Correctional Officer

Full Job Description

Pay Schedule I, Grade 3C, Regular Schedule: 40 hours per week

This job announcement may close at any time anytime with little or no notice. Applicants are advised to apply promptly.

You MUST meet the following requirements before you can be hired as a Correctional Officer:

• High School diploma or an appropriate equivalent;
• At least 18 years old by the time you are hired;
• A citizen or resident alien of the United States;
• Successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation;
• Successfully complete a psychological evaluation and polygraph examination;
• Successfully complete a physical and medical examination

Application Process

A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the information listed below.

Applicants will automatically receive a system-generated email confirmation when their applications have been successfully submitted.

Once applicants are deemed eligible by meeting the minimum qualifications, they will be invited to take a written exam with Baltimore County's testing vendor to continue on in the process.

Make sure to review the Written Examination section below for additional information on this process.

Requirements

• Assists in the receiving or discharging of inmates;
• Assures that inmates are searched, bathed, clothed, and assigned to cells;
• Confines and releases inmates from cells;
• Monitors inmate activities;
• Drives a County vehicle to transport and escort inmates to and from medical facilities and other locations;
• Supervises inmates on work details;
• Patrols, on foot, the internal and external perimeters of the institution, making periodic inspections of conditions;
• Enforces rules and regulations governing the conduct of visitors;
• Examines packages to be received by inmates;
• Maintains discipline and orderly conduct;
• Breaks up fights among inmates, restrains disorderly inmates;
• Uses appropriate self-defense tactics to deflect assault by inmates;
• Administers CPR and first aid;
• Investigates and handles emergencies and disorders within the Department of Corrections;
• Operates radios, telephones, and other communication equipment;
• Prepares routine reports and records;
• Keeps inventory of various items;
• Attends State mandated training to achieve and maintain correctional officer certification.

Examples of Other Duties

• Performs general clerical duties.
• Assists in training new officers.
• Performs other related duties as required.

(NOTE: The duties and responsibilities listed above are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications for all positions in this class. They may not include all of the essential job functions of each position in the class. Each position may not be required to perform all of the essential job functions listed.)

Qualifications

To become a Correctional Officer, you must:

• Have a high school diploma or an appropriate equivalent;
• Be at least 18 years old by the time you are hired;
• Be a citizen or resident alien of the United States;
• Successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation;
• Successfully complete a psychological evaluation and a polygraph examination;
• Successfully complete a physical and medical examination.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Entry Level)
Ability to count, to read, write, and speak the English language, to understand and carry out oral and written instructions, to operate a motor vehicle safely, to cope with situations in a firm and tactful manner with respect for the rights of others, to respond quickly and effectively, to make proper decisions under pressure, to learn from experience and apply knowledge gained effectively.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Full Performance)
Knowledge of human relations, inmate character and habits, supervision of inmates, disciplinary, security, emergency, and safety policies and procedures, departmental rules and regulations, location of routine and emergency equipment, and appropriate terminology.

Skill in record keeping and report writing, using effective verbal and non-verbal communication, CPR, first-aid, riot control equipment, restraining devices, fire extinguishers and other security and safety equipment, and driving a County vehicle while monitoring inmates.

Ability to protect oneself and others, to handle hostile inmates with minimum amount of force, to observe and note unusual occurrences, to be aware of surroundings, to supervise inmates, to perform duties according to established policies, procedures, rules and regulations.

Age Requirements
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment.

Citizenship Requirements
All applicants must be citizens or resident aliens of the United States at the time of application.

Character Requirements
All applicants must be of good moral character and emotionally and mentally stable, as determined by a comprehensive background investigation, a psychological examination, and a drug test. Persons appointed to this classification are subject to random screening.

Physical Requirements
Applicants must be able to safely perform the duties of the position without posing a threat to the health or safety of themselves or others, as determined by a test of physical ability. In addition, after accepting an appointment to a position within this classification, all candidates will be required to pass a physical examination.

Licenses and Certificates
Some assignments may require possession of a valid driver's license equivalent to a non-commercial Class C Maryland driver's license.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION

Once prospective Correctional Officer applicants submit their application and are deemed eligible, they will receive an invitation from the National Testing Network (NTN).

This invitation will include instructions for first-time users on how to create an NTN account and register for the written exam.

Applicants with existing NTN accounts will receive guidance on how to re-submit a previous exam. Additional information is available upon request for candidates who require a physical testing location.

Continue to monitor your e-mail spam folder to ensure you do not miss your NTN invitation.

PLEASE NOTE: The written exam should be scheduled and taken within 10 days of receipt of the NTN invitation. Be sure to read the instructions carefully, as failure to follow them will result in you being responsible for the cost of the second exam.

Make sure to read the test instructions prior to taking the test due to the minimum computer requirements you must have like reliable internet connection, a camera, a certain type of internet browser, etc.

You also must log into the test 10 minutes early before your exams starts. If you are late, you will be denied entry.

AGILITY TEST:

Applicants who pass the written exam will be invited to participate in the physical agility testing, at a later date. You will be contacted about the physical agility test date, time, and location by the Baltimore County Department of Corrections Office of Human Resources.

The physical Agility Test includes:

1. Timed Shuttle Run – Must run 300 yards in 75 seconds or less.
2. Body Drag - Lift a 180-pound weight of dummy to shoulder height and drag 50 yards.
3. Body Lift and Hold – Lift a 180-pound weight dummy by wrapping arms around the dummy and interlocking fingers under the buttocks, and lift. Examinees will be required to hold in this position for 60 seconds.
4. Must successfully complete ALL above three (3) tasks to receive a passing score at the scheduled Agility Test.

Additional Information

All employees are subject to call to duty and to overtime in emergencies with little or no notice.

During the first year of employment, the employee must receive certification as a correctional officer from the Maryland Correctional Training Commission.

Employees must pass retraining requirements as mandated throughout employment.

Physical and Environmental Conditions
The work of this classification entails frequent walking and standing. The work involves frequent interaction with an inmate population at the detention center. Some assignments may entail the operation of a motor vehicle.

Medical Examination and Employment Background Investigation
Applicants selected for employment with Baltimore County must successfully complete a physical examination, drug screening and employment investigation, including, but not limited to criminal background, education certification and fingerprinting checks.