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Posted: April 6, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Corrections Officer 1 - SCI LAU

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Department of Corrections

Fresh

Location

Pennsylvania, 17120

Salary

$47,925 - $96,538

per year

Closes

April 21, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job involves supervising inmates in a Pennsylvania state prison, ensuring their safety and security while managing daily activities like movement between areas and enforcing rules.

It requires handling physically demanding situations, working various shifts including overtime, and providing guidance to help inmates adjust to prison life.

A good fit would be a current Department of Corrections employee who is physically fit, reliable, and comfortable with high-stress environments involving direct interaction with people.

Key Requirements

  • Current employee of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (statewide)
  • Pass a background investigation and meet CJIS compliance requirements
  • Successful completion of the Corrections Officer Trainee Program or equivalent minimum experience and training
  • Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, including running, restraining inmates, and working in all weather conditions
  • Maintain an active PA driver's license or equivalent for required vehicle operation
  • Willingness to work all shifts, mandatory overtime, and maintain regular attendance
  • Effective verbal and written communication, plus ability to administer emergency medical assistance

Full Job Description

This position provides care, custody and control of inmates at SCI Laurel Highlands on an assigned shift.


Work Hours: Work schedule to be determined. Selected applicant will work a 40-hour work week; this is shift work with rotating days off.


Distribution: This posting is restricted to current Department of Corrections employees (statewide).

This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50/55.

Requirements

Directs inmate activities and maintains security in cell blocks, housing units, cottages, work areas, dining and recreation areas.

Observes inmates from towers, in corridors or in visiting areas, searches visitors, moves groups of inmates from one area of an institution to another, patrols assigned areas.

Provides advice and guidance in assisting inmates in their adjustment to and participating in correctional processes and the Department's rules and regulations.

Work varies from duties where there is direct involvement with inmates to work where there is limited contact with inmates and visitors.


ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  1. Exercise care, custody, and control over inmates
  2. Apply physical force and intervention when appropriate and necessary
  3. Perform physically demanding tasks, e.g. running, physical control of inmates
  4. Reach, bend, stoop, pull, push, kneel, lift, climb, and grasp
  5. Be mobile over all types of physical surfaces and levels
  6. Spend prolonged periods of time standing or walking
  7. Spend prolonged periods of time working indoors as well as outdoors in all weather conditions
  8. Work all shifts and posts (except those that require an active PA driver's license or equivalent)
  9. Operate basic office equipment
  10. Maintain an active PA driver's license or equivalent that is specific to the class and type of vehicle to be operated pursuant to post requirements
  11. Work mandatory overtime in compliance with provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, with little or no advance notice, whether on or off duty at the time of notification
  12. Maintain regular and reliable attendance
  13. Use and maintain various equipment and tools of the corrections profession
  14. Properly wear all portions of assigned uniform
  15. Effectively communicate verbally and in writing
  16. Establish and maintain effective working relationships
  17. Hear and identify sounds (voices, whistle, buzzer, lock release, scuffling, sudden quiet)
  18. Visually observe inmates' activities
  19. Administer emergency medical assistance to inmates and staff
  20. Attend and participate in all mandatory training and/or testing
  21. Maintain weapons qualifications in accordance with DOC Policy 5.1.1, Section 7
  22. Travel as required

Qualifications

ORGANIZATION OR LOCATION RESTRICTIONS:
This posting is restricted to current Department of Corrections employees (statewide).

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS:
You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

RECRUITMENT METHODS:
Applicants must meet one of the following methods to be considered for this vacancy:

Reassignment (Only current civil service employees in the same agency who hold the same or similar job title, with the same maximum salary and comparable minimum qualifications, will qualify for reassignment).

Voluntary Demotion
You must be eligible for selection in accordance with merit system employment regulations.

ELIGIBILITY – ALL APPLICANTS:
1. Meet the minimum experience and training (MET's) for the job:
Successful completion of the Corrections Officer Trainee Program; or
One year of experience in corrections security work in a Pennsylvania state or county
corrections facility. (Note: Persons seeking employment under this option will be required to successfully complete, or have completed, a training program conducted by the Department of Corrections.)

Please Note: Certain SCI Corrections Officer positions will require applicants to have and maintain an active Pennsylvania non-commercial Class C driver's license or equivalent.

PA residency is waived for this job title.

This position is posted in accordance with DOC Policy 04.01.01 Section 13- Employee Movements within the Department.


APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
The following materials must be submitted with your application by the posting closing date. Late applications and other materials will not be accepted:

1. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience). Do not submit resumes, cover letters, and similar documents. These documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. This applies to all applicants.

2. If this position would be a voluntary demotion for you, you must attach letter acknowledging you applied for a voluntary demotion.

It is also strongly encouraged that you attach your recent regular or probationary Employee Performance Review. If you have never had an EPR completed, it is encouraged that a statement to this effect be included with your application. Please note that if you are selected for this position, this information will be confirmed with your supervisor.

An electronic copy of your EPR can be obtained through ESS (www.myworkplace.pa.gov) in the “Personal” section by clicking on “Official Personnel File.”

Failure to comply with the above application requirements will eliminate you from consideration for this position. Please use the contact information provided for additional information.

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

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Posted on NEOGOV: 4/6/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 4/6/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-pabureau-5279634