Corrections Officer 1 - SCI CHS

About the role

This position provides care, custody, and control of inmates at SCI Chester on an assigned shift. The selected applicant will work a 40‑hour work week; this is shift work with rotating days off. Work schedule to be determined.

This posting is restricted to current Department of Corrections employees (statewide). The position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50/55 and is not eligible for telework.

Responsibilities

Description of work:

• Directs inmate activities and maintains security in cell blocks, housing units, cottages, work areas, dining and recreation areas.
• Observes inmates from towers, in corridors, or in visiting areas; searches visitors; moves groups of inmates from one area of the institution to another; patrols assigned areas.
• Provides advice and guidance to assist inmates in their adjustment to and participation in correctional processes and the Department's rules and regulations.
• Work varies from duties with direct inmate involvement to work with limited contact with inmates and visitors.

Essential job functions:

• Exercise care, custody, and control over inmates.
• Apply physical force and intervention when appropriate and necessary.
• Perform physically demanding tasks (e.g., running, physical control of inmates).
• Reach, bend, stoop, pull, push, kneel, lift, climb, and grasp.
• Be mobile over all types of physical surfaces and levels.
• Spend prolonged periods standing or walking.
• Spend prolonged periods working indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Work all shifts and posts (except those requiring an active PA driver's license or equivalent).
• Operate basic office equipment.
• Maintain an active PA driver's license or equivalent specific to the class and type of vehicle required by post.
• Work mandatory overtime in compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement, with little or no advance notice, whether on or off duty at time of notification.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Use and maintain various equipment and tools of the corrections profession.
• Properly wear all portions of assigned uniform.
• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Hear and identify sounds (voices, whistle, buzzer, lock release, scuffling, sudden quiet).
• Visually observe inmates' activities.
• Administer emergency medical assistance to inmates and staff.
• Attend and participate in all mandatory training and/or testing.
• Maintain weapons qualifications in accordance with DOC Policy 5.1.1, Section 7.
• Travel as required.

Requirements

Organization/location restrictions: This posting is restricted to current Department of Corrections employees (statewide).

Legal requirements: Must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

Recruitment methods: Applicants must meet one of the following to be considered:

• Reassignment — only current civil service employees in the same agency who hold the same or similar job title, with the same maximum salary and comparable minimum qualifications.
• Voluntary Demotion.

You must be eligible for selection in accordance with merit system employment regulations.

Eligibility — all applicants: Meet the minimum experience and training (METs) for the job:

• Successful completion of the Corrections Officer Trainee Program; or
• One year of experience in corrections security work in a Pennsylvania state or county corrections facility. (Persons seeking employment under this option will be required to successfully complete, or have completed, a training program conducted by the Department of Corrections.)

Note: Certain SCI Corrections Officer positions require applicants to have and maintain an active Pennsylvania non‑commercial Class C driver's license or equivalent. PA residency is waived for this job title. This position is posted in accordance with DOC Policy 04.01.01 Section 13 — Employee Movements within the Department.

Benefits

This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50/55.

Schedule

• 40‑hour work week; shift work with rotating days off.
• Work schedule to be determined.
• Mandatory overtime may be required in compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement, with little or no advance notice, whether on or off duty at time of notification.
• Work all shifts and posts (except those requiring an active PA driver's license or equivalent).
• Spend prolonged periods working indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions.