Correctional Sergeant

State of Indiana; Plainfield (IN); On-site; USD 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan options

Vision and dental plans

Wellness rewards program

Health savings account

Job summary

State of Indiana seeks a highly capable Correctional Sergeant to oversee operations at the Reception Diagnostic Center in Plainfield. You will manage offender movement, supervise staff, and enforce facility rules with firm, fair leadership while handling emergencies and security concerns.

The role requires coordinating with supervisory teams, ensuring safety, and supporting rehabilitation initiatives while maintaining compliance with policies. A strong leadership background is essential.

Qualifications

• Ability to supervise and coordinate staff.
• Experience in correctional or security settings preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Willingness to travel and work overtime as needed.
• Must possess valid driver’s license.
• Ability to follow complex policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Manage offender movement and ensure safe operations of meals and chow halls.
• Lead staff to maintain security and safety of offenders, buildings, and grounds.
• Escort offenders to/from locations for meals, medicine, work, and recreation.
• Review movements, activities, and rule violations and provide feedback.
• Assist supervisor with security-related operations and reporting.
• Oversee offenders in various work details including grounds cleaning.
• Identify offender treatment needs and support rehabilitation programs.
• Follow emergency preparedness and response procedures.
• Recruit, onboard, and train employees; ensure performance expectations.
• Set expectations, monitor progress, and provide coaching and development.
• Ensure daily attendance at assigned work sites is maintained.

Skills

Leadership

Security supervision

Clear communication

Decision making

Overtime availability

Job description

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Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About Reception Diagnostic Center:

The Reception Diagnostic Center is a maximum‑security intake facilitylocatedin Plainfield, Indiana, with a capacity of more than 600 incarcerated adult males. All adult males entering the Indiana Department of Correction are received, assessed, and classified at this facility. Assessments include physical and mental health evaluations, addiction services screening, and education and work‑readiness reviews. This information helpsdeterminethe mostappropriate long‑termfacility placement. Staff coordinate comprehensive evaluations to support safety and rehabilitation. The center plays a key role inestablishingindividualized plans for incarcerated individuals. To learn more about the Reception Diagnostic Center.

Role Overview:

As a Correctional Sergeant, you will be responsible for the management, supervision, and safety of the facility, incarcerated individuals, coworkers and the general public. In addition, you must remain alert to all potential breaches of security and threats. In this position you must apply the IDOC and facility rules, policies and procedures in a firm, fair and consistent manner to both incarcerated individuals and subordinate staff. You will make some decisions regarding disbursement of assignments and ensures that work performed by subordinate staff is performed satisfactorily, following all applicable policy and procedure. In a small facility, individual may, at times, be the highest-ranking custody staff on grounds. In the event of an emergency, effective leadership must be immediately exhibited.

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $47,320.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Manage safe offender movement and the efficient operation of the meal delivery and chow halls.
• Lead assigned staff in maintaining the security and safety of offenders, buildings, and grounds.
• Ensure offenders are properly escorted to and from various locations across the facility for food, medicine, work assignments, and recreation.
• Review and provide feedback on such matters as offender’s movements, activities, and rule violations.
• Assist supervisor in appropriate administration of security related operations.
• Manage offenders in various work details including general clean‑up of institutional grounds and buildings.
• Assist in identifying offender treatment needs and support programs for treatment and rehabilitation which may include encouraging offenders to accept professional assistance and treatment from staff as needed.
• Follow all policies and procedures related to facility’s emergency preparedness and response.
• Recruit, select, onboard, and train employees to ensure role responsibilities and expectations are clearly understood while providing opportunities to continue professional development.
• Set expectations, measure progress, provide ongoing feedback, and evaluate the performance of employees. Ensure work adheres to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures.
• Workday attendance at assigned worksite(s) is an essential function of this position.

The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

What You'll Need for Success:

Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• Be willing to travel with reasonable accommodation.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must test negative on all drug screenings.
• Working knowledge of the methods, procedures and practices utilized in a correctional environment.
• Ability to work mandatory/voluntary overtime.
• Ability to supervise and obtain results from offenders and subordinate staff.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, including giving clear directions to offenders, completion of offender/conduct reports etc.
• Strong critical thinking skills and the ability to apply as needed.
• Ability to delegate work, set clear direction, and manage workflow.
• Ability to effectively give feedback, provide guidance or corrective action, coach, and develop employee skillsets.

You must satisfy the following requirements to continue employment:

• Ability to successfully complete all mandatory training includingthe DOC Supervisory Training Program, First Aid, and CPR courses.

A degree is not required. However, a High School Diploma or High School Equivalent (HSE) and at least 6 months of experience in corrections, law enforcement, or military law enforcement applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered.

Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role provides supervision for incarcerated individuals and requires a high level of judgment and care.

This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b)account (similar to401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully‑funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parkingfor most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learningaccess

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [e-mail] .