Corrections Officer - Entry Level - Jail Services

Job Summary

The Clark County Jail Services Department is seeking qualified candidates to join our team of Corrections Officers. Corrections Officers provide intake and release services for inmates, maintain order, and ensure security at the Clark County Main Jail and Jail Work Center. This is a demanding yet rewarding career that offers the opportunity to make a positive difference in the community.

Newly hired Corrections Officers may be eligible for hiring incentives up to $10,000*.

Qualified lateral Corrections Officers may be eligible for hiring incentives up to $25,000*.

THIS POSITION IS OPEN FOR CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT.

Qualifications

Mission Statement

The Clark County Jail Services Department is dedicated to protecting the community from the inside out. We accomplish this mission by providing a safe, secure, and humane environment for inmates while upholding the highest standards of public safety. We are committed to the professional development of our staff and fostering a work environment that is ethical, respectful, and inclusive.

Essential Services

Corrections Officers play a vital role in the delivery of essential public services. They are responsible for ensuring the safety and security of our community by supervising inmates, maintaining order within our facilities, and preventing the flow of contraband. Correctional Officers are considered essential employees and are required to work as assigned, including weekends, holidays, and mandatory overtime shifts.

Here's what you can expect as a Corrections Officer with Clark County Jail Services:

• Competitive salary and benefits package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance, paid leave, and retirement savings plan.
• The opportunity to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• The chance to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
• A career path with opportunities for advancement.
  
  

Education and Experience

• Are at least 21 years of age (applications may be submitted within 6 months of 21st birthday
• Must be a United States citizen or a legal permanent resident.
• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Must possess a valid Washington or Oregon State driver's license.
  
  

The ideal candidate will have the following

• Experience working in a security setting.
• Military experience is a plus.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• A physical fitness level sufficient to perform the duties of the job.
  
  

Preferred; Basic Knowledge of the following areas:

• Criminal justice system and procedures.
• De-escalation techniques.
• Crisis intervention.
• First aid and CPR.
• Applicable rules and regulations.
  
  

Ability to

• Give clear and concise instructions.
• Respond to emergencies calmly and effectively.
• Diffuse conflict situations.
• Perform physical tasks such as restraining inmates.
• Work in a fast-paced and stressful environment.
• Work Holidays, Weekends, Day, Swing, or Grave shifts
• Work 12-hour shifts -This position operates on a '4 on 4 off' 12-hour shift schedule, meaning you will work four consecutive 12-hour shifts followed by four days off, in rotation to maintain continuous coverage
• Maintain exceptional attendance
  
  

Reliable attendance is not just about individual responsibility; it's about serving the community effectively and efficiently.

By maintaining consistent attendance, you contribute to the smooth and uninterrupted delivery of essential public safety services.

Your commitment to reliable attendance demonstrates your dedication to serving the community and upholding the highest standards of professionalism.

Selection Process Details

This is a continuous recruitment. We accept job applications throughout the year and create a competitive eligibility list that is valid for 6 months from completion of a successful background. Please see the details below to learn more about the hiring process

Steps

• Application: All candidates must submit a job application through this site
• Written Test: All candidates must complete a written exam (Written-Weighted 100%) (Written Exam scores of 70 or above are accepted)
  
  

Please Contact Officer Drew Smetana and the team at Jailservicestesting@clark.wa.gov to register for a free local test.

• Physical Test: All candidates after successful completion of the written test will be invited to complete the Physical Ability test (P.A.T.).Candidates for the position of corrections officer must complete the PAT before they are eligible to interview.
  
  

To view a demonstration of the test click the link below http://https://vimeo.com/491713554?embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=105896965

Physical Ability Test Criteria

• Push-Ups - 90 seconds total of 15
• Sit-Ups - 90 seconds total of 12
• Squat Thrusts - 3 minutes total of 25
• Panel Interview: All candidates must complete a panel interview to be considered for the Background Process. Candidates will receive an invitation to interview with the panel after testing is completed and the panel is available.
• Background Process- All candidates who are selected in the panel interview to move forward to the background phase will be invited to begin a background investigation. The background submission is a graded component and the grading rubric will be sent with the initial invitation to begin the backgrounds
• Background Investigation: This is the most detailed and lengthy part of the hiring process. Please see additional details below.
  
  

Clark County Jail Services adheres to the State of Washington and the Criminal Justice Training Commissions' requirements for background investigations under RCW 43.101.095.

The background investigation will consist of the following elements

• Criminal history investigation
• Affiliations
• Personnel and professional references
• Employment History
• Credit check
• Drivers record investigation
• Polygraph examination
• Psychological evaluation
• Medical examination
  
  

Areas that may disqualify a candidate from eligibility

• Any Felony Convictions regardless of status
• Misdemeanor conviction for moral turpitude
• Any charges of Domestic Violence
• Any sex-related convictions
• Any manufacturing and/or distribution of illegal drugs within disqualifying timelines
• Any Reckless/Negligent/DUI within the last 3 years
• Any use of illegal drugs within the last 3 years
• Pattern of financial fraud or irresponsibility including failure to pay taxes or child support
• Unfavorable employment history (excessive terminations or disciplinary patterns)
• Dishonorable discharge from the Military
• Fail to Register for Selective Service
• Any discharge from a Criminal Justice Agency related to honesty.
• Any affiliation with Gangs or Extremist groups
• Tattoos or markings that could be deemed offensive or unprofessional
• Social Media use that demonstrates a pattern of divisiveness or inability to be impartial
• Falsifying or omitting information in the background personal history statement
• Any recent patterns of behavior that erode public trust.
• Failure to pass the polygraph examination
• Failure to pass a psychological evaluation
• Failure to pass medical exam
• Failure to pass drug screening
• Eligibility List: If your background investigation determined you met the minimum qualification for the eligibility list, your written test, panel interview score, and background submission grading score will be combined into an overall score. You will then be placed on a candidate eligibility list according to your score. As vacancies become available the candidates with the highest ranked score on the eligibility list may receive a conditional offer of employment. It is important to note that your ranking may change daily. This is due in large part to exams being administered continuously with candidates merging on and off the lists regularly. The ranking also changes as a result of individuals being hired from the list or expiring off the list.
• Conditional Offer: Offers of employment are contingent on passing the following exams:
• Physical Ability Test -This test is administered through 3 stages of the hiring and employment process. (1. After the initial written test as stated in the 3rd step of the process. 2. As part of the conditional offer and lastly 3. you will take the PAT as an entrance exam into the Corrections Academy )
• Polygraph Examination - based on your background investigation and personal history exam
• Psychological testing and exam
• Medical exam - Statement of Fitness
  
  

Eligibility List - Your score is valid for 6 months after a successful background.

Additional Compensation Information

Eligible candidates for Hiring Sign-on Incentive Bonus payout information:

New Officer: $2000 paid at hire

$8000 paid after the completion of Probation, Field training and

successfully graduating from the Academy

Later Officer: $8000 paid at hire

$8500 paid after completion of Probation, Field training and

successfully completing the equivalency academy if req.

$8500 paid at 3-year service anniversary date

• Required Repayment agreement and schedule for early departure or failed probationary, academy, or Field training step.
  
  

Employees are eligible for an education incentive on base wages, after the completion of probation as follows:

• All members holding an Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university shall be eligible to receive education incentive pay totaling two percent (2.0%).
• All members holding a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university shall be eligible to receive education incentive pay totaling four percent (4%).
• All members holding a Master's Degree from an accredited college or university shall be eligible to receive education incentive pay totaling six percent (6%).
  
  

(Proof of degree received is required)

Employees are eligible to apply for Firearms Certification after the completion of the Academy, Field training, and Probation (some exceptions may apply to the probation wait period)

Employees who qualify and receive certification are eligible for a 5% pay incentive on base wages

Examples of Duties

Job Duties

• Books inmates into the jail
• conducts interview to determine medical, other special needs, and acceptability to book into facility; a
• assists in entering booking information into the jail computer system; conducts personal (pat downs, strip searches), and property searches;
• takes fingerprints, and prepares for submission to AFIS, WASIC, and FBI, photographs and other identification data;
• releases inmates at completion of sentence.
• Supervises the activities of inmates within the jail housing areas and their movement from one area to another;
• supervises and documents food services;
• verifies needs and makes arrangements for medical and health care;
• monitors use of prescribed medications; monitors recreational, educational, and visitation activities;
• monitors visits and interviews with authorized persons;
• answers phone calls and relates information to authorized persons.
• Supervises the preparation of inmates for transportation to courts and other inmate appointments.
• Conducts regular security checks; screens and searches visitors;
• conducts periodic headcounts and searches of inmates and the areas accessible to them to prevent the flow of contraband into the facility;
• administers or arranges for breathalyzer or urinalysis to detect suspected drug or alcohol use;
• Instructs inmates on jail rules and procedures;
• investigates suspected rule violations; takes informal action to correct inmate behavior as appropriate; writes violation reports and submits them to supervisor;
• participates in inmate disciplinary proceedings as assigned; removed.
• Maintains custody and control of inmates when confined to hospitals or other facilities as required; coordinates with various courts to ensure that inmates appear as scheduled for trial;
• Serves on various committees such as, training, safety, classification, wellness, wear and tear, affirmative action, equal employment opportunity, and others. May be assigned temporary assignment as training officer, or instructor positions.
• Perform Duties as assigned
  
  

Salary Grade

Corrections Deputy.102

Salary Range

$34.60 - $46.40- per hour

Close Date

Open Until Filled

Recruiter

Keely Warren

Email

Keely.Warren@clark.wa.gov

Equal Opportunity Employer

Clark County is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, access, and delivery of all county services. Clark County's Equal Employment Opportunity Plan is available at http://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources/documents.

Employee Benefits And Additional Compensation

Clark County provides regular full-time and part-time employees with a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, vision and dental insurance, paid leave, flexible spending accounts, life insurance and long-term disability, retirement, and deferred compensation. Some types of employees in some positions and bargaining units might have different benefits and additional compensation. More specific benefit information for the different bargaining units can be found at https://clark.wa.gov/human-resources/employee-benefits. Also please refer to the specific bargaining unit contract for additional compensation at https://clark.wa.gov/human-resources/documents.

Retirement Information

All Clark County employees must participate in a WASHINGTON STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM PLAN (PERS, PSERS or LEOFF).Employee contributions begin the first day of work. Current contribution rates vary by plan but could range from 5% to 15% of gross pay, depending on the plan choice.

For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site here: http://www.drs.wa.gov/

If you are in need of ADA/Section 504 assistance for accommodations, please contact Human Resources at (564) 397-2456; Relay (800) 833-6388.