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

Nature of Work
Under general supervision, serves as a shift or unit supervisor or in a mid-level specialized supervisory capacity. The officer supervises the enforcement of 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 the orderly functioning of a facility or unit. Performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics
Factors such as size of correctional officer complement or offender population are considered in determining assignment of a position to this rank. Holds the assigned rank of Sergeant.

Examples of Work
Supervises orientation and/or on-the-job training of subordinate officers.
Maintains public safety and control of offenders by efficiently supervising the enforcement of rules, regulations and state law.
Conducts roll call and obtains pertinent information from previous shift to communicate to staff coming on duty.
Assigns duties to subordinates and supervises work performed.
Ensures adequate coverage of posts, prepares work schedules, makes required adjustments and maintains attendance records.
Ensures subordinates complete required training.
Ensures performance evaluations are completed.
Makes referrals to employee assistance program.
Recommends staff commendations and disciplinary action.
Performs supervisory duties related to the security of a facility or operation of a specialized unit.
Conducts or supervises inquiries or investigations and takes appropriate action.
Chairs or participates in staff, team or committee meetings.
Ensures security of perimeter and points of ingress/egress.
Recognizes and directs the response to potential or actual emergencies such as, but not limited to fires, physical altercations, disturbances or escapes in a manner consistent with policy procedure and state law.
Ensures offender escort/transport security.
Ensures key and weapon control.
Handles and operates security/communications equipment and/or firearms as required and in a manner consistent with policy and procedure.
Participates in or conducts segregation reviews.
Testifies at internal disciplinary hearings and in court.
Ensures monitoring of disruptive and high profile offenders.
Initiates and supervises contraband searches.
Initiates offender counts to verify location and status of offenders.
Ensures housekeeping, security and safety policies are enforced.
Assists in selection, hiring and promotion.

Additional Examples of Work for Regional Jail:
Performs operational and training tasks related to the operation of a regional jail.
Monitor and schedule correctional work assignments, including leave and overtime.
Conducts orientation sessions and oversees the on-the-job training program.
Ensures mandatory training for correctional staff is completed; maintains training equipment; obtains training locations.
Establish and maintains post orders, operating procedures, and manuals.
Collaborates with court officials regarding inmate legal status.
Monitors work release program; assigns and monitors trustee work assignments.
Conducts inventories to ensure adequate operational materials.
Compile statistics and reports.

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 effectively plan, assign, supervise and direct subordinate staff.
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 use a computer terminal for entry of data by typing at a rudimentary level on a standardized format.
Ability to initiate and supervise accurate offender counts.
Ability to initiate and supervise contraband searches.

Minimum Qualifications       [Top]
Training:
Graduation from a standard high school or the equivalent.
Experience:
Four 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:
Five 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 Academy and certification of forty hours of in service training.

For Regional Jail Only:
Training:
Graduation from a standard high school or the equivalent.
Experience:
Four 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: 4/1/94
Revised:      5/1/94, 8/2/94, 8/3/94, 8/4/94, 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 an Administrative 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]