Correctional Officer

Okaloosa County School System; Crestview (FL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Okaloosa County School System is seeking a dedicated security professional to oversee inmate custody and supervision, ensuring safety for the facility and surrounding communities. You will enforce rules, monitor activities, and maintain detailed records while coordinating with other facility areas.

This role requires physical ability, background clearance, and Florida FDLE Corrections certification. Depending on assignment, K9 handling may be required; CDL or related endorsements may be

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; must be a U.S. citizen; pass background checks and fingerprinting.
• FDLE Corrections Certification required; valid driver license; CDL class C with P endorsement preferred; K9 handler cert may be required depending on assignment.
• Physical and functional requirements: capable of lifting, running, and climbing; read and apply policies; data entry and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Provide custody, care, and supervision of inmates; enforce rules and safety procedures.
• Monitor inmates and grounds via cameras, head counts, logs, and scheduled activities; report unusual activity.
• Oversee inmate housing, meals, visits, medical, and recreation; maintain cleanliness per regulations.
• Conduct inmate and cell searches; transport inmates as needed; inspect visitors and packages.
• Process prisoners according to policies; communicate rules to inmates and visitors.
• Maintain records and reports; respond to crises and disciplinary hearings.
• May act as a K9 handler if assigned; participate in related duties.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education

High school diploma or GED

FDLE Corrections Certification

Valid driver license

Job description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Responsible for the custody, care, control, and overall supervision of inmates while safeguarding the surrounding communities.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

• Provides security oversight and supervision of inmates at all times; enforces established rules and regulations.
• Monitor inmates and grounds with surveillance cameras, through head counts, visitor logs, and inmate scheduled activities and reports unusual activity to ensure safety and security.
• Oversee inmate activities including meals, classes, visitation, medical, and recreation.
• Ensures inmate housing areas are clean in in compliance with regulations to include issuing cleaning supplies and other items approved for use in housing areas.
• Conducts inmate and cell searches.
• May be required to transport inmates using a motor vehicle.
• Inspects visitors and packages delivered to the facility.
• Books and processes incoming and outgoing prisoners according to written policies and procedures.
• Communicates rules, safety and security procedures, and related responsibilities to inmates and visitors of the facility.
• Creates and maintains detailed and accurate records, forms, and reports..
• Responds to crisis and confrontational situations as outlined by policies and procedures.
• Effectively communicates with all other areas of the facility.
• Participates in disciplinary hearings.
• May require the obligations of a K9 handler; e.g., training, handling, caring and overall well-being of the canine partner at all times, depending on assignment.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Training, and Experience: Requires a high school diploma or GED. Must be at least 18 years of age and a citizen of the United States. Must be able to pass a background investigation and fingerprinting, which includes no felony convictions, no misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, or received dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces. Must be able to pass a physical examination by an approved licensed physician, physician assistant, or licensed advanced practice registered nurse. Must meet all other statutory requirements as outlined in sections 943.13 F.S. and 943.135 F.S.

Licenses and/or Certifications: Certification in the Corrections discipline through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is required. Requires a valid driver license. A valid Class “C” CDL with a “P” endorsement is preferred. May require certification as a K9 handler through the National Police Canine Association or other recognized certifying agency, depending on assignment.

Other Requirements

Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to exert in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Must ascend/descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs or hands and arms. Must be able to run occasionally. Must be able to bend the body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist, requiring full use of the lower extremities and back muscles. Must be able to bend legs at knees to come to rest on knee(s). Must be able to bend body downward and forward by bending legs and spine. Must be able to reach, extend hand(s) in any direction. Must be able to handle, seize, hold, grasp, turn or otherwise work with hand(s). Must be able to finger, pick, pinch or otherwise work primarily with fingers rather than the whole hand or arm. Must be able to stand and/or walk for more than 50% of the time. Physical demands exceed those of sedentary work.

Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of policy and procedure manuals, work orders, logs, technical data, etc. Requires the ability to enter data into computer and prepare reports, correspondence, etc., with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Must be able to speak with clarity, voice control and confidence and to articulate information to others.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of effective jail management and common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions; to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in or from standardized situations; to make independent judgments in the absence of supervisor; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.

Numerical Aptitude: Must be able to add and subtract totals, multiply and divide.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond receiving instructions. Must be able to perform under high levels of stress when confronted with an emergency or tight deadline.