Corrections Officer

Sherburne County; Elk River (MN); On-site; USD 33,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Sherburne County in Minnesota is seeking dedicated Corrections Officers to supervise inmates, enforce rules, and maintain safety within the jail.

Candidates must meet minimum qualifications, including a high school diploma and appropriate experience; multiple shift options and a rigorous selection process are described.

This role involves responding to emergencies, conducting security checks, administering medications, and coordinating inmate admissions.

Qualifications

• High school diploma (or equivalent) and two years of full-time work experience in any occupation.
• Must have excellent verbal communication skills, ability to hear normal range of radio and speech, and ability to visually observe persons and conditions.
• CO II requires either one year as CO I; OR completion of two years of college or vocational/technical coursework in corrections, law enforcement, sociology, psychology or related field; OR four years of experience in related areas.

Responsibilities

• Oversee inmates during job assignments, meals, recreation, and visitation. Report unusual inmate activity or behavior.
• Conduct security checks of buildings and grounds to ensure inmates are securely confined.
• Conduct searches of inmates, living quarters and work areas for contraband and weapons.
• Converse with inmates to explain rules, regulations, and programs available at the jail.
• Enforce disciplinary procedures and report rule violations; apply appropriate sanctions.
• Intervene in emergencies and provide life saving measures or first aid; notify authorities as needed.
• Administer medication and carry out treatment according to physician’s orders.
• Complete inmate admissions and discharge procedures.
• Admit and orientate new inmates; issue clothing and direct them to living areas.
• Position may staff the master control area to monitor inmate behavior and control movement.
• Develop and maintain respectful working relationships.
• Regular attendance according to the department’s schedule.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Crisis decision making

Inmate supervision

Observation skills

Physical restraint

Report writing

Conflict de-escalation

Education

High school diploma

Two years full-time work experience

One year COI experience

Two years college/related field

Four years experience in corrections/security

Job description

To maintain security and ensure the safety of inmates and staff within the Sherburne County Jail.

The following duties are normal for this position. These duties are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required or assigned.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties and responsibilities.

• Oversee inmates during job assignments, meals, recreation, and visitation. Must report any unusual inmate activity or behavior.
• Conduct security checks of buildings and grounds to ensure that inmates are securely confined.
• Conduct searches of inmates, living quarters and work areas for contraband and weapons.
• Converse regularly with inmates to promote an atmosphere of open staff/inmate communication. Provide information to inmates on rules, regulations, and various programs available at the jail.
• Enforce the prescribed disciplinary practice of the institution, report and react to rule violations and apply appropriate sanctions.
• Intervene in emergency situations such as fights, suicide attempts, medical emergencies, or fires by restraining inmates, applying life saving measures and/or first aid, performing safety measures, enforcing rules, responding to calls for assistance or by notifying proper authorities.
• Administer medication and carry out treatment of medical issues according to physician’s orders.
• Complete all necessary inmate admissions and discharge procedures.
• Admit and orientate new inmates; issue clothing, secure inmate property, inform inmates of the rules and direct them to living areas and job assignments.
• Position may staff the master control area to monitor and report inmate behavior and to control the flow of movement throughout the facility.
• Develop and maintain respectful and cooperative working relationships.
• Regular and reliable attendance according to the department’s work schedule.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Knowledge of the operation, philosophy, goals, and procedures of the Sherburne County Jail.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to make decisions in crisis, emergency, or dangerous situations.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to control and supervise the work, recreation and conduct of inmates.
• Ability to see, hear and remember facts and circumstances to write an accurate report.
• Ability to physically respond in an appropriate manner to violent and aggressive inmate behavior.
• Ability to diffuse potentially violent situations.

An individual must meet the minimum qualifications as stated below to qualify for this position.

Both the Corrections Officer I and Corrections Officer II positions require the following:

• Valid MN driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.
• Must have excellent verbal communication skills, ability to hear normal range of radio and speech, and ability to visually observe persons and conditions. Must have ability to work independently, maintain a calm and professional manner at all times, and have the ability to physically restrain inmates if necessary.

An individual must meet the minimum qualifications as stated below to qualify for either the Corrections Officer I or Corrections Officer II position:

CORRECTIONS OFFICER I:

• High school diploma (or equivalent) and two years of full-time work experience in any occupation
• Pay starts at $33.94 / hour

CORRECTIONS OFFICER II:

• One year experience as a Correctional Officer I; OR
• Completion of two years of college or vocational technical course work in corrections, law enforcement, sociology, psychology or related social science field; OR
• Four years experience in one of the following areas (or an equivalent combination of education and experience):
  • Corrections, law enforcement or security
  • Active military duty with an honorable discharge
  • Social case work in a welfare agency or counseling in other types of organizations
  • Classroom teaching or instructing
  • Responsible rehabilitation work, e.g., in an alcoholic rehabilitation program
  • Supervised planned recreational activities or active participation in community action programs
  • Management or supervisory work in a business or other organization that included work flow and/or direct supervision of others
  • Persuasive sales work or commissioned sales work, other than taking and filing orders as in over-the-counter sales
• Pay starts at $36.31 / hour

Note: Candidate will be hired as a Corrections Officer I or Corrections Officer II based off of interview, hiring process, and prior work experience. CO I can be promoted to a CO II after one year of service.

Note: If you are employed as a Correctional Officer with another agency, we may be able to offer a lateral move into a similar level of pay with necessary approval; this is done on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed for any candidate.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Must be able to stand and walk for long periods of time. Must be able to perform work typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling. May involve lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling heavy objects, materials, and people (100 pounds).
• Work is performed in a correctional facility supervising inmates incarcerated for committing criminal activities ranging from minor to major offenses (up to and inclusive of maximum-security inmates). This position encounters physically threatening situations requiring grappling with and/or subduing inmates.
• Environmental conditions include exposure to disagreeable odors and unpleasant items (body odor, dirty clothing, human feces), hazardous chemicals, communicable diseases (T.B., hepatitis, AIDS), mentally unstable individuals and individuals under the influence of controlled substances.
• Position requires the ability to work shifts associated with the 24 hour a day/7 day a week demand of the Sherburne County Jail. Overtime may be required.

Work Eligibility:

Must be eligible to work in the United States. Any offer of employment will be contingent on successful completion of a physical agility test, pre-employment physical examination, psychological examination, and background investigation.

CORRECTION OFFICER SELECTION PROCESS

• Phone Interview
• Criminal Background Check
• Oral interview
• Background check
• Pre-employment physical and drug test
• Psychological evaluation

Interviews will be held approximately one day per week for the duration of this job posting. The entire hiring process typically averages between 60 and 70 days from beginning to end.

Upon job offer, candidates will be notified of shift and schedule they will be assigned to; candidates may not have a choice between options and will be required to work assignment.

Overview of shifts:

• 8-hour shifts:
  • 6am - 230pm or 2pm - 1030pm
  • 6 days working, 3 days off rotation
• 12-hour shifts:
  • 630am - 630pm or 630pm - 630am
  • 2 days working, 2 days off, 3 days working, 3 days off rotation
  • 5 days working, 2 days off, 2 days working, 5 days off rotation