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Nature of Work
Under direct supervision, performs beginning level Correctional Officer work. The employee is responsible for enforcing rules, regulations and state law necessary for the control and management of offenders and the maintenance of public safety. The probationary period is twelve months. Performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics
This is the entry level into the Correctional Officer series. The employee is considered as having trainee status until the supervising officer determines that the Correctional Officer 1 can function independently.

Examples of Work
Reads and implements training materials, post orders, administrative regulations, log entries and/or memoranda.
Obtains information from previous shift regarding activities occurring on that shift.
Observes and monitors offenders to detect unusual or prohibited behavior and maintain custody and control within the correctional facility.
Performs counts at regular, or other, intervals to insure offender accountability.
Escorts offenders to and from various facility areas.
Searches persons, personal property and areas.
Supervises offenders in performing assigned tasks.
Conducts/assists with intake/discharge procedures for offenders.
Maintains public safety and control of offenders by enforcing rules, regulations and state law.
Reports violations.
Testifies at internal disciplinary hearings and in court.
Transports offenders to and from correctional facilities.
Interacts with offenders in order to facilitate development or improvement of living and social skills; reinforces positive behavior; listens and responds appropriately to offender requests, problems and complaints.
Recognizes and responds to potential or actual emergencies, such as, but not limited to, fires, physical altercations, disturbances, or escapes in a manner which is consistent with policy, procedure and state law and ensures public safety.
Participates in staff, team and committee meetings.
Handles/operates security/communications equipment and/or firearms as directed and in a manner which is consistent with policy, procedure and state law and ensures public safety.
Inspects, inventories, maintains physical control of, and logs keys, tools, weapons and related equipment.
Reports damaged or missing items or other noted irregularities.
Performs safety and sanitation inspections.
Supervises cleaning of facility areas and inmate hygiene activities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of correctional security, treatment and support program operations.
Knowledge of rules, regulations and state law.
Ability to read and understand training materials, policies, procedures and related written material.
Ability to follow verbal instructions and written directives and to follow a formal chain of command.
Ability to enforce rules, regulations and state law.
Ability to provide an accurate count of offenders.
Ability to safely handle and use mechanical restraints, intermediate weapons and firearms and be certified as required.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
Ability to run, jump, climb stairs and physically restrain violent offenders.
Ability to plan, organize and direct offender activities and work details.
Ability to resolve offender problems and conflicts and to handle requests.

Minimum Qualifications       [Top]
Training:
Graduation from a standard high school or the equivalent.
Experience:
One year of full-time or equivalent part-time paid general work experience.
Substitution:
Successfully completed study from an accredited college or university in corrections, criminal justice or related field may substitute at the rate of thirty semester hours for each year of experience.

Established: 8/19/93
Revised:     5/1/94, 8/2/94, 12/4/95, 8/15/96, 10/6/97, 7/1/04, 1/18/08, 5/6/09
Effective:     5/6/09

Conditions of Employment with Division of Corrections:
Applicants must successfully complete a psychological examination prior to appointment and annually thereafter.
Applicants must successfully complete a medical examination prior to appointment and annually thereafter.
Applicants must successfully complete a physical performance test prior to appointment and annually thereafter.
Applicants must successfully complete a chemical urinalysis drug screening test prior to initial employment. All employees in this job class shall be subject to drug testing for probable cause as set forth in agency policy.
Applicants character and suitability for employment as a Correctional Officer must be verified through an agency investigation prior to employment. Applicant's background must be clear of felony convictions.
Applicants appointed to the classified service will be required to work various shifts and it is understood schedules are subject to change at any time.
Applicants are subject to mandatory overtime requirements and must be available for assignment to any location in the State of West Virginia.
Applicants must possess a valid driver's license prior to appointment and continuously maintain such license while employed in this classification.
Applicants shall successfully complete orientation training upon employment.
Applicants shall successfully complete annual in-service training to maintain Correctional Officer status.
Applicants shall successfully complete specialized training as assigned. This particularly includes training, licensing, certification or education requirements necessary for assignment to a specialized post or position.

Conditions of Employment with Regional Jail:
Applicants must successfully complete a psychological evaluation prior to appointment and at anytime required during employment.
Applicants character and suitability for employment as a Correctional Officer must be verified by a background investigation prior to appointment.
Applicants must submit to and meet minimum standard for a physical examination prior to employment.
Applicants must successfully complete an oral interview prior to appointment.
Applicants must successfully complete a chemical urinalysis drug screening test prior to initial employment. All employees in this job class shall be subject to drug testing for probable cause as set forth in agency policy.
Applicants must successfully meet physical standards to perform the essential functions and tasks prior to appointment and annually thereafter.
Applicants must be available to work all shifts and assignments and work overtime as required; and, furthermore, be available for temporary assignment to any location in the State of West Virginia.
Applicants must possess a valid driver's license prior to appointment and continuously maintain such license while employed.
Applicants shall successfully complete orientation training upon employment.
Applicants shall successfully complete annually forty (40) hours of in-service training, undergo a physical examination, and pass a test of physical conditioning successfully.
Applicants shall successfully complete one hundred and twenty (120) hours of basic correctional officer training during probationary period.
Applicants shall successfully complete specialized training as assigned, including any particular training, licensing, certification or education requirements necessary for assignment to a post or position.
Applicants must maintain a telephone at his/her residence for the duration of employment.
Applicants must possess the ability to perform the essential functions and tasks of an entry level correctional officer.

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