2026 Correction Officer II

Full Job Description

2026 Correction Officer II

If you currently have a Civil Service Online Account DO NOT create a new account to apply for this exam.

Utilize the Government Jobs Help & Support to access your account. Online Employment Application Guide | Massachusetts Civil Service Applications

Candidates with multiple accounts may cause delays with properly recording your application and notifications from civil service such as notices to appear, or job opportunities. If you have questions, please email civilservice@mass.gov.

This examination is being administered by the Human Resources Division (HRD) to create an eligible list from which to fill Correction Officer II vacancies in the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC).

Written Examination Date: August 15, 2026

Application Period Begins: June 15, 2026

Application Deadline: July 7, 2026

Examination Fee: $150

Written Examination Locations: Various sites across the Commonwealth

Examination Information

Eligibility: To be eligible for this examination you must: (1) be an employee in the Department of Correction with permanent civil service status in the title of Correction Officer I; and (2) have been employed in the eligible title after certification from a civil service list, on a permanent or temporary civil service basis for twelve months preceding the examination date.

A combination of temporary and permanent service can be applied towards meeting this twelve month requirement.

Time spent pursuant to a temporary appointment in the title of Correction Officer II will not interrupt the service period in your permanent position.

Eligible List: Individuals placed on the resulting eligible list shall be eligible for certification from such list for such period as the administrator shall determine, but in any event not to exceed two years, unless otherwise outlined in MGL Chapter 31 § 25.

Examination Weights: The examination weights are 44% Technical Knowledge, 36% Situational Judgement Test, 20% Experience and Education.

Application: All applications and examination processing fees must be received by the application deadline.

You will receive two confirmation emails when you have completed the process: one email confirming your application has been received, and one email confirming your payment has been received.

Your application is not complete until you have received both confirmation emails. Candidates who have been approved for an examination fee voucher may record redeeming the voucher on the application.

If you have not submitted payment or redemption of an examination voucher of the examination processing fee on or before the application deadline, your application will not be accepted

Note: Although the online application system allows candidates to elect to receive notification by email or regular mail, please be advised that HRD utilizes only email for all notices to candidates.

Current Military Personnel: Any current military personnel requesting a makeup opportunity, visit Civil Service Military Makeup Examinations for more information.

Makeup Examination: With the exception of current military personnel, no candidate has the right to a makeup examination due to personal or professional conflicts on the testing date.

Candidates are advised to consider this before applying for the examination.

If you file an examination application by the application deadline but are unable to appear for the examination on the examination date due to an emergency or unanticipated hardship, you may request a makeup examination by filing a written request with verifiable documentation to HRD no later than seven calendar days from the original written examination date.

HRD reserves the right to approve or deny your request. HRD may require an additional examination processing fee upon approval of your request.

Reasonable Accommodations: If you need reasonable accommodations due to a documented impairment, or medical condition, you must fill out the Testing Accommodations Request Form and submit supporting documentation as outlined on the form from a qualified professional detailing what type of accommodation you require at the exam site.

The form and supporting documentation must be scanned and attached to the application or emailed to CS-ReasonableAccommodations@mass.gov no later than four weeks prior to the exam date.

Without such a letter, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to grant your accommodation.

This information is requested only to provide reasonable accommodations for exams and will not be used for any other purposes.

Additional Requirements for Correction Officer II candidates: Visit Careers | Mass.gov for more information.

Example of Essential Duties for a Correction Officer II: Under direct supervision of Correction Officers or other employees of higher grade, the duty of a Correction Officer II is to: Maintain custodial care and control of inmates.

Essential duties to be performed include: conduct vehicle and mail searches, staff and visitor searches, inmate searches, building and ground inspections; write reports, check inventory and evidence, review reports and documentation, manage incidents and maintain security, understanding use of force and when to implement it, prepare for evacuations and first aid, oversee inmates, review counts, observe and document inmate behavior, use inmate management system (IMS), coordinate inmate transportation, use the employee performance review system (EPRS), training and counseling, monitor rosters, oversee daily operations, communicate in writing and orally, oversee inmate activities, supervise staff, examine accessibility, respond to visitors and the media, and perform other related work as required.

Examination Subjects: The written examination will be designed to test, where practicable, the following abilities which have been established as qualifications for the position: ability to communicate orally and in writing, ability to initiate and work independently, ability to be adaptable, ability to be accountable, and ability to analyze and make decisions.

The study materials for this exam are available on the Examination Preparation Guides and Reading Lists page of our website.

Reading List: Available at Reading Lists

Situational Judgement Test (SJT): The examination will measure your Judgment and Decision-Making, Accountability, Adaptability, Guiding and Developing Others, Leadership (including Managing Activities and Building Teams), and Interpersonal Skills (including Conflict Management).

Experience & Education (E&E): All candidates must complete the 2026 Correction Officer II Promotional Examination E&E Claim application online.

Instructions and a link to the E&E Claim will be emailed to candidates prior to the examination date. A confirmation email will be sent upon successful submission of an E&E Claim application.

Submitting an E&E claim in any way other than through the online claim process will result in an "INCOMPLETE" score on this exam component.

In addition, candidates who fail to include any supporting documentation to their E&E application by the deadline of August 22, 2026, will receive an "INCOMPLETE" score.

All claims and supporting documentation must be received within seven calendar days following the examination.

Supporting documentation must be scanned and attached to the E&E application or emailed to civilservice@mass.gov no later than August 22, 2026.

Documents can be uploaded to your Civil Service account when submitting your E&E application.

Documents such as educational transcripts that have already been submitted and are attached to your Civil Service account do not need to be resubmitted. A new EVF must be provided for each examination.

Statutory Preference Points: Veterans and disabled veterans will be awarded two points to their passing, overall (general average) examination score.

To claim veterans’ preference, select veteran status in the application and attach your DD214 to the application or email it to civilservice@mass.gov.

For more information on veteran status, visit Military Information.

Updating Information: Candidates are responsible for maintaining accurate contact information. Failure to keep your records current may jeopardize opportunities for employment. For information on how to update your information, visit Update Your Account.

During the HRD review process or during the life of the applicable eligible list(s), candidates must make original supporting documentation available should the issue of authenticity arise with any submitted document copies.

Refunds: There will be no refunds of the examination processing fee unless the examination is cancelled by HRD.

Private School or Service: HRD does not recommend or endorse any private school, service, or publisher offering preparation and/or publications for examinations and is not responsible for their advertising claims.

Supplemental Information:

Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

For more information about this and other civil service examinations, visit http://www.mass.gov/civilservice or email the Civil Service Unit at civilservice@mass.gov.

Inquiries may also be made to HRD, Monday through Friday, 8:45am – 5:00pm, at the following numbers:
Boston area: (617) 878-9895
Within Massachusetts: 1-800-392-6178
TTY Number: (617) 878-9762