Corrections Officer

King County; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Comprehensive medical/dental/vision

Paid vacation/sick leave

Pension plan

Paid holidays and personal leave

Job summary

King County DAJD is seeking a Corrections Officer to supervise jail operations, enforce rules, manage resident activities, and coordinate with courts to ensure lawful proceedings. The role requires calmness under pressure, clear communication, and a commitment to humane custody.

This position supports a 24/7 facility, offers comprehensive benefits, pension, tuition reimbursement, and paid leave. Training and career development are emphasized within a large regional agency.

Qualifications

• Must be a US citizen or legally authorized to work in the US.
• Twenty-one years of age by hire date.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Valid Washington Driver's License by hire.
• Ability to read, speak, and write English fluently.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all activities of jail residents, including recreation, meals, mail, and education.
• Enforce rules and guidelines to maintain safety and custody.
• Ensure safe, humane custody with access to legal and medical services.
• Coordinate with courts to ensure appearances as required.
• Write detailed reports on incidents and daily operations.
• Operate control rooms and CCTV to monitor jail facilities and alarms.

Skills

Custody rules

De-escalation

Emergency response

Verbal communication

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CCTV systems

Defensive tactics equipment

Job description

About the department:

The Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) is a professional and nationally recognized organization that supports safe, vibrant, and healthy communities in partnership with other criminal justice and human service agencies. DAJD operates the largest county jail system in the State of Washington.

Department’s Mission:

We provide in-custody and community-based services that are data informed, advance safety, lead system change, and promote equitable outcomes for the people we serve.

About the position:

Working in corrections is a challenging but rewarding career, where you can make a difference in the lives of others. As one of the largest corrections employers in the State of Washington, King County is able to offer job stability and security, and unique opportunities for career development, advanced training, and assignment to specialty units. King County DAJD correctional facilities operate 24-hours per day, 7-days per week. Typical shifts are 06:20 to 14:30 hours, 14:20 to 22:30 hours, and 22:20 to 06:30 hours, and may also include overtime when necessary. Alternative shifts, including the potential to be scheduled 12-hour shifts, may be offered or required on a limited basis. For more information, please refer to the Corrections Officer Job Class Description.

Total Compensation and Benefits Package:

King County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how much we value our employees. The following is what you can expect as a full-time benefited King County employee:

• Up to $5,250 in annual tuition reimbursement for degrees in approved fields of study.
• Comprehensive provision of uniforms and equipment, including an annual uniform maintenance stipend and allocation of training ammunition .
• Meals or meal vouchers provided while on duty.
• 12 days of annual vacation leave with progressive career increases up to a maximum of 30 vacation days per year.
• 12 days of sick leave with unlimited annual carryover.
• 12 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 personal holidays.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance:
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents.
• Retirement: King County employees participate in a generous pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and can voluntarily participate in additional 457k deferred compensation options.
• Correctional Officers may be eligible for the following additional pay premiums above the posted base salary: firearms qualified, bilingual premiums, field training officer pay, and longevity pay.
• Transportation program, free ORCA transit pass, and paid parking.
• Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, bereavement leave, volunteer service leave, and military service leave.
• Flexible Spending Account, wellness programs, Employee Giving Program.
• Employee Assistance Programs, training & career development programs.
• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

For additional information about employee benefits please visit: Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy, but benefits may change over time. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

Work locations:

Incumbents may be assigned to either of two work locations:

• King County Correctional Facility, 500 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104
• Maleng Regional Justice Center, 620 W. James Street, Kent, WA 98032

Schedule and facility assignments are subject to staffing needs of the department and collective bargaining unit bid processes, which are seniority based.

Union membership:

Positions in this classification are represented by the King County Corrections Guild (KCCG).

Veterans' Preference:

Incumbents requesting Veterans' preference must submit a copy of their DD214 Member 4 form, via email to [e-mail] to determine eligibility. Veterans' preference will be applied as applicable.

• Oversee all activities of jail residents, including recreation, distribution of meals, mail, commissary requests, educational classes, visitation time, professional visits, social workers, and other authorized activities.
• Enforce rules and guidelines while managing jail resident behavior, in accordance with jail policies and procedures.
• Ensure and maintain the safe, secure, humane custody of jail residents, adhering to constitutional obligations including access to legal counsel, medical and mental health services as required.
• Relay approved information concerning jail residents to relatives, attorneys, probation and police officers, and others.
• Use appropriate physical defensive interventions and restraint techniques to maintain custody and control, up to and including deadly force, in accordance with local, state, and federal law; achieve and maintain proficiency in application and use of defensive interventions and physical agility.
• Participate in required trainings in defensive tactics, electronic control devices, pepper spray, and other emergency and safety equipment.
• Ability to perform under high stress when confronted with emergent, critical, or dangerous situations; handle multiple activities simultaneously; exercise sound judgment under stressful circumstances in which working with speed and sustained attention are critical to the job.
• Summon medical attention for jail residents and render emergency first aid and CPR.
• Receive, book and release jail residents according to policies and procedures, assisting with entering personal data on required databases, logs, and files, as well as checking for outstanding warrants.
• Operate control room and/or central surveillance, monitor close circuit television (CCTV) cameras, control access and egress within jails, security and alarms systems, communication & radio traffic, and other electronic screening devices.
• Coordinate with courts to ensure jail residents appear as required.
• Write detailed reports concerning any recommendation, problem, observation or emergency situations or occurrences within the jail, according to DAJD policy and training, or when directed by supervisors.
• Provide excellent customer services, including professional and respectful behavior at all times.
• Ensure confidentiality is upheld to the highest ethical standard.
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Inspect facility jail residents, visitors, and packages delivered to the facility.
• Conduct searches related to safety and security to include, but not limited to vehicles, facilities, property and person for contraband, health hazards, safety, and security violations.

Minimum qualifications for entry level:

• You must be a citizen of the United States or a person who is legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
• Twenty-one years of age by the time of hire.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Valid Washington State Driver's License by the time of hire.
• Must have the ability to read, speak, and write in the English language fluently.

Most competitive:

Applicantswhopossesscorrectionsand/orcriminaljusticeexperience.

Lateral Experience:

Training requirements and starting salary range will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants currently working as a Corrections Officer:

are subject to the same application, testing, and screening process as other candidates. However, some additional benefits may be realized post-hire and include the following:

• Salary Consideration for Laterals: Salary may be evaluated for previous corrections experience on a case‑case basis, up to Step 5 of the Corrections Officer salary range;
• Internal Salary Consideration: Internal Incumbents may be considered for a higher step placement;
• Training Waiver Consideration: Incumbents may be considered for a full or partial Corrections Academy waiver, based on confirmation of attendance and successful completion of a comparable Corrections Academy. Training records of these incumbents will be reviewed to determine eligibility for a full or partial waiver.

Selection process:

• King County application for employment. Once the applications are screened, incumbents will be contacted by DAJD to proceed to the department's background investigation process.
• The DAJD background investigation process is a thorough and extensive process which includes but is not limited to completion of an extensive Background Investigation Questionnaire, Washington Department of Child Youth & Families Neglect Founded Findings Request, polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, fingerprinting, criminal background check, social media check, reference checks, final interview, and physical examination (pre-employment physical). The background investigation is an ongoing process and may lead to termination of employment if adverse information is obtained during employment.

Additional information regarding physical testing - Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center requirements (WSCJTC):

All Corrections Officers are required to pass the Physical Ability Test (PAT) in order to attend the Corrections Officer Academy. The physical qualification process will include the following components:

• Push-Ups: 15 minimum, 90 second time limit
• Sit-Ups: 12 minimum, 90 second time limit
• Squat Thrusts: 25 minimum, 3-minute time limit

You can review the PAT demonstration video at: http://vimeo.com/491713554. Please note, the Public Safety Testing written exam is not required for this position.

Post hire:

Incumbents must successfully pass a physical ability test (PAT) again. The post-hire PAT is administered by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) which is required for admission to the Corrections Officer Academy.

Failure to successfully pass the WSCJTC PAT will result in termination of employment.

Incumbents must complete a six-week orientation, a ten-week Corrections Officer Academy (COA length is subject to change per WSCJTC policy), a six-week field training program, and successfully complete a minimum one-year probationary period. All incumbents must be able to participate in rigorous physical training at the academy and must be able to work with adult jail residents in physical situations throughout their employment.

If you have failed the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention's background investigation process within the past two years, your application will not be considered at this time, unless otherwise notified.

Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

King County’s Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.