Corrections Officer

About the role

Working in corrections is a challenging but rewarding career, where you can make a difference in the lives of others. As one of the largest corrections employers in the State of Washington, King County is able to offer job stability and security, and unique opportunities for career development, advanced training, and assignment to specialty units.

King County DAJD correctional facilities operate 24-hours per day, 7-days per week. Typical shifts are 06:20 to 14:30 hours, 14:20 to 22:30 hours, and 22:20 to 06:30 hours, and may also include overtime when necessary. Alternative shifts, including the potential to be scheduled 12-hour shifts, may be offered or required on a limited basis.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all activities of jail residents, including recreation, distribution of meals, mail, commissary requests, educational classes, visitation time, professional visits, social workers, and other authorized activities.
• Enforce rules and guidelines while managing jail resident behavior, in accordance with jail policies and procedures.
• Ensure and maintain the safe, secure, humane custody of jail residents, adhering to constitutional obligations including access to legal counsel, medical and mental health services as required.
• Relay approved information concerning jail residents to relatives, attorneys, probation and police officers, and others.
• Use appropriate physical defensive interventions and restraint techniques to maintain custody and control, up to and including deadly force, in accordance with local, state, and federal law; achieve and maintain proficiency in application and use of defensive interventions and physical agility.
• Participate in required trainings in defensive tactics, electronic control devices, pepper spray, and other emergency and safety equipment.
• Ability to perform under high stress when confronted with emergent, critical, or dangerous situations; handle multiple activities simultaneously; exercise sound judgment under stressful circumstances in which working with speed and sustained attention are critical to the job.
• Summon medical attention for jail residents and render emergency first aid and CPR.
• Receive, book and release jail residents according to policies and procedures, assisting with entering personal data on required databases, logs, and files, as well as checking for outstanding warrants.
• Operate control room and/or central surveillance, monitor close circuit television (CCTV) cameras, control access and egress within jails, security and alarms systems, communication & radio traffic, and other electronic screening devices.
• Cookordination with courts to ensure jail residents appear as required.
• Write detailed reports concerning any recommendation, problem, observation or emergency situations or occurrences within the jail, according to DAJD policy and training, or when directed by supervisors.
• Provide excellent customer services, including professional and respectful behavior at all times. Ensure confidentiality is upheld to the highest ethical standard. Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Inspect facility jail residents, visitors, and packages delivered to the facility.
• Conduct searches related to safety and security to include, but not limited to vehicles, facilities, property and person for contraband, health hazards, safety, and security violations.

Qualifications

• You must be a citizen of the United States or a person who is legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
• Twenty-one years of age by the time of hire.
• Valid Washington State Driver's License by the time of hire.
• Must have the ability to read, speak, and write in the English language fluently.
• Most competitive: Applicants who possess corrections and/or criminal justice experience.
• Lateral Experience: Training requirements and starting salary range will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Knowledge, Skills

• Minimum qualifications for entry level: High school diploma or GED.
• Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills: Most competitive: Applicants who possess corrections and/or criminal justice experience.

Benefits

Total compensation and benefits package: King County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how much we value our employees. The following is what you can expect as a full-time benefited King County employee:

• Up to $5,250 in annual tuition reimbursement for degrees in approved fields of study.
• Comprehensive provision of uniforms and equipment, including an annual uniform maintenance stipend and allocation of training ammunition.
• Meals or meal vouchers provided while on duty.
• 12 days of annual vacation leave with progressive career increases up to a maximum of 30 vacation days per year.
• 12 days of sick leave with unlimited annual carryover.
• 12 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 personal holidays.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance: Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents.
• Retirement: King County employees participate in a generous pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and can voluntarily participate in additional 457k deferred compensation options.
• Correctional Officers may be eligible for the following additional pay premiums above the posted base salary: firearms qualified, bilingual premiums, field training officer pay, and longevity pay.
• Transportation program, free ORCA transit pass, and paid parking.
• Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, bereavement leave, volunteer service leave, and military service leave.
• Flexible Spending Account, wellness programs, Employee Giving Program. Employee Assistance Programs, training & career development programs.
• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Selection process

• Incumbents selected for this position must submit all required forms and materials, and successfully complete each of the following:
• King County application for employment.
• The DAJD background investigation process is a thorough and extensive process which includes but is not limited to; completion of an extensive Background Investigation Questionnaire, Washington Department of Child Youth & Families Neglect Founded Findings Request, polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, fingerprinting, criminal background check, social media check, reference checks, final interview, and physical examination (pre-employment physical).
• The background investigation is an ongoing process and may lead to termination of employment if adverse information is obtained during employment.
• All Corrections Officers are required to pass the Physical Ability Test (PAT) in order to attend the Corrections Officer Academy. The physical qualification process will include the following components: Push-Ups: 15 minimum, 90 second time limit Sit-Ups: 12 minimum, 90 second time limit Squat Thrusts: 25 minimum, 3-minute time limit To pass the Physical Agility Test administered by the WSCJTC, the applicant must pass all three events.
• The PAT is graded on PASS/FAIL and is no longer scored by points.
• Failure to successfully pass the WSCJTC PAT will result in termination of employment.
• Incumbents must complete a six-week orientation, a ten-week Corrections Officer Academy (COA length is subject to change per WSCJTC policy), a six-week field training program, and successfully complete a minimum one-year probationary period.
• All incumbents must be able to participate in rigorous physical training at the academy and must be able to work with adult jail residents in physical situations throughout their employment.