Corrections Professional, Full-Time

Wisconsin Counties; Kenosha (WI); On-site; USD 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Time Off

Holiday and shift pay differential

Retirement Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

VA Apprenticeship benefits (GI Bill)

Job summary

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office is seeking Corrections Professionals to supervise inmates, maintain order, and enforce rules in Kenosha County Detention Facilities. You’ll respond to emergencies, manage inmate movement, and uphold safety with professionalism and resiliency.

The role is a 12‑hour shift operation with rotating schedules; the position requires a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver’s license, and the ability to pass a background check. Benefits accompany employment.

Qualifications

• Skill in written, verbal, and electronic communication.
• Ability to read and comprehend written materials and to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to gain respect and control inmates using effective supervision.

Responsibilities

• Maintains custody, security, supervision, discipline and welfare of inmates.
• Maintains supervision, order during meals, recreation, showering, and at all times.
• Checks inmates in/out of jail for work release and court appearances.
• Explains and enforces facility rules and regulations.
• May be assigned to book/search prisoners, issue clothing, and fingerprint prisoners.
• Manages operation of a living unit or a specific post.
• Serves as role model for desired behavior.
• Issues supplies and dispenses prescribed medications.
• Prepares reports and keeps accurate, detailed records.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Electronic communication

Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office seeks Corrections Professional candidates with integrity, motivation, professionalism, a positive attitude, and resiliency.

As a Corrections Professional, you’ll think critically, work independently, and serve your community in meaningful ways. The role requires strong-minded, strong‑willed individuals willing to interact with diverse people from various backgrounds.

You will ensure the safety and security of inmates in Kenosha County Detention Facilities, maintain order, enforce rules, manage inmate movement and behavior, and respond to emergencies.

Be a part of the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, a leader in public safety!

Rate of Pay

• 2026 hiring rate: $27.54 per hour
• PM shift and holiday pay differentials available
• Lateral transfer consideration for experienced jail/detention officers

Work Schedule

The Kenosha County Jail is a 24 hours/day, 7 day/week operation.
Employees with full-time positions work 12-hour shifts on a rotating pattern of:
Week 1: Work Monday, Tuesday; Off Wednesday, Thursday; Work Friday, Saturday
Week 2: Work Sunday; Off Monday, Tuesday; Work Wednesday, Thursday; Off Friday, Saturday
Employees must work scheduled holidays, weekends and any of the existing shifts.
Employees must be able to work overtime when needed, with or without advance notice.
Existing shifts are 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM and 6:00 PM – 6:00 AM.

Position Summary and Job Duties

• Maintains custody, security, supervision, discipline and welfare of inmates
• Maintains supervision, order, and discipline during meals, recreation, showering, and at all other times
• Checks inmates in and out of jail for work release and court appearances
• Explains and enforces all the rules and regulations of the facility
• May be assigned to book and search prisoners, issue clothing, assign quarters, and photograph and fingerprint prisoners
• Manages the operation of a living unit or a specific post in the facility
• Serves as role model for desired behavior
• Holds inmates accountable for setting and meeting unit goals
• Can creatively determine formal and informal rewards to elicit desired behavior, to ensure inmate dorms and dayrooms are kept in a sanitary condition, and to see that personal hygiene of inmates is maintained
• Engages in a variety of supervisory techniques to achieve compliant behavior from inmates
• Stresses psychological controls and verbal skills as primary management skills
• Identifies, addresses, and solves problems of inmates
• Processes, searches, strips, and bodily examines inmates while maintaining inmate dignity
• Issues supplies and dispenses prescribed medications
• Supervises work details of inmates in areas within or outside of the facility
• Reports infractions of the rules and unusual occurrences to the Corrections Corporal
• Assists in the conveyance of inmates throughout the facility, supervises visitation and correctional programming areas
• Prepares reports and keeps accurate, detailed records
• Performs other duties as required or assigned

Job Requirements, Education, Training and Experience

• Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age at time of application
• Must possess high school diploma or GED equivalent
• Must possess a valid driver’s license without restrictions to operation from the state of residency
• Requires an acceptable driving record
• Requires a background free of felony convictions and domestic violence related convictions
• Must meet eligibility requirements for certification by the Law Enforcement Standards Board and certification must be obtained during the probationary period and maintained during employment

Success Factors

• Skill in written, verbal, and electronic communication
• Skill in basic computer usage, including Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, and Excel
• Ability to read and comprehend written materials and to communicate verbally and in writing
• Ability to gain the respect and control the behavior of inmates and ability to win the confidence and cooperation of inmates
• Ability to take prompt and decisive action in emergency situations
• Ability to physically restrain hostile and combative inmates
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude and emotional control
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with others
• Work respectfully in a diverse and inclusive environment

Health, dental and vision insurance effective first of month following 30 days of employment, with the ability to reduce premium contribution through participation in a wellness program

• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• Volunteer paid time off
• Holiday and shift pay differential
• Retirement Plan:Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System which includes county-paid life insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement after one year of service
• KESO is a certified VA Apprenticeship Employer for Veterans interested in using their GI Bill benefits

Physical Demands

• Ability to wear a 10-pound duty belt on waist
• Ability to lift 50 pounds from floor to waist
• Ability to carry up to 50 pounds for a distance of up to 25 feet
• Ability to frequently push/pull up to 25 pounds of force for a distance of up to 25 feet
• Ability to frequently bend, squat, move, reach and walk

Work Environment/Conditions

The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Corrections Professional will be frequently exposed to individuals who are rude or irate; have known violent backgrounds, severe behavioral health challenges, and/or communicable diseases; bodily fluids (blood, urine, saliva, etc.) and will be occasionally exposed to infectious waste, extreme cold (below 32 degrees) and loud noises (85+ decibels)

The Corrections Professional will frequently work in a clinical health care and detention center or correctional facility environment and will occasionally work in an office, outdoor and warehouse environment

The Pre-Trial facility conducts intakes and generally houses inmates in a linier style of housing. The Detention Center generally houses inmates in a dormitory style of housing. The staffing needs and selection profile for the Detention Center and the Pre-Trial facilities are different. As such, the staffing levels and applicants’ qualifications will be evaluated accordingly for each facility.

Selection Process

Written Test – Scored. Test date to be determined.
Candidates who pass the written test will proceed through a FULL BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION. Candidates qualified will be considered along with all other application and test materials, in the

• ORAL INTERVIEW – Qualifying. Candidates who pass the Oral Interview and are selected for conditional employment will participate in a:
• Facility tour and job shadow.
• Job trait assessment – Qualifying.
• Physical examination, including drug-screen and TB skin test – Qualifying.

If a candidate has worked for a confinement entity as a current or past employer (e.g. federal or state prison, county or local jail, lockup, juvenile, or community confinement facility), that employer must be listed on their resume and reference contact information must be provided at the reference check stage of the process.

To learn more about the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, please visit: https://www.kenoshacountywi.gov/548/Sheriffs-Office

Kenosha County is a Wisconsin Retirement System participating employer.Your participation is required, which includes an employee contribution.

The pay grade for this position is NE10 (Min. $27.54 – Max. $35.05 per hour).

We are located in Kenosha County, an expanding community along the shores of Lake Michigan and less than an hour away from Milwaukee and Chicago. To see why Kenosha County is a great place to live, work, and play, please visit: https://www.visitkenosha.com/ or https://lifebalancedkenosha.com/.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Kenosha County!