CORRECTIONAL OFFICER III

Internal Careers; Safford (AZ); On-site; USD 54,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation and sick days

Paid parental leave

Comprehensive insurance plan

Robust retirement program

Transit/commuter benefits

Job summary

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry is seeking a Program Support Liaison (Correctional Officer III) at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Safford. Primary duties include supervision, program coordination, and reentry support to advance reforms and public safety.

Responsibilities cover credentialing, data tracking, SCC coordination, and academy logistics, with emphasis on leadership, policy adherence, and cross‑unit collaboration within the Education, Programming &

Qualifications

• Knowledge of social or correctional casework and custody/parole practices.
• Interpersonal communication and crisis intervention skills.
• Understanding of security techniques and discipline programs in correctional settings.
• Familiarity with offender classification systems and records management.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and agency laws governing offenders.

Responsibilities

• Weekly 1-on-1 supervision with COIII PSS Supervisors and monitor on-site staff.
• Maintain chain of command reporting of operational data and program updates.
• Coordinate credentialing and track program staff in complex programs.
• Track PSS data and coordinate with Regional Program Managers for trainings.
• Coordinate SCC and reentry activities, release documentation, and eligibility lists.
• Notify staff of academies and ensure availability of required materials.

Skills

Correctional casework

Classification & parole

Crisis intervention

Interpersonal communication

Security discipline systems

Recreation activities

Knowledge of laws & regulations

Job description

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, REHABILITATION & REENTRY

Our mission is to enhance public safety across Arizona through modern, effective correctional practices and meaningful engagements. The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR) is committed to creating a safe, secure, and humane correctional system. With public safety top of mind, ADCRR and its more than 8,000 officers and professional staff are driven by a heart for public service and a commitment to deliver perfect effort each day. ADCRR is redefining itself as an agency whose daily work centers on transparency, accountability, and fairness.

PROGRAM SUPPORT LIAISON

(CORRECTIONAL OFFICER III)

Job Location:

Address:

EDUCATION, PROGRAMMING & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Arizona State Prison Complex (ASPC) - Safford

896 Cook Road

Safford, AZ 85546

United States

https://corrections.az.gov

Posting Details:

Salary: $60,540.00

Grade: DC18

Closing Date: 11/10/2026

Job Summary:

*** OPEN TO CURRENT ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, REHABILITATION & REENTRY EMPLOYEES ONLY ***

Special Selection Factors – The following is required:

• Must currently be a Correctional Officer III with the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry, with minimum two (2) years experience
• Requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver's license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.)

Additional Requirements:

• Performance evaluation – Must receive a rating of meets expectations or better
• Suspension – Suspension during one year prior to announcement, ineligible for one promotional cycle
• Voluntary demotions – Employees accepting a voluntary demotion shall be required to remain in the classification/position requested for a period of at least two years before being considered for appointment to any other position. Voluntary demotion applicants must have an approved voluntary demotion memo on file with CPR to be considered for a job offer. No job offers will be made without an approved voluntary demotion
• Involuntary demotions – Any employee who has been demoted one level shall be ineligible to apply for a promotional opportunity for two years from the date of the demotion. If demoted to more than one level, the employee shall be ineligible to apply for a promotional opportunity for three years from the date of the demotion. A demotion received after the promotional process has started and prior to promotion shall result in the permanent removal from that CPR. Once removed from a CPR for a demotion, the applicant shall not be eligible to compete for a Correctional Officer Series position until two or three years, depending on the number of levels demoted, after the date of the demotion. The first day served of the demotion shall be considered the effective date of the demotion.

NOTE: Current employees applying for this position must meet requirements of this posting.

Evaluation and testing process:

• Each promotion or different position with the same employer must be listed separately on the resume and must include adequate work history identifying experience, duties, qualifications, selective requirements, and/or preferences must be reflected on the resume in order to receive applicable credit
• Applicants who meet the KSAs and selective preferences will be invited to the next step of the process. Applicants who achieve or exceed a passing score on the oral board interview will have their names placed on the Central Promotional Register after other promotional points are included, if any
• Rank on the register will be calculated by adding passing scores from the written exam, oral board interview, and other promotional points

NOTE: Notification of eligibility to test will be e-mailed directly.

Educational stipend – Positions in this classification are eligible for an educational stipend: Associate’s Degree 2.5%; Bachelor's Degree: 5%; Master’s Degree or above: 7.5%. If you have completed one of these degrees, submit the Education Supplement‑Security form Education Supplement and documentation of your degree as noted on the form with your application. If eligible and appointed, the stipend amount will be effective the date of your appointment. Education requests submitted after the date of appointment are effective at the beginning of the pay period they are received in personnel. This stipend is subject to available funding and may be cancelled at any time.

NOTE: Current employees applying for this position must meet requirements of this posting.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Job Duties:

The Arizona Department of Corrections Rehabilitation and Reentry has embarked on a vision of REIMAGINING CORRECTIONS through four overarching and mission-centered goals:

• Build a meaningful Organizational Culture and Promote the Development of Team
• Create and Implement Optimal Population Management and Progression Strategies
• Deploy Quality Delivery of Services and Continuity of Care in Facilities and Communities
• Achieve Modernization and Sustainability of Practices and Resources

Primary Responsibilities:

• Weekly supervision & monitoring: Conduct weekly 1-on-1 meetings with Unit COIII PSS Supervisors and perform regular spot checks on on-site COIII supervisors and peer programming
• Chain of command reporting: Maintain clear communication and report operational data, program metrics, updates, and concerns up the chain of command to Regional Program Managers and Bureau Administration
• Program staff credentialing: Continuously review and update the Complex Programs HeatMap, schedule credentialing, track unit staff credentialing progress, and submit names of staff designated for programs and COIII academies
• PSS data & training management: Track Peer Support Specialist (PSS) data (including counts of trained and needed PSS staff) and coordinate directly with Regional Program Managers to plan and schedule PSS training sessions
• Second Chance Center (SCC) & reentry coordination: Distribute weekly SCC eligibility lists to units, track SCC declarations, manage release documentation processing (including AHCCCS applications, Social Security cards, and Interstate Compacts), and resolve outstanding discrepancies
• Academy & material logistics: Notify unit staff of upcoming academies and training events, ensure staff are equipped with all required materials, and collaborate with PSPD Program Coordinators for program materials and event support

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of social or correctional casework and facilitation. Principles and practices of classification, treatment, custody and parole. Principles and practices of interpersonal communication, dynamics of human behavior, crisis intervention and Offender Classification System. Practices and methods of compiling and maintaining case histories, summaries and records. Practices and methods of security techniques and discipline systems and programs of an institution. Practices and methods of a variety of recreation/activities such as indoor and outdoor sports, games, arts and crafts, group social activities, and health and physical education. Federal, State and agency laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing offenders.

Skill in/ability to:

Methods and techniques of correctional casework, interpersonal relationships, rehabilitation and crisis intervention. Applying and coordinating procedures of classification within treatment, custodial and parole leave. Methods and techniques of security and discipline programs of an institution. Methods and practices of developing and implementing recreation/activities. Verbal and written communications as required by the work activities in a correctional institution. Applying the Federal, State and agency laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing offenders. Providing guidance, direction and crisis intervention in a timely and productive manner; functioning as liaison in providing interactive services and assisting offenders with personal, educational and career goals; preparing and maintaining files and records in the prescribed manner; serving as a program coordinator of offenders; incentive and rehabilitation programs.

Selective Preference(s):

• Must currently be a Correctional Officer III with the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry, with minimum two (2) years experience

Pre-Employment Requirements:

In an effort to maintain a safe environment, all employees are required to take a Tuberculosis (TB) test during their New Employee Orientation and every year thereafter.

Some positions require a medical/physical evaluation, psychological examination, pre‑employment drug screening, and a background investigation prior to appointment. A current Arizona driver’s license appropriate to the assignment is required at the time of appointment.

As a condition of continued employment, employees in a safety‑sensitive position may be subject to random drug testing, as required by Department Policy.

Selected candidates must successfully complete the seven‑week Correctional Officer Training Academy.

All newly hired State employees are subject to: driver’s license and related requirements as detailed, and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

• Vacation and sick days with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid parental leave – up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly‑placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Robust and affordable insurance plan to include medical, dental, life, short‑term and long‑term disability options
• Exceptional retirement program
• Optional employee benefits such as deferred compensation plans, credit union membership, and a wellness program
• An incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page.

Retirement:

• Positions in this classification participate in the Corrections Officer Retirement Plan (CORP).

Contact Us:

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling [phone]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.