Correctional Officer

CHESTER COUNTY PRISON; West Chester (Chester County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

CHESTER COUNTY PRISON in West Chester, PA is accepting applications for the full-time entry-level Correctional Officer role. You will supervise inmate activity, maintain security in cell blocks and housing units, and monitor corridors and visiting areas to ensure rules are followed.

Candidates must be at least 21, complete required training within 12 months, pass a background check, and possess a high school diploma or GED; a valid license and strong ethics are essential for duty and teamwork.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• PC skills and ability to use software.
• Must pass background check.
• Must complete training within 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Provides care, custody and control of inmates on assigned shift.
• Directs inmate activities and maintains security in cellblocks, housing units, work areas, dining and recreation areas.
• Observes inmates from towers, corridors or visiting areas, searches visitors, moves groups of inmates between areas, patrols assigned areas.
• Provides advice and guidance to inmates for adjustment to correctional processes and facility rules.
• Work varies from direct inmate contact to limited contact duties.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal and written communication

Physical fitness

Criminal background check

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Department of Corrections Training Academy graduate

Tools

Personal computer basics

Job description

The mission of the Chester County Prison is to ensure the public, as well as the correctional staff, a safe environment that provides detention, rehabilitative, recidivism risk reduction, and re-entry services to those who are incarcerated so that they may live in a clean, humane, and secure environment and re-enter the community as a productive citizen.

Chester County Prison is currently accepting applications for the full-time position of Correctional Officer. This is entry-level work involving formal and informal academic and on-the-job training in ensuring the security and safety of Prison staff, inmates (sentenced and non-sentenced), visitors, premises, and property. Under the supervision of senior personnel, an employee in this position directs inmate activity in cell blocks, housing units, work areas, and dining and recreation areas; observes inmates from posted watch stations, and in corridors and visiting areas, ensuring security and adherence to Prison rules; and provides advice and informal guidance to inmates. Work may vary from shift to shift and station to station. An employee in this position serves conditionally during his/her probationary period and must complete, with passing grades, an agenda of formal and informal instruction and practice. The qualified candidate must be at least 21 years of age by the date of hire. Following hire, successful completion and maintenance of accreditation/certification in First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, use of automatic external defibrillator (AED), and satisfactory completion of Basic Training, PA Department of Corrections Academy or its equivalent, is required within 12 consecutive months from date of hire. A favorable criminal background check is required. It is expected that all applicants for this position will achieve and maintain certification in the use, handling, and care of issued mandatory equipment and uniforms for continued appointment.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

• Provides care, custody and control of inmates at a county correctional institution or facility on an assigned shift.
• Directs inmate activities and maintains security in cellblocks, housing units, work areas, dining and recreation areas.
• Observes inmates from towers, in corridors or in visiting areas, searches visitors, moves groups of inmates from one area of an institution to another, patrols assigned areas.
• Provides advice and guidance in assisting inmates in their adjustment to and participating in correctional processes and the facilities rules and regulations.
• Work varies from duties where there is direct involvement with inmates to work where there is limited contact with inmates and visitors.

Essential Functions:

• Ability to supervise inmates participating in work, leisure activities, formal programs, etc., while exercising care, custody and control.
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, e.g., running, lifting, physical intervention and control of inmates.
• Ability to work overtime as required by operational necessities and emergencies.
• Ability to ensure the safety of the public while preventing escapes, disorder and the entry of contraband into the institution.
• Ability to use various equipment and tools of the trade, required by the job classification.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with inmates and staff.
• Ability to analyze situations and problems and provide appropriate solutions.
• Ability to maintain and administer effective code of behavior over inmates.
• Ability to search inmates and all areas for contraband.
• Ability to administer emergency medical assistance to both inmates and staff.
• Ability to attend, participate in and pass all required or mandatory training and/or testing.
• Ability to maintain confidential information and handle confidential matters.
• Must be able to work all posts without advance notice.
• Must be able to work all work shifts.
• Must possess strong interpersonal skills and professional ethics.

Additional Information

Relevant background checks, clearances, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• Basic skill to use a personal computer and various software packages.
• Exhibits sound and accurate judgement.
• Easily adapts to changes in the work environment.
• Ability to use common sense understanding to carry out written or verbal instructions.
• Must maintain a positive attitude and present a positive self-image.
• A valid driver's license is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Department of Corrections Training Academy graduate.
• Criminal justice background.
• Prison/Law enforcement experience and/or training.
• Exposure to loud noise levels.
• Exposure to hot, cold and inclement weather.
• Exposure to infectious or contagious diseases.
• Required to work with high-risk population in confined areas, creating conditions that pose a high stress level environment.
• Daily conditions that could lead to life threating situations.