TDCJ - Correctional Officer I

About the role

This posting is for Correctional Officer positions with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) at any available units statewide. You only need to apply once and can select all the units you are interested in within this single application.

Responsibilities

• Supervise inmate work groups
• Prevent escapes
• Maintain discipline according to strict rules and guidelines

View the full TDCJ Correctional Officer Job Description.

Qualifications

You would be a good fit if you meet the following minimum qualifications for Correctional Officer I:

• Graduation from an accredited senior high school or equivalent (GED)
• Successful completion of an accredited TDCJ-approved college Correctional Officer Training program or TDCJ Correctional Officer Pre-Service Training Academy

You would be a great fit if you have any of the following:

• At least 13 months of full-time, wage-earning experience in corrections or law enforcement, including roles such as Correctional Officer, Supervisor of Correctional Officers, Correctional Food Service Manager, Correctional Laundry Manager, or Jailer
• At least two years of active military service with an Honorable or General-Under Honorable discharge (verified by a DD214)
• An Associate’s degree or higher from a CHEA-accredited college or university (verified by an official transcript or diploma)

Correctional Officer Levels and Minimum Qualifications

• Correctional Officer I:
  • Graduation from an accredited senior high school or equivalent (GED)
  • Successful completion of an accredited TDCJ-approved college Correctional Officer Training program or TDCJ Correctional Officer Pre-Service Training Academy
• Correctional Officer II:
  • Seven months of full-time, wage-earning experience as a Correctional Officer, Supervisor of Correctional Officers, Correctional Food Service Manager, Correctional Laundry Manager, Law Enforcement, or Jailer
• Correctional Officer III:
  • Level 1:
    • Thirteen months of full-time, wage-earning experience as a Correctional Officer, Supervisor of Correctional Officers, Correctional Food Service Manager, Correctional Laundry Manager, Law Enforcement, or Jailer (verified by an acceptable employment reference); or
    • An Associate’s degree from a CHEA-accredited college or university (verified by an official diploma or transcript); or
    • Two years of active military service with an Honorable or General-Under Honorable discharge (verified by a DD214)
  • Level 2:
    • Twenty-five months of full-time, wage-earning experience as a Correctional Officer, Supervisor of Correctional Officers, Correctional Food Service Manager, Correctional Laundry Manager, Law Enforcement, or Jailer (verified by an acceptable employment reference)
  • Level 3:
    • Thirty-seven months of full-time, wage-earning experience as a Correctional Officer, Supervisor of Correctional Officers, Correctional Food Service Manager, Correctional Laundry Manager, Law Enforcement, or Jailer (verified by an acceptable employment reference)
• Senior Correctional Officer:
  • Seventy-three months of full-time, wage-earning experience as a Correctional Officer, Supervisor of Correctional Officers, Correctional Food Service Manager, Correctional Laundry Manager, Law Enforcement, or Jailer (verified by an acceptable employment reference); or
  • A Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degree from a CHEA-accredited college or university (verified by an official diploma or transcript); or
  • Four years of active military service with an Honorable or General-Under Honorable discharge (verified by a DD214)

Additional Information

• Continued employment is contingent upon passing exams and skills tests
• Pre-Service Training Academy is required
• This is a hazardous duty position
• Apply once annually through this posting; indicate desired roles and locations using the Statement of Availability in the application
• Qualified applications are valid for one year (from the date of submission) and require yearly renewal if over a year old
• Applicants must submit to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment
• Applicants must submit both a résumé and a completed application, including sufficient work history from either the applicant’s 18th birthday or graduation from high school (whichever is later). Gaps in employment of more than 3 months must be explained

Military Preference

To receive military preference, you must provide proof by attaching the necessary documentation to your job application. Additional Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) codes can be found at the State Auditor’s Office Military Crosswalk Guide.

Contact Information

Questions regarding this position may be directed to:

Michelle Coker
Human Resources Headquarters
2 Financial Plaza, STE 100
Huntsville, TX 77340
Phone: (936) 437-3219
Email: michelle.coker@tdcj.texas.gov