CORRECTIONAL OFFICER 2* - 09222026-81077

State of Tennessee; Tiptonville (TN); On-site; USD 49,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus $5,000 payable over 18mo

Job summary

State of Tennessee invites applications for a Correctional Officer 2 in Tiptonville, TN. This full-time position involves custody, transportation, and inmate rehabilitation within the Lake County Department of Correction. A Criminal Background check and MVR screening are required.

Education: high school diploma or equivalent; substitution of experience is allowed. Candidates must meet multiple qualifications including weapons eligibility, age, citizenship, and completion of Tennessee Correction

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school and experience equivalent to one year of full‑time adult correctional security work or adult correctional security work with ACA accreditation.
• Substitution of Experience for Required Education: Qualifying full‑time employment as a Correctional Officer may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

• Supervises inmate activities in housing units, dining areas, recreation and work areas, and attends to medical, visitation, personal property, and recreational needs.
• 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 staff meetings, disciplinary boards, and training for riot control, escape prevention, and first aid.
• Prepares reports such as daily logs, disciplinary reports, records of inmates' jobs and pay, daily counts, and requisitions for office supplies.
• Operates and utilizes equipment including radios, firearms, mace, electronic gates, cameras, and may operate motor vehicles.
• Ensures the safety of residents through supervision of their daily activity.
• Breaks up fights or dangerous situations by persuasion or use of physical force.
• Performs and explains existing policies and procedures to others.

Skills

Active Learning and Listening

Critical Thinking

Reading Comprehension

Learning Strategies

Writing

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

State of Tennessee Job Information

Job Information

Opening Date/Time 09/22/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time 10/05/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly) $4,057.00 - $6,099.00

Salary (Annually) $48,684.00 - $73,188.00

Job Type Full-Time

City, State Location Tiptonville, TN

Department Correction

LOCATION OF (5) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION, LAKE COUNTY

A Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) screening will be conducted prior to employment.

Newly hired Correctional Officers are eligible for a $5,000 sign-on bonus, payable over an 18-month period. This classification, Correctional Officer 2, currently has a hiring rate which begins at $4,480 per month.

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.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school and experience equivalent to one year of full‑time adult correctional security work or adult correctional security work with a federal or state agency or a local agency accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA).

Substitution of Experience for Required Education: Qualifying full‑time employment as a Correctional Officer with the State of Tennessee may be substituted for the required education on a year‑for‑year basis.

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
• 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 2 is responsible for correctional work of average difficulty; and performs related work as required. This is the working level 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 is flexibly staffed with and differs from the Correctional Officer 1, in that an incumbent of the latter performs entry‑level work. This class differs from that of Correctional Corporal in that an incumbent of the latter acts as a minor supervisor.

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.

Competencies (KSA's)

• Decision Quality
• Manages Conflict
• Communicates Effectively
• Ensures Accountability
• Situational Adaptability

Knowledges

• Public Safety and Security
• Customer and Personal Service
• Law and Government

Skills

• Active Learning and Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Learning Strategies
• Writing

Abilities

• Number Facility
• Problem Sensitivity
• Speech Clarity
• Speech Recognition
• Written Comprehension