Corrections Officer

Job Overview
OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF JOB:

This is institutional security work that involves maintaining security, discipline, preventing escapes, protecting inmates and their property, preventing damage or loss of County property and enforcing all the rules and regulations of the Jail in a firm, fair, and impartial manner to ensure the care, custody and control of inmates in the County Jail.

Corrections involve unique and demanding conditions. Employee responsibilities include the potential danger of physical harm. MANDATORY You should be aware of these conditions and must accept them as a condition of employment.

The Fayette County Jail will not employ any individual with any prior criminal conviction graded as a felony (F1, F2, F3, F) or misdemeanor of the first degree (M1), or (M2 of violence), or a critical conviction that is punishable in excess of one (1) year. Additionally, The Fayette County Jail will not employ any individual who has been convicted of perjury, false impersonation, or false identification, or other similar offenses which involve elements of deceitfulness, untruthfulness, or falsification bearing on the individual’s credibility or propensity to testify falsely. Further the Fayette County Jail will not employ an any individual with a criminal conviction that the Jail Board deems inappropriate for employment as a Correctional Officer in the Fayette County Jail facility. Individuals who have an active Protection From Abuse Order lodged against them are ineligible for employment. Individuals who are statutorily precluded from possession of a firearm are ineligible for employment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB:

1. Conducts searches of the incoming inmates and prepares them for commitment, including completing strip search, securing and inventorying inmates' personal property, photographing inmates for file creation, and issuing Jail property.

2. Processes individuals released from the Jail, completing procedures including but not limited to returning personal property and retrieving Jail Property.

3. Patrols Housing Units and other areas of the jail to ensure there are no fire hazards, suspicious occurrences, and that inmate living areas are suitable. Observes inmates, their activities, and any unusual behaviors.

4. Document and maintain a daily log of jail activities and inmate headcounts. Prepares written reports of inmate misconduct, unsafe conditions, breaches or suspected breaches of security, injured inmates, extraordinary occurrences, and other matters as directed by your supervisor.

5. Performs searches of cells, housing units, exercise yard, incoming mail searches, and all areas of the Jail in general, as well as frisks and/or strip searches inmates, as directed, confiscating contraband.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB (Cont’d):

6. Performs a variety of duties, including but not limited to receiving and forwarding request slips, arranging for court clothing, filling and distributing commissary wares, distributing mail, distributing housing supplies and cleaning materials, assisting with laundry service, and movement of inmates. Supervises medication distribution by medical staff.

7. Operates unit control. Ensures all doors and windows are locked and the Jail is secure.

8. Assists in the intervention of a crisis. Arranges for the emergency medical needs of inmates, performing First Aid and/or CPR or other emergency care if warranted, until medical arrives.

9. Responds to calls for assistance from Jail personnel and renders such assistance as required by the nature of the incident, including but not limited to defusing altercations, quieting disorder, extraction of inmates from cell or housing units, and movement of inmates to other areas of the Jail.

10. Establishes and maintains constant vigil, control, and authority over the area of responsibility in a manner that gains the general respect of inmates, prevents escape of inmates, inmate disorder, and other disallowed behavior.

11. Controls and/or restrains inmates as required for the safety and security of inmates, Jail personnel, visitors, and property.

12. Directs and supervises the activities of inmates, including but not limited to the work of trustees, yard exercise, visits, serving of meals, attendance at group meetings, and socializing between individuals or groups of inmates on housing units and in cells.

13. Enforces the rules and regulations of the Jail concerning inmate conduct and the conduct of individuals visiting the Jail.

14. Performs inmate escort security duty within the Jail for administrative, medical and other various purposes.

15. Must maintain prescribed level of physical fitness, grooming, dress, and appearance.

16. May be required to work swing shifts, including weekends, holidays, overtime and other hours as determined by the Warden.

17. Must be able to report for work under any adverse weather conditions.

18. Must be willing to work “locked inside” the Correctional Facility, unarmed and in direct contact with inmates.

OTHER JOB DUTIES:

1. Assists in transporting and monitoring of inmates outside of the Jail, to the hospital, to other Jails or various other locations as necessary.

2. Performs other job-related functions as required.

3. Cleaning of Jail

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Receives instruction and supervision from Warden, Deputy Warden, Captains, Lieutenants, and Sergeants as necessary for daily operations of the Jail.

SUPERVISION GIVEN:

By Warden, Deputy Warden, Captains, Lieutenants, and Sergeants as needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Works indoors with above-average exposure to noise, stress, and disruptions.

2. Works indoors in an adequate workspace with fluctuations in lighting, temperatures, and ventilation.

3. Normal indoor exposure to dust/dirt.

4. Subject to working shifts or on-call as schedule warrants.

5. Potential exposure to blood-borne pathogens or communicable diseases.

6. Works in conditions of potential outbursts of disruptive behaviors of inmates.

7. Work may involve exposure to unpredictable conditions and occasionally requires utilizing physical effort in restraining and subduing individuals in custody.

8. Some exposure to outdoor weather during transport or perimeter checks.

9. Subject to involuntary Overtime.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL CONDITIONS:

1. Must possess the ability to record, convey, and present information, explain procedures, and follow instructions.

2. Must be able to stand for long periods throughout the workday with intermittent periods of sitting, walking, and talking; occasional twisting, bending, reaching, pushing, and pulling to carry out job duties.

3. Dexterity requirements: Range of motion from simple to coordinated movements of fingers/hands, feet/legs, and torso as necessary to carry out job duties.

4. Light work with occasional lifting/carrying of objects with a maximum weight of fifty pounds.

5. Must demonstrate emotional stability.

6. Must be able to physically and mentally react quickly in the event of a disturbance or physical outbreak.

7. Must have average strength and physical endurance to physically subdue inmates as needed.

8. Absolute truthfulness is extremely important during the entire selection process. Integrity and truthfulness throughout the employment process. An incomplete application could result in disqualification for the position being applied for.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To do this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS (Cont’d):

A.

High School diploma or any equivalent combination of acceptable training and experience, plus some training in Security, Corrections, Criminal Justice, or related

field. Possession of a certificate of training from the Bureau of Corrections at Camp
Hill or other designated areas

OR

the ability to obtain such a certificate following recruitment and initial training after employment. Requires 4 weeks of consecutive training to successfully acquire a Certificate of Training from the PA Department of Corrections Basic Training Academy. Certification to carry a firearm is preferred. First Aid and/or CPR certified or the ability to become certified upon hire.

B.

None required. 1 year of work experience in corrections, law enforcement, or security
is preferred.

C.

Candidate will be required to pass a background check.

D.

Candidate will be required to pass a drug screen test.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

1. Must be able to speak, read, write, and understand the English language and to follow oral and written instructions to carry out essential job duties.

2. Must possess the ability to maintain confidentiality regarding inmate information and records.

3. Must possess personal integrity and honesty.

4. Must possess the ability to work effectively with inmates and Jail staff.

5. Must possess a high degree of alertness and ability to detect problems or potential problems.

6. Must possess the ability to understand the practices, policies, and procedures of the Jail operation.

7. Must possess the ability to react quickly and calmly in an emergency.

8. Must possess the ability to enforce rules and regulations with firmness.

9. Must possess the ability to maintain certification/licensure to carry a weapon.

10. Must possess some knowledge and understanding of individual and group behavior and attitude of individuals under restraint.

11. General knowledge and understanding of the Criminal Justice System.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED (Cont’d):

12. General knowledge and understanding of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, County Jail, and local holding facilities.

13. Knowledge of the purpose and methods used in maintaining order and discipline required in a correctional institution.

14. Some knowledge and understanding of individual and group behavior and attitudes of individuals under restraint.

15. Ability to establish self as a figure of authority and gain the respect of others.

16. Ability to direct and supervise the work and activities of inmates.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Employer will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the Employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $20.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Military leave
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Uniform allowance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20