CORRECTIONS OFFICER (Job ID 51837)

Summary

To perform work as a Corrections Officer in accordance with established rules, regulations, post orders, and specific instructions; receives general administrative direction. To maintain professional and personal integrity, ethics, and a positive community standing in and outside the work environment; establishes a correctional environment supportive of rehabilitative activities and access to healthcare services reflective of reducing the risks of recidivism. This position works as an armed post.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or high school equivalency credential.
• Experience: Six months of experience as a Corrections Officer or its equivalent in the areas of law enforcement, police work, or the military.
• Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid driver's license.

Other Requirements

• Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
• Ability to use firearms and to demonstrate proficiency by passing weapons qualifications on an annual basis.
• Selected candidates will be required to participate and complete training at the Corrections Academy as scheduled, and must obtain certification as a Corrections Officer, issued by the Police Standards and Training Council during their probationary period.
• Successfully participate in the physical agility test designed to measure one's ability to perform essential job functions which are physically demanding tasks encountered in job performance.
• After conditional offers of appointment have been made, prospective appointees must pass a comprehensive medical examination provided at the state's expense. The Provider administering medical examinations will be selected by the NH Department of Corrections.
• Trainee Option: Candidates with an equivalent combination of a high school diploma, and no previous experience may be considered and hired in “trainee status” for this position.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

None

AFTER-HIRE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must successfully participant and meet the criteria as outlined in the state administrative rule Pol 300 Applicants and Qualifications - Police Standards and Training Council for Corrections Officers.

Career Advancement Opportunities

In-Band Advancement Available: Yes Criteria: For the in-band advancement to be applied, the eligibility requirements in Per 303.09 In-Band Advancement must be satisfied, as well as the following:

• Satisfactory completion of the Examinations Requirements and Certifications of a Corrections Officer.
• Six months of experience as a Corrections Officer or its equivalent in the areas of law enforcement, police work, or the military.
• Satisfactory job performance during evaluation period.
• At the recommendation of superiors.

Responsibilities

• Maintains security in buildings, towers, and other posts of an adult correctional facility, intervenes during emergencies or altercations, and gains physical control of offenders.
• Supervises, escorts, and/or transports the movement of offenders inside and outside the correctional facility, conducts periodic counts, and searches offenders and their living quarters for contraband.
• Conducts interviews and obtains the statements of victims, witnesses, suspects, and other involved parties during incidents.
• Prepares appropriate tracking, reports, and documentation pertaining to occurrences, actions, and incidents detailing concerns or violations for use in disciplinary and mitigation proceedings.
• Discusses issues and minor adjustment problems with offenders and refers more severe concerns to superiors or proper correctional facility staff. Promotes rehabilitation by modifying the offender's social attitudes, discouraging undesirable behaviors, and encouraging worthwhile activities utilizing effective verbal communication skills to direct, mentor, and deescalate encounters while performing their daily duties.
• Detects offenders, forcibly if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints; subdues resisting offenders using maneuvers, approved non-lethal and lethal, if necessary, within the scope outlined in NH RSA 627; Justification Utilizes weapons (non-lethal and lethal), and hands and feet in self-defense to establish safe control for the safety of staff, other residents, and the community.
• Performs rescue functions as a first responder within correctional facilities and grounds by administering emergency medical aid and evacuating offenders, visitors, and staff from dangerous situations, communicating with other agency members and outside emergency medical resources for response in the pursuit of providing life-saving measures. Implements protective protocols and utilizes appropriate gear and tools for disease prevention, health and safety, overdose of substances, and exposure to violence.
• Utilizes several technological tools and devices while performing diverse security and administrative duties, including but not limited to handheld radios, recording devices, computers, security control panels, tarsiers, and firearms. Enters and accesses records and protects confidential criminal justice data stored in various information systems.
• Maintains all ongoing training requirements of the DOC and the New Hampshire law enforcement as outlined in NH RSA 106-L including but not limited to mental health training, post-traumatic stress disorder, ethics, unconscious bias, diversity and Alzheimer's disease and other related dementia.
• Acts as ex officio constable with general police powers (including arrest) within the confines of the corrections facility when in pursuit of persons who have committed violations in the facility complex or when transporting a court-committed resident.

Total Compensation Information

The State of NH total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits, including:

• HMO or POS Medical and Prescription Drug Benefits.
• Dental Plan at minimal cost for employees and their families ($500-$1800 value).
• Flexible Spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts.
• State defined benefit retirement plan and Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan.
• Work/life balance flexible schedules, paid holidays and generous leave plan.
• $50,000 state-paid life insurance plus additional low-cost group life insurance.
• Incentive-based Wellness Program (ability to earn up to $500).

Total Compensation Statement Worksheet: https://www.das.nh.gov/jobsearch/compensation-calculator.aspx Want the specifics? Explore the Benefits of State Employment on our website: https://www.das.nh.gov/hr/documents/BenefitBrochure.pdf https://www.das.nh.gov/hr/index.aspx EOE TDD Access: Relay NH 1-800-735-2964