Corrections Officer I

Douglas-County,-Ne; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Douglas County is seeking a Corrections Officer to supervise inmates, conduct security and health inspections, and enforce rules within the housing units. The role requires vigilance, integrity, and the ability to interact professionally with inmates and staff.

Applicants must meet the minimum education and age requirements, complete required training (Defensive Tactics and CPR), and comply with drug testing and background checks.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Post-secondary education in Criminal Justice or related field preferred.
• Work experience in a correctional facility or security preferred.
• Must be at least 19 years old.
• Compliance with random drug testing required.
• Valid driver’s license on hire and maintained.

Responsibilities

• Conduct routine security and health inspections; detect contraband and hazards.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with clients, officials, and the public.
• Comply with Civil Service Rules and department policies to ensure a safe work environment.
• Serve as the sole authority in the unit, supervising inmates and housing area activities.
• Provide information and respond to legitimate requests and concerns; interact professionally with inmates.
• Obtain knowledge of inmates and monitor behavior; address problems early.
• Provide positive reinforcement and hold inmates accountable with appropriate techniques.
• Encourage in-unit activities participation and collaboration with leadership.
• Prepare reports and written materials; maintain regular attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Defensive Tactics

CPR Certification

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Post-secondary education in Criminal Justice or related field preferred

Job description

Incumbent works under the direction of a Sergeant or designee, setting and conveying expectations for the incarcerated population as governed by the operating philosophy of Strategic Inmate Management (SIM), managing and regulating offender behavior assessing risk, ensuring the provision of basic needs, and influencing productive activity and engagement.

• Conduct routine security and health inspections, detecting potential contraband and/or hazards, reporting damage/dangers, and staying vigilant of potential security breaches.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with clients, supervisors, County employees, elected officials, attorneys, law enforcement, judges, other agencies, and the public.
• Comply with Civil Service Rules, collective bargaining agreements, County policies, department policies and laws to create a cooperative, safe, respectful and quality work environment.
• Serve as the sole authority in the unit, supervising inmates, unit activities and deciding matters concerning inmates and housing area activities.
• Establish and maintain a positive supervisory relationship with the incarcerated population, directing, redirecting and coaching.
• Provide information and respond to legitimate requests and concerns, utilizing available resources.
• Interact professionally with inmates, initiating interactions, setting expectations and listening.
• Obtain and maintain knowledge of inmates (e.g. acknowledging by name, recognizing behavior changes, understanding restrictions).
• Detect and address problems early (e.g. monitor behavior, recognize potential problems or conflicts) and alert supervisors of potential issues.
• Provide positive reinforcement, serving as a role‑model for appropriate social behavior.
• Hold inmates accountable for complying with rules and expectations utilizing positive motivation techniques.
• Encourage in‑unit activities participation, understanding available programming opportunities.
• Collaborate with leadership and peers, providing support on inmate management issues and strategies.
• Prepare reports and written materials.
• Report to work with regular, consistent attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned and directed.

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Post‑secondary education in Criminal Justice or related field preferred.
• Work experience in a correctional facility, criminal justice agency and/or providing security preferred.
• Must be at least 19 years of age.
• Compliance with random drug testing required.
• Valid driver’s license upon hire and maintained throughout employment required.
• Complete training in Defensive Tactics (DT) courses within (6) six months of hire and maintained throughout employment required.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification within six (6) months of hire and maintained throughout employment required.
• Completion of a pre‑employment criminal record check, physical assessment, medical review and conditional offer drug screen required.

• Standing/Walking/Bending: Constant, up to 80% of shift or as needed
• Climbing: Frequent, stair climbing may be involved
• Sitting: Occasional, up to 20% of shift
• Running: Occasional, typically one-to-two minute duration
• Kneeling/Stooping/Crouching: Occasional
• Balance: Frequent climbing stairs or when restraining a combative inmate
• Ability to Quickly Change Position: Occasional, from kneeling to standing
• Lifting: Frequent up to 50 pounds and occasional up to 50 pounds
• Maximal Voluntary Grip: 65 pounds or better
• Pushing/Pulling: Frequently up to 50 pounds

• Required sensory abilities include vision, hearing, smell and touch. Visual abilities, correctable to normal ranges, include close, distance and color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Communication abilities includes the ability to talk and hear within normal ranges. Olfactory abilities include the ability to smell odor and fumes. Incumbent must possess the hand‑eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate computers and other equipment (e.g. control panels, radios, handcuffs, leg irons, hook knife, chemical agent, doors, alarms).