Correctional Officer

County of Delaware; Thornton (PA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Delaware seeks a correctional officer responsible for supervising incarcerated persons within a facility. The role involves enforcing facility rules, ensuring safety, and preparing necessary reports. Ideal candidates are resilient, possess a high school diploma, and have the ability to remain calm under pressure.

Benefits

Equal employment opportunities

Reasonable accommodations for disabilities

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; college coursework preferred.
• Ability to work overtime and manage stress.
• Valid driver's license may be required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise incarcerated persons and monitor their activities.
• Conduct emergency responses and ensure safety.
• Prepare reports and maintain daily logs.

Skills

Ability to de-escalate situations

Physical alertness

Communication skills

Ability to handle stress

Education

High school diploma or equivalent certification

College coursework in behavioral sciences preferred

Job description

This position oversees and maintains care, custody, and control of incarcerated persons within a facility, while enforcing the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the agency. Supervises all functions and movement within the institution to include, but not limited to: internal movement of incarcerated persons, utilization of recreation yards/spaces, visitation, medication administration, meals, classes, and commissary.

• Oversees and monitors the activities of the incarcerated persons in living areas, recreationactivitiesareas, diningareas andvisitation areas.
• Coordinates and monitors movement of incarcerated persons, conducts counts, and providesemergencyresponseas needed.
• May be assigned to various posts including, but not limited to, the control room, front andsally port entrance, health services, special housing, perimeter security, transportation, workdetails,reception, intake, andvisits officer, etc.,asrequiredbymanagement.
• Provides security in program activities and supervises labor crews in various areas aroundfacility.
• Conducts shakedown for contraband materials, either individually or as part of a specializedteam. Confiscates contraband in accordance to facility policies andprocedures.
• Initiatesdisciplinaryreportsonincarcerated persons.
• Prepares reportsandmaintainsdailylogsasrequired.
• Ensurespromptandappropriateassistancetoincarcerated personsintheeventofinjury,illnessortrauma.
• Promotesfacilitycleanlinessandreports needformaintenanceor repairs.
• Servesasmemberofspecialteamstorespondtoemergencies asrequired.
• Completestrainingcourses as required byfacilityand industrytrainingstandards.
• Performscorrectional dutiesforanyshiftas defined bymanagement.
• Is available for mandatory or volunteer overtime to support necessary staffing of the facility.
• Obtains certification to carry a department issued service weapon during training and maintains this certification throughout employment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• High school diploma or equivalent certification required. College coursework and advanced training in behavioral sciences, correctional services, or related field preferred. Training in cultural diversity or sensitivity preferred.
• Trainingin cultural diversityorsensitivitypreferred.Possessionofapplicable staterequisitesfor employment.

• Abilityto workovertimeasrequired.
• Abilityto handle physical and mentalstress associated with workingextendedhours.
• Mustbeable toregularlyreport to workwithout beinglate.
• Abilityto bephysicallyalert on anyshift thatis assigned.
• Abilityto work upto sixteen (16) hourswithin a rolling24-hourperiod.
• Mayberequiredto possessvalid statedriver’slicense.
• Mustbemature,flexible,abletocommandtherespectandconfidenceofinmatesordetainees and staff, philosophically committed to the objectives of the facility, and possess ahightoleranceto mentalstress.
• Abilityto work withcomputers andthenecessarysoftwareused bythedepartment.
• Ability to physically perform the essential duties of the position, including, but not limited to, sitting and walking at will, walking/standing and/or sitting for long periods, lifting heavy objects, crouching/kneeling, bending at waist, close and far vision, reaching, handling/ grasping/fingering objects, hearing sounds/communication, and physically restraining incarcerated persons during emergency situations.
• Ability to deal swiftly, rationally and decisively with potentially violent individuals in precarious situations and perform duties despite the stress of potential injuries and/or loss of life to self and/or others.
• Ability to de-escalate volatile situations by means of conversation/negotiation. Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare required forms and reports within department deadlines.
• Ability to effectively listen, comprehend and communicate with co-workers, other County departments, incarcerated persons and their family members, other law enforcement agencies, and the public by intercom, radio, telephone or in person, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.
• Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
• Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written or oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form.
• Ability to work alone or with others in a team environment with minimum supervision
• Ability to occasionally work evening, weekend, irregular, and/or extended hours.

Work Environment: Standard jail facility and office environment.Incumbent performs duties in a jail facility and incarcerated persons involves sitting and walking at will, walking/standing and/or sitting for long periods, lifting/ carrying heavy objects, crouching/kneeling, bending at the waist, close and far vision, reaching, handling/grasping/fingering objects, hearing sounds/communication. Incumbent is frequently exposed to the hazards associated with jail operations, such as potentially violent individuals and communicable disease. No prolonged extreme physical demands are associated with normal duties or assignments, but incumbent may exert strenuous physical effort during emergency situations, such as running distances under one mile and/or physically restraining incarcerated persons. Incumbent must perform duties despite the stress of potential injury and/or loss of life to self-and/or others.

Delaware County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, membership in an employee organization, political affiliation, or status as a veteran in the recruitment, selection, or hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. EEO/AA