CORRECTIONAL OFFICER 1* - 10062026-81487

State of Tennessee; Mountain City (TN); On-site; USD 44,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

$5,000 sign-on bonus

Job summary

State of Tennessee is hiring a Correctional Officer 1 in Mountain City, TN. This entry-level role handles inmate supervision, security checks, and daily operations in a state pen. A mandatory background check, pre-employment drug screen, and Tennessee Correction Academy training apply.

Initial pay is structured with tiered increases and a $5,000 sign-on bonus payable over 18 months. Education required is a high school diploma or equivalent; duties include shifts and post assignments as part of a

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school.
• Willing to qualify with, carry, and use assigned weapons.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Good moral character.
• Criminal history disclosure form required.
• Fingerprint sample required.
• No felony convictions or approved discharge from US armed forces.
• Pass physical examination and psychological evaluation.
• Pre-employment drug screening.
• Valid driver's license may be required.
• Complete Tennessee Correction Academy course.

Responsibilities

• Supervises inmate activities in housing, dining, recreation and work areas.
• Inspects grounds for contraband and security risks.
• Check in new inmates, search, issue clothing and store property.
• Observe inmate behavior and counsel; report evaluations.
• Attend staff, disciplinary, riot control, and first aid trainings.
• Prepare logs, disciplinary reports, inmate/job/pay records, counts.
• Operate radios, firearms, mace, gates, cameras; drive as needed.
• Ensure inmate safety and break up fights when necessary.
• Explain and enforce policies and procedures.

Job description

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 10/06/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Job Information

Opening Date/Time 10/06/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time 10/19/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly) $3,667.00 - $5,488.00

Salary (Annually) $44,004.00 - $65,856.00

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

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 criminal background check. Applicants are required to provide information about themselves to be considered for this position. A pre-employment drug screen is required prior to employment.

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.