Correctional Officer 3

Correctional Officer

Special Hiring Rates: $55,900.416 upon hire/reallocation - Critical Vacancy Pay Facilities: Huttonsville Correctional Center and Jail, Mount Olive Correctional Complex and Jail, Western Regional Jail and Corrections Facility, Northern Correctional Facility (includingOhio County Correctional Center), Northern Regional Jail and Correctional Facility, Chick Buckbee Juvenile Center, Vicki Douglas Juvenile Center, Potomac Highlands Regional Jail and Correctional Facility, and Eastern Regional Jail and Corrections Facility (including Martinsburg Correctional Center)

$50,900.304 upon hire/reallocation - Remainder of the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation facilities

Under general supervision at the full performance level, serves as a lead workers of Correctional Officers. These positions are responsible for planning, assigning and reviewing the work of other Correctional Officers to ensure facility security and/or the functioning of a specialized post or unit. Distinguishing Characteristics: These positions serve as lead worker or as a key control, tool control, and armory officer and hold the assigned rank of Corporal. They may also serve as non-supervisory K-9 handlers.

Examples of Work

• Conduct orientation and/or on-the-job training of Correctional Officers.
• Read and implement 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 assignments to units as necessary.
• Obtain information from previous shift regarding activities occurring on that shift.
• Conduct/assist with offender intake/discharge procedures.
• Observe offenders to detect unusual or prohibited behavior and maintain custody and control within the correctional facility.
• Perform and train subordinate officers to conduct offender counts and offender escort/transport security.
• Perform and train subordinate officers to conduct contraband searches.
• Instruct offenders in performing assigned tasks.
• Maintain public safety and control of offenders by ensuring the enforcement of rules, regulations and state law; report violations.
• Testify in internal disciplinary hearings and in court.
• Listen and respond appropriately to offender requests, problems and complaints.
• Model appropriate personal and social living skills when interacting with offenders.
• Recognize and train subordinate officers to respond to potential or actual emergencies, such as but not limited to, fires, physical altercations, disturbances or escapes in a manner that is consistent with policy, procedure and state law and ensure public safety.
• Handle and operate security/communications equipment and/or firearms as directed in a manner that is consistent with policy, procedure and state law and ensures public safety.
• Conduct 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 train subordinate officers on the rules, regulations and state law.
• Ability to lead 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 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, understand and apply training and directive materials.
• Ability to complete tasks in a specialized assignment.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Minimum Qualifications

Training: High school diploma or the equivalent.

AND

Experience: Two (2) years of full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience as a Correctional Officer, probation/parole officer, U.S. Military Service, police officer or in a criminal justice or related field.

OR

Substitution: Successfully completed coursework from an accredited college or university in corrections, criminal justice or related field may be substituted for the required experience at the rate of one (1) year for every thirty (30) semester hours of study.

Conditions of Employment

• Applicants must successfully complete a psychological examination prior to appointment and as required thereafter.
• Applicants must successfully complete a medical examination prior to appointment and as required 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 random drug testing, as well as drug testing for reasonable suspicion as set forth in agency policy.
• Applicant's 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.
• All employees assigned to the K9 unit shall qualify with the agency issued handgun, shotgun, and basic rifle prior to graduation from the Special Operations Basic Course and at least semi-annually thereafter."
• Applicant's background must be clear of any activity prohibited by the Prison Rape Elimination Act. Applicants are subject to recurring background checks as may be required by law, rule, standard, or policy.
• Applicants 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 must maintain a working telephone in order for the agency to contact them. Applicants shall successfully complete training as may be required by policies established by the Commissioner or as may be required by law, rule or standard.
• Applicants shall successfully complete a Supervisor Training Course within six (6) months of reallocation.

Other Information

Additional Information:

• Upon completion of the first year of continuous service in the position, any employee hired into the rank of the Correctional Officer series shall receive a retention incentive of $2,000.
• Employees in this classification shall receive an annual base building pay differential of $250 on July 1st, beginning July 1, 2024. This pay differential shall be allowed to take DCR employees' salaries above the maximum of the compensation range.
• If an employee is hired into a Critical Vacancy Pay Facility (CVPF) and leaves the facility, the additional pay differential of $5,000 shall be removed from their salary, unless transferring to another CVPF.

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