CORRECTIONAL OFFICER 1* - 09082026-80673

State of Tennessee; Mountain City (TN); On-site; USD 44,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Tennessee in Mountain City, TN is hiring for a Correctional Officer 1. The role involves custody, transport, and rehabilitation of inmates, with shifts and postings across the facility. Initial training leads to higher pay after a year at the Tennessee Correction Academy.

Applicants must meet education and character standards, pass medical and psychological evaluations, and undergo a pre-employment drug screen. A background check is required for consideration.

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school.
• Be willing and able to qualify with, carry, and use assigned weapons.
• Be at least eighteen years of age on date of application.
• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Have a good moral character as determined by investigation.
• Submit to criminal history disclosure as approved by the appointing authority.
• Agree to release all records involving criminal history to the appointing authority.
• Supply a fingerprint sample for a background check.
• Have no felony convictions or honorable discharge conditions.
• Pass a physician-led medical exam per the ADA.
• Pass a psychological evaluation per the ADA.
• Submit to a pre-employment drug screen.

Responsibilities

• Supervises inmate activities in housing, dining, recreation, and work areas.
• Inspects grounds for contraband and security risks.
• Assigns accommodations and searches for contraband during intake.
• Counsels with inmates and families about problems.
• Attends staff meetings and training sessions.
• Prepares daily logs, reports, and requisitions.
• Operates equipment including radios, firearms, and gates.
• Ensures inmate safety and manages disturbances.

Skills

Weapons qualification

Age 18+

US citizen

Moral character

Criminal history disclosure

Fingerprint check

No felony conviction

Medical/psych eval

Pre-employment drug screen

Driver's license

Tennessee Correction Academy

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 09/08/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 09/08/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time 09/21/2026 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 Mountain City, TN

Department Correction

LOCATION OF (2) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION, JOHNSON COUNTY

A Pre-employment Drug Screen Is Required Prior To Employment.

This classification, Correctional Officer 1*, currently has an approved tiered pay structure, Hiring Rate $4,267, 6 months increase to $4,374, 12 months increase $4, 937 with Flex to Correctional Officer 2, 18 months increase $5,060. Newly hired Correctional Officers are also eligible for a $5,000 sign-on bonus, payable over an 18-month period.

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

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.