Corrections Officer

About the role

The City of Yakima is offering new Corrections Officers a hiring incentive of $10,000!! $5,000 be paid on their first paycheck following the first full month of employment and the additional $5,000 to be paid on the paycheck following their first full year of employment! (after execution of a 36 month repayment contract of employment) In addition newly hired Lateral Corrections Officer will receive a bank of 40 in lieu hours that can be used at any time during the first year of employment!!!

Responsibilities

• Receives detainees, and conducts body searches.
• Maintains physical control of detainees using minimum force required.
• Obtains required information from detainees; inventories and properly stores detainees' valuables and other personal property; issues uniforms and other items per directive.
• Supervises and guards detainee work crews, both within and outside the detention facility; escorts, transports and guards prisoners in non-secure areas, including court, hospital, and work sites.
• Captains and supervises City Jail detainees assigned to custodial and exterior building maintenance duties; obtains and provides necessary equipment; monitors detainee activity; inspects and directs work; identifies needed facility repairs; and coordinates with the Building Superintendent.
• Affords assistance to other Corrections Officers and other Department employees; performs court security duties; operates electronically-controlled access doors; summons assistance when necessary; communicates with other personnel by means of intercom and two-way radio.
• Maintains appropriate records of booking, detention and release of detainees; operates computerized records management system; enters and maintains computerized data regarding warrants, arrests, convictions and sentences.
• Accepts and accounts for detainees' money and handles commissary transactions; accepts deliveries and assists with ordering and inventory of jail supplies; accounts for inventory and control of department equipment and supplies.
• Operates City-owned vehicles when required to transport detainees, travel to training, or on other department business.
• Contributes to the effective administration of the City Jail and the Yakima Police Department by demonstrating an attitude that encourages cooperation, coordination of efforts, efficient use of resources, and exceptional customer service.

Requirements

• Must be 20 years of age or older at time of appointment (19½ at time of application) and a U. S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
• Must have a good command of the English language, both written and verbal, and be a high school graduate or equivalent.
• Must be in good physical condition, good moral character, and capable of performing the full range of required duties, including physical control of violent offenders.
• Meet State and Federal laws to possess and carry a firearm and must be able to meet and maintain the department standards for firearm qualification.

Qualifications

• Must have successfully completed the course of study prescribed and/or approved for Correction Officers by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (to qualify for the WSCJTC Corrections Officer equivalency academy) and have two (2) years continuous experience as a Correction/Detention Officer within the last five (5) years.
• Must be 20 years of age or older and be lawfully employable in the U. S.

Skills

• Knowledge of, and clear commitment to, the principles of 21st Century Policing.
• Knowledge and understanding of policies, procedures, laws, rules and regulations related to Corrections operations and staff, in accordance with policies and procedures of the department and the City of Yakima.
• Ability to read, interpret, learn, explain and apply: modern prisoner detention methods and techniques; State, Federal and City laws, regulations, and ordinances; and City and Department policies and procedures.
• Ability to understand and apply the rules of evidence and to obtain information through interview, interrogation and observation.
• Ability to evaluate circumstances and make sound judgments and decisions in a timely manner, based on training and experience, to analyze situations quickly and objectively, and to determine the proper course of action.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills are essential.

Benefits

The City of Yakima is a premier employer in the Yakima Valley with extensive opportunities for training and growth. The City offers a competitive benefit package including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage
• Free healthcare clinic!
• WA State PERS pension plan
• 2% contribution to a 457 deferred compensation plan
• Leave accruals: Vacation – Starting at 7.67 hours/month, Sick – 8 hours/month, Personal holiday – 2 days, Observed holiday – 11 holidays
• Up to 5% bilingual/biliterate English/Spanish special pay
• Life Insurance
• and much more!

Pay

The pay range listed for this position is establish through the City of Yakima’s Master Pay Ordinance in accordance with the Municipal Code and/or the applicable collective bargaining agreement. New employees generally start at step A with progression through the steps based on merit and successful performance evaluation.

Schedule

Work is performed in accordance with established procedures, but employees are expected to apply independent judgment in making routine and emergency decisions.