Corrections Officer Trainee - SCI Forest

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Vision coverage

Dental coverage

Wellness programs

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Corrections, invites applications for a Corrections Officer Trainee at SCI Forest. This position provides hands-on training and guided experience in custody, supervision, and support of inmates within a state facility.

RESPONSIBILITIES include inmate contact, security monitoring, rounds, reports, and responding to emergencies. You will participate in formalized instruction in sociology, psychology, court procedures, self-defense, and leadership.

Qualifications

• Must be able to pass background check and CJIS compliance.
• Must be able to perform essential job functions.
• Must complete medical examination, psych evaluation, and drug screening.

Responsibilities

• Interact with inmates and visitors.
• Monitor inmate movement to maintain security.
• Conduct rounds, head counts, and security checks; report anomalies.
• Prepare and file detailed reports; respond to emergencies.
• Work full-time with shifts, including weekends/holidays; wear employer-provided uniforms.

Job description

THE POSITION

Join the Department of Corrections as a Corrections Officer Trainee and begin a career that makes a real difference. This role offers hands-on training and steady support as you learn how to maintain safety and order within a state correctional facility. You will build strong skills, gain confidence, and help support the well-being of inmates and staff. If you have a strong dedication to public service and want to help keep the public safe, we encourage you to submit an application for the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Forest.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position provides training and guided experience in the custody, supervision, and support of inmates in a state correctional facility. The role involves direct interaction with inmates and structured learning in essential security and counseling practices.

As a Corrections Officer Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Inmate Contact: Interact with inmates and visitors in both direct and indirect situations
• Maintain Security: Monitor inmate movement and activities in cellblocks, housing units, work areas, dining spaces, and recreation areas to maintain security
• Observation: Make periodic and unannounced rounds, conduct head counts, complete security checks, and report unusual situations to a Corrections Officer
• Work Schedule: Full-time employment where you will work a 40-hour work week with shifts to be determined, work any shift and work in all areas of the institution as assigned, work overtime as required by operation necessities and emergencies, work on weekends and holidays which occur during your normal work schedule, and report to work under adverse weather conditions
• Training Participation: Participate in formalized instruction in the areas of sociology, psychology, court procedures, self-defense, leadership, custodial responsibilities, and the facility’s organizational structure
• Provide Guidance: Offer advice and guidance to inmates adjusting and participating in correctional processes and agency rules/regulations
• Prepare Reports: Write and complete detailed reports
• Respond to Emergencies: Act quickly and safely during emergency situations
• Uniforms: Wear employer-provided uniforms
• Union Membership: Follow promotion provisions of a collective bargaining agreement or memorandum
• Salary: Starting hourly rate is $23.49; Shift differential is up to $1.25 per hour
• Retirement: Eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55
• Benefits Package: Comprehensive benefits package, including health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs
• Benefits Information

INTERVIEW PROCESS

Applicants will be invited to interviews on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Please check your inbox and spam mail regularly as additional information regarding the interview process will be sent to the email address you utilized when applying for this vacancy. You must follow all instructions provided in notices to be considered for a vacancy.

Qualified Requirements

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA is required.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.
• Candidates must successfully complete a medical examination, psychological evaluation, and urinalysis screening for drugs.

How to Apply

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. 7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

TRS and Accommodations

• Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).

Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.

Your score is valid for this specific posting only.

You must provide complete and accurate information or:

• your score may be lower than deserved.
• you may be disqualified.

You may only apply/test once for this posting.

Your results will be provided via email.