Correctional Officer

Our Correctional Officers take great pride in wearing the uniform and badge of the Washington County Sheriff's Office.As a Correctional Officer at the Washington County Jail (WCJ), your daily routine will never be boring. Our Correctional Officers are focused on maintaining peace, security, and safety within the WCJ. They train extensively in mental‑health crisis intervention and remain calm, confident, and security‑minded in the most adverse and stressful situations. They enforce facility rules, maintain order, directly supervise inmates, search for contraband and weapons, complete facility inspections, and write reports on inmate conduct and behaviors.2026 salary will be from $32.26 per hour with shift differentials for afternoon and night shifts.BenefitsGenerous benefit programOn‑site access to Mental Health Providers at no costPeer counselingOn‑site fitness centerExperience‑based consideration for experienced Correctional Officers is available.Desirable ExperiencePossess a bachelor's degree (or higher) in any field of studyPossess an associate's degree in corrections, law enforcement, psychology, sociology, or criminologySelection TechniqueYour training and experience will be rated based on the required application material submitted, and the top‑scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.Candidates must achieve a passing score in each of the following: testing/interview process, psychological examination, background investigation, physical examination, and drug test at the time an appointment is offered. Individuals operating a motor vehicle for county business must possess a valid driver's license.Hours / DaysCorrectional Officers work a five‑day on / three‑day off rotation schedule. Shifts are generally 9 hours long.Days: 6:00 am – 3:00 pm (0600‑1500)Afternoons: 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm (1400‑2300)Nights: 10:00 pm – 7:00 am (2200‑0700)Shift exchanges are also allowed with other staff if you need a special event off.Anticipated hiring rate: $32.26 – $38.55 per hour plus shift differential for afternoon and overnight shifts. Experience‑based considerations (lateral wage points) are available; they will be based on experience, education, and specialty assignments.Click here for more information about pay.E‑Verify ParticipationWashington County participates in the federal E‑Verify program. The county will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's Form I‑9 to confirm work authorization. If the government cannot confirm you are authorized to work, Washington County must give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you.Minimum QualificationsRequires graduation from high school, or equivalent, and two years' related work experience in corrections, law enforcement, security, military, or human services; or two years of post‑secondary education in a related field; or an equivalent combination of related education and work experience totalling two years.Core Competencies, Job‑Specific Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesPromote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.Demonstrate knowledge of laws, rules, and best practices relating to working with inmate contact.Communicate with authority without provoking retaliatory behavior.Deescalate aggressive or negative behavior.Daily ResponsibilitiesProcess people received at Intake/Master Control—including fingerprinting, mug shots, searching, storing property, and obtaining booking information; qualify charges and ensure inmates are released after proper authorization.Supervise, control, and escort inmates, visitors, staff and vendors, ensuring all movement is authorized.Determine security risk of prisoners going to court, escort prisoners to and from court, controlling their conduct; assist court security for emergencies if requested.Deescalate disturbances and altercations in the jail.Record appropriate court data accurately and concisely regarding the status of persons in custody, sentencing orders, and other information on persons being sentenced.Act as liaison between programs, probation officers, nurses, building services, crew leaders and the jail; may be called to testify in court.Ensure the safety and security of visitors, staff, and contractors.Perform well‑being checks of housing units and work areas; initiate counts of inmates at regular and irregular intervals; maintain control and discipline including use of physical restraint and restraining devices and professional communication techniques.Supervise inmates in housing units; instruct in housekeeping and sanitation; enforce rules, observe behaviors, document inmate behavior; maintain and update records (logs, incidents, profile information, forms).Maintain proper security of inmates being transported; ensure all transportation orders are completed accurately and signed by appropriate authority; institute proper restraints as appropriate for inmate's custody classification; check transportation vehicles before and after transport.Answer questions of the public, law enforcement officials, other departments, and inmates in accordance with the Data Practices Act and county policy.Respond to emergency situations in the jail, such as medical, weather, fire emergencies and inmate disturbances; act in accordance with policy and procedure; notify proper authorities; administer basic first aid as necessary.Work auxiliary posts in the jail: laundry, juvenile and office support, trustee supervisor.Operate all jail equipment properly; inventory all security items and equipment during a shift.Follow the lawful directives of supervisors.Operate numerous technology systems such as ALERTS, Lotus Notes, Citrix, CCTV, security systems, water management system, fingerprint machine, ID system, and internet.Dispense medication under the supervision of the Correctional Health Professional and complete and process inmate referrals to mental health professionals.Distribute meals, laundry, canteen hygiene items, and cleaning supplies.Enter and verify data into a computer system according to established procedures; maintain computer or manual logs; prepare new files.May volunteer to participate in work teams such as ERT, FTO, SRT, uniform, safety, recognition, LMC and instructor.Perform other related duties as assigned.Work EnvironmentThe job is light to medium physically, requiring frequent standing, walking, climbing, and intermittent lifting up to 50 pounds, with heavier, pushing, pulling, or restraining required occasionally. Officers must respond rapidly to code calls and inmate disturbances. They need to distinguish between colors: blue, khaki, red, green, orange, yellow, white, and pink to maintain inmate security. Equipment used includes 2‑way radios, computers, telephones, DMT, fingerprinting equipment, pneumatic tubes, restraints, irritants, and taser.The work is performed in a secure jail and involves supervising inmates incarcerated for criminal activities ranging from misdemeanor to felony offenses. This position frequently encounters verbal or physical posturing or intimidating behavior with an ongoing threat of turning physical, which may require physical restraint of inmates. Exposure may include disagreeable odors, body fluids, hazardous chemicals, communicable diseases, mentally unstable individuals, and individuals under the influence of controlled substances. Since the job is a 24/7/365 position, occasional shifts may be altered to provide continuity of adequate staffing.Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above, but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.This job description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty being performed by people assigned to this classification. The list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. The county retains the discretion to add or change the contents of this job description at any time.#J-18808-Ljbffr

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