formal Walworth County Electronic Application
- Education & Experience Review
- Oral Department Interview
- Law Enforcement Suitability Testing
- Extensive Background Investigation including Reference Check
- Post-offer Psychological Evaluation
- Post-offer Physical Examination including a Drug Screen
- Other Job Related Tests May Be Required
Benefits
- Scheduled Time Off: Accrued based on straight-time hours paid each pay period. Full-time employees earn (pro-rated for part-time): 10 days per year after 1 year of service; 15 days per year after 5 years; 20 days per year after 15 years.
- Personal Time Off: 64 hours as a lump sum at the beginning of each year (pro-rated for part-time and newly-hired employees). Remaining hours may be moved to the extended sick leave bank or paid out at year-end.
- Extended Sick Leave Bank: For serious health conditions requiring three or more consecutive days off or when on an approved leave of absence.
- Holidays: Ten paid holidays each year (pro-rated for part-time).
- Health Insurance: Tier 1 (standard co-pay) or Tier 2 (High Deductible Health Plan with Health Savings Account; County contributes to HSA). Family or single coverage. Monthly premium split between County and employee.
- Dental Insurance: Family or single coverage. County pays 100% of premium for full-time, 50% for part-time.
- Life Insurance: County provides $25,000 term life insurance. Additional coverage available for self, spouse, and/or dependents.
- Short-Term Disability Insurance: County-provided, premiums paid by employer.
- Long-Term Disability Insurance: County pays 67% of premium; employee pays 33%.
- Vision Insurance: Employee pays 100% of premium (single or family).
- Wisconsin Retirement System: For employees expected to work a minimum of 1200 hours per year for one year or more. Payment split between county and employee.
- Educational Assistance: After 6 months of employment, partial tuition reimbursement for approved courses.
- Tax-Sheltered Benefits: Deferred Compensation (S457 plan), Medical Spending Account (S125 plan), Dependent Care Plan (S125 plan), Health Savings Account (S223 plan).
- Workers Compensation: Coverage for illness or injury arising out of employment. County supplements lost-time payment for up to 1 year.
- Direct Deposit: Required.
- Employee Assistance Program: Through Curalinc (888-881-5462) for confidential family and financial matters.
- Bereavement Leave: Up to 3 days for spouse, child, step-child, parent, step-parent, brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild, mother-in-law, father-in-law, or other member of immediate household. Up to 1 day for brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew.
- Jury Duty: Regular wages made-whole for any time served.