Correctional Officer

Salary : $31.00 - $38.00 Hourly

Location : Lincoln, NE

Job Type : Full time / probationary or status

Job Number : 202400014CR

Department : Corrections

Opening Date : 01 / 02 / 2024

Job Posting Information

Are you ready to put the U in J_stice? If you're looking for a job that does you justice, offers you benefits to take advantage of on day one, and provides a place where you can make an impact, the time is now for you to apply to be a correctional officer. Work at one of the most progressive criminal justice agencies in the Midwest. The Lancaster County Department of Corrections prides itself on the impact our officers make on people in some of the more difficult moments of their lives. With excellent starting wages, career advancement opportunities, great insurance, and much more, our benefits go far beyond your average job.

With full-time positions starting at $31.00 with an annual merit increase up to $38.00 an hour, competitive pay is always an option. Your increased pay can start from your first day on the job with qualifying previous corrections experience as well. So don't miss out on this opportunity, say hello to better pay and a better career opportunity.

Nature of Work / Examples of Work Performed

Nature of Work

Correctional Officers are direct contact positions in the Lancaster County Department of Corrections.

Our officers are responsible for providing security and care to incarcerated individuals, ensuring inmate safety, enforcing rules and regulations, maintaining order, escorting inmates, and supervising various inmate activities and programs. Officers also provide input into the treatment of individual inmates and the correctional facility population in general through reporting observations to counseling, medical, and supervisory staff. All work is performed under general supervision of a superior and includes work reviews though reports, conferences, and observations. This job gives our officers the opportunity to make an impact on lives in ways that no other job can. Do you have what it takes?

What are the work requirements of officers?

• Process new inmates; supervise inmate activities, recreation, personal visits, and phone calls; provide inmates with services such as laundry, meals, mail, sanitation & numerous others.
• Prevent and control volatile situations among the inmates; conduct searches or shakedowns to control contraband; escort inmates to any medical or legal appointments.
• Supervise inmate activities including educational, recreational, and trustee duties.
• Listen openly to inmate questions or grievances to help resolve or refer problems / issues to appropriate staff.
• Document inmate activities and relevant incidents and complete oral and written reports when required.

Desirable Knowledge, Abilities & Skills / Desirable Training & Experience

Desirable Knowledge, Abilities & Skills / Desirable Training & Experience

Minimum Qualifications / Necessary Special Requirements

Minimum Qualifications / Necessary Special Requirements

Graduation from a senior high school or equivalent.

Must be a citizen of the United States and be at least nineteen (19) years of age.

At the time of employment, must be fingerprinted for a criminal history search; must be free of any convictions of crimes punishable by imprisonment in a state or federal penitentiary for a term of one (l) year or more, from which a pardon has not been received.

Must submit to and successfully pass a substance abuse test.

Must be examined by a licensed physician and meet the medical requirements of the Corrections Department. Possession of a valid driver's license and the ability to be insured by the County's insurance carrier is required in the performance of assigned duties.

We value each Lancaster County employee and one way we demonstrate this is by providing an attractive and competitive total compensation package that adds value to our employees' professional and personal lives. The following benefits are available for this position :

Medical and / or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

CONFIDENTIALITY DISCLOSURE AND APPLICATION COMPLETION ACKNOWLEDGMENT : This application process uses a combination of automated and hand scoring of all application materials against screening criteria that have been established by the employer.1. I understand that if I have not completely and fully answered all application questions and / or supplemental questions with details, I may not receive full credit for my education and / or experience.2. Further, I understand that merely referring to my resume (e.g. "see resume" in lieu of providing detailed responses) is not sufficient for purposes of ensuring accurate application evaluation.3. All employers, work and volunteer experience, and education described in the following Supplemental Questions must also be listed on the application.4. I understand that I am responsible for the accuracy and completeness of my application and my responses to the supplemental questions.

Are you a United States Citizen? (Required per State Jail Standards, Chapter 2 004.01A)

Are you a High School Graduate / GED? (Required per State Jail Standards, Chapter 2 004.01D)

Are you 19 years old or older? (Required per State Jail Standards, Chapter 2 004.01B)

What type of employment are you seeking?

I understand that applicants for Lancaster County positions will have their driving records checked through the State of Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicle to ensure they meet the insurable standards under the County's automobile insurance policy.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony offense?

If you answered yes to the felony offense question please explain below :

Do you FLUENTLY speak, read, or write in a language other than English (Sign Language included)?

If yes, to the above question please indicate what language(s).

Have you ever held a job as a Correctional Officer?

If yes to the above question, please list the employer(s) where you acquired this experience, describe your work experience, and length of time employed.

Have you ever held a position as a correctional supervisor or administrator?

If yes to the above question, please list the employer(s) where you acquired this work experience, describe your work experience, and length of time employed.

Do you have at least one year experience in any of the following? (Click all that apply)

If yes to the above question, please list the employer(s) where you acquired this experience, describe your work experience, and length of time employed.

Education : (Please click on any that apply)

If answered "other field", please indicate what field of study.

Have you ever successfully completed a corrections / law enforcement training academy?

Do you have a certificate as an EMT or as a CPR instructor?

You are a correctional officer assigned to a housing area. You have been assigned to this area several times, and one of the inmates in the housing area seems to never violate any of the rules and always does what he / she is asked to do. He / She has a good reputation as not being a troublemaker and has a good job assignment that could be taken away if he / she was to violate a rule. One day he / she asks if you would take and mail a letter that he has written to his mother, who is dying of cancer and who is not able to visit and he / she cannot contact by phone. Which of the options is the most preferred?

Which of the options is the least preferred for the question listed above?

You are a correctional officer assigned to the kitchen area. You are responsible for offenders who work in the kitchen. There are other non-correctional employees who also work in the kitchen. One day you notice that an employee who has only worked there for two days returns from his lunch hour and sneaks what appears to be a sack lunch from a local fast-food place to an offender. Which of the options is the most preferred?

Which of the options is the least preferred for the question listed above?

Required Question

Salary : $31 - $38