Corrections Officer

St. Louis County, Missouri; United States; On-site; USD 30,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid medical insurance

Paid time off (20 days first year)

11–12 paid holidays

Wellness Plan

Life insurance

Retirement plan (457)

Job summary

St. Louis County is seeking a Corrections Officer to protect the community by maintaining safety, security, and order within a correctional facility. You will leverage corrections experience to mentor staff, oversee inmate activities, and respond to incidents with disciplined leadership.

This role offers opportunities for advancement and requires strong communication, physical stamina, and the ability to work mandatory overtime across shifts.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Clear police record; misdemeanors may require approval.

Responsibilities

• Security Management: Monitor inmate activities and identify safety risks.
• Inmate Supervision: Lead daily routines including meals and recreation.
• Mentor junior officers and model professional supervision.
• Respond to emergencies with coordinated incident responses.
• Prepare reports and logs per facility requirements.
• Communicate professionally with inmates, staff and visitors.
• Follow safety protocols and lead drills and daily operations.

Skills

Leadership

Crisis intervention

Incident management

Staff mentoring

Communication

Observation and judgment

Written reports

Overtime readiness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Valid driver's license

Clear police record

Job description

Discover Your Future with Opportunity Central!

Job Description Summary: By projecting strong leadership, clear communication and the highest level of professionalism, Corrections Officers play a crucial role in protecting our community.

In this role, you will strengthen and showcase a wide range of skills while ensuring safety, security, and order within the correctional facility. Experienced professionals can leverage their background in correctional operations and inmate supervision to foster accountability, guide effective decision‑making, and serve as mentors who help shape the next generation of corrections staff. Your experience, commitment, and leadership can truly influence the culture and success of the organization.

Ready to make an impact? Your next career step starts here.

Job Description:

Why You Should Consider a Career as a Corrections Officer with St. Louis County:

Starting Salary: Pay is based on experience within the corrections field. Additionally, possession of relevant certifications, specialized accreditations, current instructor credentials, and other qualifying achievements is highly valued and can lead to increased compensation. Starting base pay for new officers is $22.03 hourly ($45.822.40 annually). The range for experienced officers is between $22.03-$33.05 hourly. In addition, there is a 10% differential paid for working evening or night shifts.

Comprehensive Benefits: St. Louis County offers its employees a variety benefits to meet the needs of its diverse workforce including paid medical insurance, 20 days of PTO (paid time off) the first year and increasing with seniority, and 11-12 paid holidays, 480 hours of paid parental leave, and a robust Wellness Plan. Other benefits include paid life insurance, credit union, 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, pre-tax premium pay plan, dependent care and medical expense reimbursement plans, and short- and long-term disability insurance.

Professional Growth: Expand your capabilities in leadership, crisis intervention, incident management, and facility operations through advanced training and career development pathways.

Job Stability: Reliable career path with opportunities for advancement within the field.

Community Contribution: By helping to maintain order and security, you contribute to the betterment of society and support efforts to rehabilitate individuals and reduce recidivism.

Varied Experience: Each day presents new challenges and situations, ensuring a dynamic and engaging work environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Security Management: Monitor and control inmate activities while applying advanced operational knowledge to identify safety risks.
• Inmate Supervision: Oversee and lead daily inmate routines, including meals, recreation, and work assignments.
• Model effective supervision techniques and mentor new officers on maintaining authority, structure, and professionalism.
• Incident Response: Respond promptly and effectively to emergencies or disturbances, using your experience to assess situations, lead coordinated responses.
• Documentation: Prepare accurate reports and logs related to inmate behavior, incidents, and daily operations. Offer support to junior staff on completing thorough documentation in accordance with facility requirements.
• Communication: Interact professionally with inmates, staff, and visitors, demonstrating effective communication strategies. Serve as a resource for officers learning how to manage difficult conversations or resolve conflicts constructively.
• Safety Protocols: Implement and model best-practice safety procedures to protect staff and inmates. Lead by example during drills, training, and daily operations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Valid driver's license
• Clear police record that is free of felony convictions. Misdemeanors have to be approved for hire by the Director of Justice Services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to leverage prior corrections experience to mentor and support less-experienced officers, model professionalism, and contribute to a culture of safety and accountability.
• Strong interpersonal and conflict-management skills with the ability to remain calm and decisive under stress.
• Proven capability to meet the physical demands of the position, including extensive standing, walking, stairclimbing, operating emergency equipment, bending, stooping, and continuously wearing an equipment belt.
• Advanced observational awareness and the ability to detect potential disturbances through attentive listening, experience-based assessment, and situational judgment.
• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to coach others on documentation accuracy and report preparation.
• Ability to work mandatory overtime and any assigned shift, including weekends and holidays.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, with a demonstrated history of contributing to team success, modeling best practices