CORRECTIONAL OFFICER 1* - 05192026-77588

State of Tennessee; Tennessee; On-site; USD 41,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

State of Tennessee is seeking a Correctional Officer 1 for the Department of Correction in Wartburg, TN. The role carries a starting monthly salary of $4,267 with a $5,000 sign-on bonus payable over 18 months and requires passing a criminal background check and TBI fingerprinting.

The position is full-time, located in Morgan County, and involves safeguarding inmates, inspections for contraband, and daily administrative duties.

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school.
• Be willing to and able to qualify with, carry, and use assigned weapons.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age on the date of application.
• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Have a good moral character, as determined by investigation.
• Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority.
• Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority.
• Supply a fingerprint sample in a manner prescribed by the TBI for a fingerprint based criminal history records check.
• Have no conviction for a felony or have been discharged under any other than honorable conditions from any branch of the United States armed forces.
• Pass a physical examination administered by a licensed physician and a psychological evaluation.
• Submit to and pass a pre-employment screening test for use of illegal drugs.
• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license at the time of appointment in some positions.
• Upon appointment, complete a prescribed course of instruction at the Tennessee Correction Academy.

Responsibilities

• Supervises inmate activities in housing units, dining areas, recreation and work areas, and attends to the medical, visitation, personal property, and recreational needs of the inmates.
• Inspects and patrols the grounds for contraband, unauthorized personnel, and other security risks.
• Checks in new inmates by assigning accommodations, searching for contraband, issuing clothing, and storing personal property.
• Observes inmate behavior; counsels with inmates and family about problems; evaluates inmates on room and personal hygiene, attitudes towards employees and other inmates, and sends this evaluation to the counseling department.
• Attends a variety of meetings such as staff meetings, disciplinary board meetings, and training for riot control, escape prevention, and first aid.
• Prepares a variety of reports such as daily logs, disciplinary reports, records of inmates' jobs and pay, daily inmate counts, and requisitions for office supplies.
• Operates and utilizes a variety of equipment including two-way radios, firearms, mace, electronic gates, television cameras, and may operate motor vehicles.
• Ensures the safety of residents through the supervision of their daily activity.
• Breaks up fights or other potentially dangerous situations by persuasion or the use of physical force.
• Carries out and explains existing policies and procedures to others.

Skills

Citizen of the United States

Good moral character

Background check willingness

Criminal history disclosure

Fingerprinting

Medical and psychological evaluations

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

State of Tennessee Job Information


Opening Date/Time:05/19/2026 12:00AM Central TimeClosing Date/Time06/01/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Work Activities
Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information


Opening Date/Time:05/19/2026 12:00AM Central TimeClosing Date/Time06/01/2026 11:59PM Central Time
Salary (Monthly):$3,631.00 - $5,434.00
Salary (Annually):$43,572.00 - $65,208.00
Job Type:Full-Time
City, State Location:Wartburg, TNDepartmentCorrection

LOCATION OF (10) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION, MORGAN COUNTY

A Motor Vehicle Records screening will be conducted prior to employment

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Newly hired Correctional Officers are eligible for a $5,000 sign-on bonus, payable over an 18-month period.

The classification of Correctional Officer 1 currently has an approved starting salary of $4,267.00 per month, or $51,204.00 per year.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school.

Necessary Special Qualifications: Applicants for this class must:

• Be willing to and able to qualify with, carry, and use assigned weapons
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age on the date of application
• Be a citizen of the United States
• Have a good moral character, as determined by investigation
• Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority
• Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority
• Supply a fingerprint sample in a manner prescribed by the TBI for a fingerprint based criminal history records check
• Have no conviction for a felony or have been discharged under any other than honorable conditions from any branch of the United States armed forces
• Pass a physical examination administered by a licensed physician that is consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and that relates to the essential functions of the position
• Pass a psychological evaluation administered by a licensed mental health professional that is consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and that relates to the essential functions of the position
• Submit to and pass a pre-employment screening test for use of illegal drugs
• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license at the time of appointment in some positions
• Upon appointment, successfully complete a prescribed course of instruction at the Tennessee Correction Academy.
  
  

During their careers, most correctional security employees can expect to be assigned to any one of three different work shifts and any number of different post assignments. While employee work preferences are considered, there is no guarantee that the employee will remain assigned to any specific shift and/or post assignment.

Overview

The Correctional Officer 1 is responsible for correctional work of average difficulty; and performs related work as required. This is the entry working class in the Correctional Officer sub-series. An employee in this class performs correctional work at a state penal institution involving the custody, transport, and rehabilitation of inmates, and may be assigned to work any shift. This class differs from that of Correctional Corporal in that an incumbent of the latter acts as a minor supervisor.

• An applicant appointed to this class will be reclassified to the Correctional Officer 2* after successful completion of a mandatory one-year training period; inadequate or marginal performance during the training period will result in automatic demotion or termination.
  
  

Responsibilities

• Supervises inmate activities in housing units, dining areas, recreation and work areas, and attends to the medical, visitation, personal property, and recreational needs of the inmates.
• Inspects and patrols the grounds for contraband, unauthorized personnel, and other security risks.
• Checks in new inmates by assigning accommodations, searching for contraband, issuing clothing, and storing personal property.
• Observes inmate behavior; counsels with inmates and family about problems; evaluates inmates on room and personal hygiene, attitudes towards employees and other inmates, and sends this evaluation to the counseling department.
• Attends a variety of meetings such as staff meetings, disciplinary board meetings, and training for riot control, escape prevention, and first aid.
• Prepares a variety of reports such as daily logs, disciplinary reports, records of inmates' jobs and pay, daily inmate counts, and requisitions for office supplies.
• Operates and utilizes a variety of equipment including two-way radios, firearms, mace, electronic gates, television cameras, and may operate motor vehicles.
• Ensures the safety of residents through the supervision of their daily activity.
• Breaks up fights or other potentially dangerous situations by persuasion or the use of physical force.
• Carries out and explains existing policies and procedures to others.