· Personnel Home · MQ’s ·  Index ·  Examination Code: R ·

8913
CORRECTIONAL OFFICER 3

Nature of Work
Under direct supervision, serves as a first line supervisor of Correctional Officers. The officer is responsible for enforcing or supervising the enforcement of the rules, regulations and state law necessary for the control and management of offenders and the maintenance of public safety. The officer supervises and reviews the work of subordinates to ensure facility security or the functioning of a specialized post or unit. Performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics
This is first-line supervisory work. Holds the assigned rank of Corporal.

Examples of Work
Conducts/supervises the orientation and/or on-the-job training of subordinate officers.
Reads and implements training materials, post orders, administrative regulations, log entries and/or memoranda.
Provide guidance and direction to subordinate officers.
Monitor the performance of subordinate officers, making recommendations for disciplinary action when necessary.
Counsels/prepares written evaluations of subordinates.
Obtains information from previous shift regarding activities occurring on that shift.
Conduct/assist with offender intake/discharge procedures.
Observes offenders to detect unusual or prohibited behavior and maintain custody and control within the correctional facility.
Performs or supervises offender counts.
Performs or supervises offender escort/transport security.
Performs or supervises contraband searches.
Instructs and supervises offenders in performing assigned tasks.
Maintains public safety and control of offenders by supervising the enforcement of rules, regulations and state law.
Reports violations.
Testifies in 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.
Recognizes and supervises the response 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 ensures public safety.
Conducts incident inquiries/investigations as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of correctional security, treatment and support program operations.
Knowledge of rules, regulations and state law.
Skill in locating and identifying contraband.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
Ability to supervise enforcement of rules, regulations and state law.
Ability to plan, organize and direct subordinate staff and offender activities and work details.
Ability to resolve offender and subordinate staff problems and conflicts.
Ability to follow and issue written and oral direction within a formal 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 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 write routine reports and complete standard forms.
Ability to read and understand and apply training and directive materials.
Ability to complete tasks in a specialization such as Field Training:
Officer.

Minimum Qualifications       [Top]
Training:
Graduation from a standard high school or the equivalent.
Experience:
Two years 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.

For Division of Juvenile Services:
Training:
Graduation from a standard high school or the equivalent.
Experience:
Three years 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 Basic Training Academy.

For Regional Jail Only:
Training:
Graduation from a standard high school or the equivalent.
Experience:
Three years 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.

Established: 8/19/93
Revised:      5/1/94, 8/2/94, 12/4/95, 10/6/97, 10/2/00, 7/1/04, 2/14/08, 5/6/09
Effective:     5/6/09

Conditions of Employment with Division of Corrections:
Applicants must successfully complete competitive promotion selection process governed by agency policy.
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 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.
Applicants shall successfully complete a Supervisory Course within six months of promotion.

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 competitive promotion selection process governed by 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.

[Top of Page]