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Nature of Work
Under direct supervision, performs full
performance, journey level Correctional Officer work in enforcing
rules, regulations and state law necessary for control and
management of offenders and the maintenance of public safety.
Employee may be assigned as a lead officer within a unit or shift
or as an officer assigned to a post or a position requiring
special technical skills. Performs related work as required.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This is the first full
performance level worker within the Correctional Officer class
series. The employee may function as a field training officer,
but most officers are assigned to a specific unit to oversee and
direct the activities of inmates.
Examples of Work
Conducts/assists with orientation or on-the-job training for
beginning Correctional Officers.
Reads and implements training materials; posts orders,
administrative regulations; logs entries and memorandums.
Obtains information from previous shift regarding activities
occurring on that shift.
Conducts/assists with offender intake/discharge procedures;
observes, monitors and supervises offenders to detect
unusual or prohibited behavior and maintains custody and
control within the correctional facility.
Performs counts at regular, or other, intervals to ensure
offender accountability; transports offenders to and from
correctional facilities; searches persons, personal property
and areas; instructs and supervises offenders in performing
assigned tasks.
Maintains public safety and control of offenders by enforcing
rules, regulations and state law; reports violations.
Testifies at internal disciplinary hearings and in court.
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.
Participates in staff, team and committee meetings.
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.
Handles and operates security/communications equipment and/or
firearms as directed in a manner which is consistent with
policy, procedure and state law and which ensures public
safety.
Inspects, inventories, maintains physical control of, and logs
keys, tools, weapons and related equipment; reports damaged
or missing items or other irregularities.
Performs safety and sanitation inspections; supervises cleaning
of institutional 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.
Knowledge of emergency procedures.
Ability to follow and issue written and oral direction within
the chain of command.
Ability to interact positively with staff, inmates and the
general public.
Ability to run, jump, climb stairs and physically restrain
violent residents.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
Ability to use appropriate physical force to control offenders
when necessary.
Ability to safely handle and use firearms, chemical agents and
mechanical restraints and to obtain certification in the use
of this equipment.
Ability to conduct correct contraband searches.
Ability to perform accurate offender counts.
Minimum Qualifications
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Training:
Graduation from a standard high school or the
equivalent.
Experience:
One year of full-time or equivalent part-time paid
experience as a correctional officer, probation/parole
officer, military police officer, police officer or in
criminal justice or related field.
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.
For Division of Juvenile Services:
Training:
Graduation from a standard high school or the
equivalent.
Experience:
One year of full-time or equivalent part-time paid
experience as a correctional officer, probation/parole
officer, military police officer, police officer or in
criminal justice or related field.
Substitution:
Successfully completed study from an accredited
college or university in corrections, criminal justice or
related field with a minimum of two semester hours in
corrections, criminal justice or related field may
substitute at the rate of thirty semester hours for each
year of experience.
Special Requirement:
Completion of the Division of Juvenile
Services Academy and certification of forty hours of in
service training.
For Regional Jail Only:
Training:
Graduation from a standard high school or the
equivalent, plus successful completion of a fundamental
training course for correctional officer, police officer,
military police officer, probation/parole officer, or
position in a related area.
Experience:
One year of full-time or equivalent part-time
paid experience as a correctional officer, police officer,
military police officer, probation/parole officer, or a
related position in criminal justice or related field.
Substitution:
Successfully completed study from an accredited
college or university with a minimum of two semester hours
in corrections, criminal justice or related field may
substitute at the rate of thirty semester hours for the year
of experience.
Established: 8/19/93
Revised: 5/1/94, 8/2/94, 12/4/95, 10/6/97,
10/2/00, 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 as subject to change at any time.
Applicants are subject to mandatory overtime requirement 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 Division of Juvenile Services:
Must be available for assignment to any location in the State
of West Virginia (Juvenile Services hires for specific
locations.)
Shall successfully complete annual in-service training to
maintain Correctional Officer status.
Shall complete specialized training as assigned.
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.