Correctional Officer I / K-9 Officer

Adult Correction; North Carolina; On-site; USD 34,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance options

Retirement Plans

NCFlex Supplemental Benefits

Paid Vacation Sick and Community Leave

Paid Parental Leave

Job summary

The NC Department of Adult Correction invites applications for a Correctional Officer I (S) within the Division of Institutions. This role emphasizes canine handling, daily operations, safety, and compliance across state prisons, with training and oversight responsibilities for canine teams.

Applicants should hold a High School diploma or GED and meet CJ standards, pass background checks, drug screening, and medical/psychological evaluations.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of overseeing daily operations within a correctional facility or comparable secure institutional environment.
• Experience applying and enforcing offender‑management policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Experience participating in or leading emergency preparedness activities, including coordination with special response teams.
• Proficiency in the safe use, maintenance, and qualification of firearms, with current certifications or documented training records.
• K9 handling experience preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Responds to emergencies, searches for escaped offenders.
• The canine handler will be responsible for the training and utilization of all canines.
• The handler ensures the well-being of assigned canines, including care for kennels and medical history records.
• Care and maintenance of an assigned vehicle and equipment.
• Participate in annual in-service training and specialized handler/canine certification.
• Coordinate with special teams as needed.

Skills

Correctional operations

Offender management

Emergency preparedness

Firearms qualification

K9 handling

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Agency Adult Correction Division COO - OPS - Institutions Operations

Correctional Officer I (S) Position Number 60057468 Grade CR05

About Us

The NC Department of Adult Correction is one of the largest state agencies with more than 14,000 employees. It is responsible for safeguarding and preserving lives and property through prevention, protection, and preparation as well as the care, custody, and supervision of all adults sentenced for violating North Carolina laws. This department includes state prisons with custody, healthcare, and facility operations staff as well as probation/parole officers who supervised sentenced people in the community. Other divisions include Administration, Health Services, Rehabilitation & Reentry, Special Operations and the Post-Release Supervision & Parole Commission. We have a mission that matters!

Description of Work

• Responds to emergencies, searches for escaped offenders.
• The position will be responsible for the training and utilization of all canines.
• The handler will be responsible for the well-being of canines assigned to him/her, including the cleanliness of the canines and the kennels.
• The canine handler is responsible for the daily care and feeding of the canines, ensuring appropriate medical care, and maintaining a record of the canines’ medical history.
• The handler will be responsible for the proper care and maintenance of an assigned vehicle and equipment.
• The handler must participate in annual in-service training and any specialized training required for handler/canine certification.
• This position may be required to coordinate and work with special teams and their missions.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $33,902.00 - $59,327.00 Internal Posting

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required.

Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

• Demonstrates a minimum of 2 years of experience overseeing daily operations within a correctional facility or comparable secure institutional environment.
• Provides documented experience applying and enforcing offender‑management policies, procedures, rules, and regulations in an operational setting.
• Shows verifiable experience participating in or leading emergency preparedness activities, including coordination with special response teams.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the safe use, maintenance, and qualification of firearms, supported by current certifications or documented training records.
• Previous K9 handling experience is preferred but not required.

Posting Closing Date

The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before the End Date.

About The Division of Institutions

The Division of Institutions manages the daily operations of all state-operated prison facilities across North Carolina. Facilities are categorized by custody levels (minimum, medium, close) and house individuals serving sentences for felony convictions. The division provides safety, security, and rehabilitative services through trained custody staff, program facilitators, and administrative personnel.

Compensation and Benefits

• Health Insurance options
• Retirement Plans
• NCFlex Supplemental Benefits
• Paid Vacation, Sick, and Community Service Leave
• Paid Parental Leave

Visit the State Benefits website for additional information.

CJ ROLE

• Meet Criminal Justice Standards requirements (12 NCAC 09G .0302)
• Pass a criminal background check
• Produce a negative drug screening result
• Successfully complete medical and psychological evaluations
• Possess a valid driver’s license

Criminal Justice Certified Positions

• Meet Criminal Justice Standards requirements (12 NCAC 09G .0302)
• Pass a criminal background check
• Produce a negative drug screening result
• Successfully complete medical and psychological evaluations
• Possess a valid driver’s license

Education Equivalency Verification

• For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.
• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

PREA Requirement

• Click this link for information on hiring and promotion prohibition requirements for all positions in the NC Dept. of Adult Correction: PREA Hiring and Promotion Prohibitions

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), NCDAC is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

Minimum Education and Experience

High School or General Educational Development (GED) diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Special Qualifications

• Must be eligible for certification by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.