Corrections Officer

About the role

This is a specialized non-law enforcement position in the Corrections Division of the Sheriff's Office. Employees work under close proximity to moderate supervision in maintaining security in a jail facility. Persons in this position operate under rigid state and municipal rules and regulations in the care of inmates and maintenance of safety and security within the jail system. Other duties must be performed as assigned by the Jail Administrator, Chief Deputy Sheriff, and or Sheriff.

Responsibilities

• Maintains inmate records
• Maintains jail security
• Screens inmates and cells for contraband articles
• Maintains order and monitors inmate behavior to prevent disturbances and escapes
• Escorts inmates to and from visiting rooms
• Serves meals and distributes commissary items to prisoners
• Welcomes inmates to the county jail and safeguards their possessions including currency; processes inmates per booking procedures
• Care for and ensure the safety of all inmates
• Appears in court and testifies as a witness
• Monitors activities of Electronic Monitoring or Huber Law participants
• Collects and records fines and bail money
• Acts courteously, cooperatively, and respectfully at all times with the public, public officials, clients, service vendors, inmates, peer employees, all county related departments, and supervisors
• Completes reports and required documentation per department policy in an accurate and timely manner
• Maintains up-to-date job knowledge, certifications, licenses and registrations
• Keeps up to date on laws, rules, and regulations
• Recommends policy/procedure changes to supervisor

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Post-secondary course work and/or knowledge of public safety and security is preferred
• Knowledge of rules, regulations, statutes and policy regarding custody and discipline of prisoners and operation of jail facilities
• Knowledge of public safety, and security operations, rules, regulations precautions, prevention, and the protection of people, data and property
• Knowledge of laws, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules and the democratic political process
• Knowledge of state statutes, county ordinances and other regulations which apply to county lands and facilities
• Excellent interpersonal skills in dealing with the public in enforcement situations required
• Utilize effective communication skills; be polite, courteous and professional in manner
• Problem Identification skills – identifying the nature of problems
• Social Perceptiveness skills – being aware of other' reactions and understanding why they react the way they do
• Critical Thinking skills – using logic and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
• Speech skills – talking to others to effectively convey information
• Active Listening skills – listening to what others are saying and asking questions as appropriate
• Judgment and Decision Making skills – weighing the relative risks and benefits of a potential action
• Documenting/Recording Information – entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written, oral or electronic data format
• Resolving Conflict, Negotiating with Others – handling complaints, arbitrating disputes, resolving grievances or otherwise negotiating with others
• Communicating with Other Workers – observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources via contact with supervisors, fellow workers and subordinates, the public, government and other external sources
• Operating Vehicles or Equipment – running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Performing General Physical Activities – performing physical activities that require moving one's whole body, such as in climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, where the activities often also require considerable use of the arms and legs such as in physical handling of persons or objects
• Establishing and Maintaining Relationships – developing constructive and cooperative working relations among the county and other agencies
• Ability to observe and accurately interpret individuals mental and physical conditions and behavior
• Ability to detect and recognize potential hazards and dangers to the security and safety of inmates of the facility and to take effective action to remedy them
• Ability and skill to manage and direct prisoners in a firm and fair manner and to obtain maximum cooperation with minimum use of coercion and creation of hostility and rebellion
• Ability to remain calm under adverse circumstances
• Ability to prioritize functions under stressful conditions
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from inmates or visitors
• Ability to concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task
• Ability to read and interpret documents, and laws in the English language
• Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas in spoken and written format so individuals may effectively understand and convey communications
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form
• Inductive and deductive reasoning – ability to combine separate pieces of information, or specific answers to problems, to form general rules or conclusions; includes coming up with a logical explanation for why a series of seemingly unrelated events occur together and deciding if an answer makes sense
• Possess and maintain valid Wisconsin Driver's License
• Possess and maintain valid Wisconsin Corrections Officer Certification (or obtain within mandatory time limits)
• Comply with HIPAA Responsibility

Qualifications

• Ability to observe and accurately interpret individuals mental and physical conditions and behavior
• Ability to detect and recognize potential hazards and dangers to the security and safety of inmates of the facility and to take effective action to remedy them
• Ability and skill to manage and direct prisoners in a firm and fair manner and to obtain maximum cooperation with minimum use of coercion and creation of hostility and rebellion
• Ability to remain calm under adverse circumstances
• Ability to prioritize functions under stressful conditions
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from inmates or visitors
• Ability to concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task
• Ability to read and interpret documents, and laws in the English language
• Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas in spoken and written format so individuals may effectively understand and convey communications
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form
• Inductive and deductive reasoning – ability to combine separate pieces of information, or specific answers to problems, to form general rules or conclusions; includes coming up with a logical explanation for why a series of seemingly unrelated events occur together and deciding if an answer makes sense
• Possess and maintain valid Wisconsin Driver's License
• Possess and maintain valid Wisconsin Corrections Officer Certification (or obtain within mandatory time limits)
• Comply with HIPAA Responsibility

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills in dealing with the public in enforcement situations required
• Utilize effective communication skills; be polite, courteous and professional in manner
• Problem Identification skills – identifying the nature of problems
• Social Perceptiveness skills – being aware of other' reactions and understanding why they react the way they do
• Critical Thinking skills – using logic and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
• Speech skills – talking to others to effectively convey information
• Active Listening skills – listening to what others are saying and asking questions as appropriate
• Judgment and Decision Making skills – weighing the relative risks and benefits of a potential action
• Documenting/Recording Information – entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written, oral or electronic data format
• Resolving Conflict, Negotiating with Others – handling complaints, arbitrating disputes, resolving grievances or otherwise negotiating with others
• Communicating with Other Workers – observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources via contact with supervisors, fellow workers and subordinates, the public, government and other external sources
• Operating Vehicles or Equipment – running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Performing General Physical Activities – performing physical activities that require moving one's whole body, such as in climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, where the activities often also require considerable use of the arms and legs such as in physical handling of persons or objects
• Establishing and Maintaining Relationships – developing constructive and cooperative working relations among the county and other agencies
• Ability to observe and accurately interpret individuals mental and physical conditions and behavior
• Ability to detect and recognize potential hazards and dangers to the security and safety of inmates of the facility and to take effective action to remedy them
• Ability and skill to manage and direct prisoners in a firm and fair manner and to obtain maximum cooperation with minimum use of coercion and creation of hostility and rebellion
• Ability to remain calm under adverse circumstances
• Ability to prioritize functions under stressful conditions
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from inmates or visitors
• Ability to concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task
• Ability to read and interpret documents, and laws in the English language
• Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas in spoken and written format so individuals may effectively understand and convey communications
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form
• Inductive and deductive reasoning – ability to combine separate pieces of information, or specific answers to problems, to form general rules or conclusions; includes coming up with a logical explanation for why a series of seemingly unrelated events occur together and deciding if an answer makes sense
• Possess and maintain valid Wisconsin Driver's License
• Possess and maintain valid Wisconsin Corrections Officer Certification (or obtain within mandatory time limits)
• Comply with HIPAA Responsibility

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Employee Contribution 2026: Non Union Employees Premium Employee Share - 11% Family - $2,477.85/month $ 136.28/pay period Single - $1,086.78/month $ 59.78/pay period Sheriff's Deputies Union Premium Employee Share - 12% Family - $2,477.85/month $ 148.67/pay period Single - $ 1,086.78/month $ 65.21/pay period Vision - VSP 2026 Family - $11.22/ pay period Employee + 1 - $6.82/ pay period Employee & Child - $ 6.96/ pay period Single Plan - $ 3.83/ pay period Dental Insurance 2026: Employee Share – 50% Premium Employee Share Family Plan - $84.98/month $21.25 / pay period Single Plan - $29.82/month $7.10 / pay period Life Insurance: County paid for employee equal to yearly salary. Additional coverage and coverage for spouse and dependents are available at additional cost.

Pay

Salary range: Not specified

Schedule