Correctional Officer Hiring Event (11/18/2026)

Frederick County Government, Maryland; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation leave

Sick leave with carryover

Holiday pay

Health insurance

Life Insurance

Pension plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Frederick County Government is seeking entry-level Correctional Officers for the Frederick County Adult Detention Center. The role includes supervising inmates, enforcing rules, and working under supervision with on-the-job training during an 18-month probationary period.

This non-exempt, full-time position offers comprehensive benefits, shift variety, and opportunities to join a dedicated team within the Sheriff’s Office.

Qualifications

• Minimum age 18 years.
• U.S.A. citizenship.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.
• MPCTC certification or eligibility within 1 year of employment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain direct supervision, security and control over inmate population; enforce facility rules.
• Submit written reports of violations or irregularities to supervisory staff.
• Conduct frequent security checks to ensure safety and security of inmates and facility.
• Escort inmates to in-house activities and enforce safety and security.
• Process incarcerates into the facility and maintain inmate property control.
• Distribute sanitation supplies, deliver mail, and issue bedding and clothing to inmates.
• Communicate with the public, attorneys, bondsmen, and courts as necessary.
• Operate radio equipment, security doors, cameras and life safety systems.

Skills

Security awareness

Discipline enforcement

Communication (oral & written)

Team collaboration

Situational judgment

English proficiency

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

MPCTC Correctional Officer certification (preferred)

Job description

JOB INFORMATION

Join Frederick County Government staff for an all-inclusive Correctional Officer hiring event! On this day, Wednesday, November 18, 2026, applicants will have the opportunity to receive a free physical examination for acceptance to participate in the Sheriff's Office Physical Agility test for Correctional Officer - Recruits, interview with a team of Correctional Officers, and complete the required written examination. Successfully passing each step of the process will send you home with an instant conditional offer of employment!

Position Overview

Non-exempt (compensatory and/or overtime eligible); full-time; 80 hours bi-weekly; all shifts as scheduled; full benefits

This uniformed, entry-level corrections position is responsible for maintaining security and discipline at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center on any shift as assigned by the Assistant Bureau Chief or Bureau Chief. Duties are performed with close supervision from a Field Training Officer, Correctional Officer II or higher. Initial assignments are carried out in accordance with current policies and procedures with structured on-the-job training throughout an 18-month probationary period. The employee participates as a team member with other correctional personnel in maintaining a safe, secure and controlled environment.

Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.

Total Compensation Package

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays (10 and 11 month employees may not receive all holidays)
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 5 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan

NOTE: Benefited employees will accrue service and leave based on the FTE and/or hours worked per calendar year.

Essential Duties And Job Responsibilities

• Maintain direct supervision, security and control over inmate population; enforce facility rules, regulations and disciplinary standards
• As needed, submit written reports of violations or irregularities to supervisory staff
• Maintain a system of regular and on-going counts of the inmate population; participate in routine searches and cell shakedowns to control contraband
• Conduct frequent security checks to ensure the safety and security of the inmate population as well as the overall condition of the facility
• Observe inmate activity and behavior patterns to detect and prevent disturbances, escape attempts and security violations
• Assist in physically controlling dangerous situations
• Escort inmates to and from in-house activities and remain present to enforce safety and security
• Process incarcerates into the facility according to standard procedures; prepare records of personal items and maintain responsibility for inmate property control
• Distribute sanitation supplies, deliver mail, and issue bedding and clothing to inmate population
• Communicate with the public on matters of visiting hours, inmate phone call periods, authorized articles for inmates and other inmate related information
• Communicate with attorneys, bondsmen, law enforcement agencies and the courts as necessary
• Operate radio equipment, electric security doors, monitor cameras and life safety systems, control access to restricted areas by security keys
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform all essential functions satisfactorily. Any employee's position may not be assigned all functions or equipment listed above, and the examples may not cover all functions or equipment that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential functions.

Qualifications And Requirements

• Minimum age 18 years
• U.S.A. citizenship
• High school graduation or the equivalent
• Possession of a valid driver's license
• Eligibility for certification by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions (MPCTC) as a Correctional Officer and/or possession of this certification within 1 year of employment (current certification must be maintained)

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES

• Ability to maintain County Authorized Driver privileges
• Ability to maintain training requirements of FCSO and MPCTC
• Ability to learn and effectively apply appropriate skills and techniques to supervise inmates and enforce facility rules and regulations
• Ability to respond quickly, calmly and appropriately in standard duty and emergency situations, demonstrating good judgment in independent actions and referrals to higher authority
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with inmate population, co-workers and the general public, while maintaining professional attitude, appearance and manner of performance
• Strong and effective written and spoken (English) communication skills, including the ability to write clear, complete and concise reports

Preference May Be Given For

• Current MPCTC Correctional Officer certification - portions of the examination process and/or academy may be waived for these candidates.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

• Sound physical condition in order to effectively respond to spontaneous physical demands of corrections duties (e.g. restraint and control of prisoners, searches, foot pursuit, etc.), with ability to meet and maintain compliance with FCSO physical fitness standards. To review the FCSO physical fitness standards, please visit: https://www.frederickcosheriff.com/correctionalofficer
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to constantly walk, reach and perform repetitive motions; frequently sit, climb, stoop, lift up to 20 pounds and drive; occasionally lift between 20-50 pounds and push up to 40 pounds; and rarely crawl, lift over 50 pounds, push over 40 pounds and pull over 40 pounds
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors in a noisy environment with potential exposure to infectious diseases; frequently work outdoors, walking on uneven ground and wear protective equipment; and rarely work in a dirty and dusty environment

Additional Information / Examination Process

• Available for 24-hour call-in, shift work, weekends, holidays and mandatory overtime
• This position is