Corrections Officer (Florida State Certified ONLY)

Osceola County Government; Kissimmee (FL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Osceola County Government seeks a qualified Correctional Officer to supervise inmates at the Osceola Correctional Facility. This role requires current Florida Corrections certification and entails ensuring the safety and compliance of the facility operations.

Responsibilities include monitoring inmate behavior, conducting inspections, and transporting inmates as needed. Candidates must be able to perform physically demanding work and understand laws related to corrections.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED; ability to perform physically demanding corrections work.
• Current Florida State Corrections certification.
• At least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and monitor inmates in accordance with departmental policies.
• Perform rounds and inspections to ensure safety and security.
• Transport inmates to various locations as required.

Skills

Ability to understand and follow instructions

Knowledge of correctional operations

Skill in use of handguns

Ability to manage stress

Customer relations skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Current Florida State Corrections certification

Valid Florida driver’s license

Tools

Firearms

Communication equipment

Job description

General Description of Duties

To be considered for this position you must currently possess the correctional officers certification in the state of Florida. The position is subject to close at any time. This position is eligible for night shift differential pay.

Note to internal applicants: internal candidates in the same classification and/or paygrade as the position posted will not receive a pay adjustment if selected.

Under direction, the purpose of the position is to direct, supervise and monitor inmates housed in the Osceola Correctional Facility in accordance with all departmental policies, procedures and regulatory requirements applicable to the work. Employees in this classification perform at the journey professional level and are responsible for the custody, control and care of inmates within the detention facility and while transporting inmates to and from the facility. The objective is to support safe, efficient and effective facility operations.

Essential Job Functions

• Provides highly responsible care, custody and control of criminal offenders in a detention/correctional institution; observes, interacts and supervises the activities of the inmates on assigned post to enforce order and discipline; monitors inmate housing, job and program assignments. Will observe nudity and possible lewd acts.
• Performs all work in compliance with all laws, rules and regulatory standards governing the operations of the detention/correctional facilities and programs, and the confinement, safety, health and protection of criminal offenders.
• Performs scheduled and unscheduled rounds of assigned area; performs scheduled and unscheduled inspections of the assigned area to ensure security, safety and sanitation are maintained; searches inmates and cells for contraband articles; reports observations to superiors.
• Performs critical inmate classification, count and control while maintaining fire safety, key control, perimeter security.
• Bears assigned firearm and hand weapons; follows all prescribed procedures relevant to the assigned function for the purpose of safeguarding all corrections staff, property, and facilities within scope of responsibility; screens inmate visitors.
• Supervises, communicates and promotes positive behavior among inmates; resolves behavioral problems through counseling and problem‑solving skills.
• Employs force to maintain order among inmates as prescribed by departmental rules and regulations as necessary; escorts and secures inmates within the facility.
• Transports inmates to and from various locations as directed, e.g., correctional facilities, courtrooms, prisons, medical facilities, work programs.
• Attends and participates in all scheduled Defensive Tactics training, firearm qualifications and First Aid/CPR training for certification as required; attends meetings to keep up with trends in probation issues, legislative changes and safety.
• Maintains a variety of detailed legal records and reports; collects and prepares various information; prepares legal documentation as required, e.g., activity logs, incident reports.
• Performs duties as assigned or necessary which are related, or logically assigned to the position.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED; supplemented by a demonstrated ability to perform the physically demanding corrections work within a potentially psychologically stressful environment.
• Must possess and maintain current Florida State Corrections certification.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license. CDL license with passenger endorsement required before transporting inmates.
• Must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen.
• Must not have been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement, regardless of withholding of adjudication or suspended sentence.
• Must be able to work all shifts and overtime as required.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions; ability to clearly communicate information both verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of correctional facility operations; skill in the use and operation of handguns and other handheld weapons.
• Knowledge of adult inmate care, custody and control principles, practices, procedures and systems; knowledge of law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques and equipment.
• Knowledge of pertinent federal, state and local rules, regulations, ordinances and other regulatory standards applicable to the work.
• Skill in reading, analyzing and interpreting professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and legal documentation.
• Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of substance abuse.
• Capable of working under stressful conditions; ability to observe, report routine and non‑routine, emergency and non‑emergency activities; skill in safe First Aid methods, procedures and practices.
• Skill in the principles and techniques of customer relations; ability to deal diplomatically with irate, violent or frantic individuals; ability to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Ability to work independently in an office and correctional environment; ability to prioritize work, organize and make sound judgments in inmate supervision; skill in analyzing and developing effective solutions; ability to investigate complaints.
• Must be able to perform intermittent physically demanding work; must be able to sit, stand, walk or climb stairs for extended periods of time.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and communications with inmates, social service agencies, co‑workers, department management, security and classification staff, members of the judiciary and the general public.
• Ability to operate basic office and communications equipment, e.g., radio, computer terminals, printers, copy machines, telephone systems, facsimile machines.

Physical Demand Requirements

• Very heavy. 100‑pound maximum lifting; frequent (up to 2/3 of work time) lifting, carrying up to 50 pounds.
• If mostly sitting is involved will require push/pull on arm and leg controls.
• Exposing or exchanging ideas by spoken word or perceiving sound by ear.
• Good eyesight for production or safety of self and others.
• Walk, run, stoop, bend and climb stairs.
• Must be able to walk, sit, stand or climb stairs for extended periods of time.
• Capable of working under stressful conditions.