Corrections Officer

Salary : Depends on Qualifications

Location : Sheriff Department 701 Ball Avenue NE Grand Rapids

Job Type : Full-time

Job Number : 2501 351 0000 REF

Department : Sheriff

Division : Corrections / Jail

Opening Date : 01 / 10 / 2025

Closing Date : 1 / 31 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Eastern

Job Responsibilities

Note : This position is referral bonus eligible.

• We are excited to announce a lateral pay incentive for new hires with consecutive work experience as a full time Corrections Officer.

30.33 : less than 12 months experience as a full time Corrections Officer

31.32 : 12-23 months as a full-time Corrections Officer

32.30 : 24-35 months as a full-time Corrections Officer

33.28 : 36-47 months as a full-time Corrections Officer

34.26 : 48-59 months as a full-time Corrections Officer

35.25 : 60 or more months as a full-time Corrections Officer

The Kent County Correctional Facility is offering excellent opportunities for individuals interested in a career in the criminal justice field. The successful candidates will work in a modern, 1477 bed correctional facility and will function as part of a highly motivated, team-oriented group of corrections professionals. Corrections Officers work in both direct and indirect supervision housing units. While assigned to a direct supervision housing unit, officers are solely responsible for the general supervision, safety and custody of up to 64 inmates per unit of the Kent County Jail. Duties include observing inmate activities to detect unusual or prohibited behavior; monitoring the distribution of medication; conducting inmate counts; responding to calls for assistance; and preparing written incident reports. Individuals will conduct searches of inmates and cells, and supervise inmate workers, recreational activities, and visitations. Corrections Officers must be able to work independently and use sound judgment in stressful situations.

Please note : Candidates that are hired into this position must live within 24 miles of the Kent County border within 1 year.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum qualifications include high school diploma or GED. Good interpersonal skills and knowledge of practical conflict resolution. Working knowledge of security practices and procedures. Ability to interact positively with a culturally diverse inmate population, staff and the general public. Must possess sufficient strength and mobility to physically search inmates and inmate living quarters, restrain or subdue inmates and / or remove inmates involuntarily from any location within the facility. Must be able to stand and / or walk for entire shift in order to observe and interact with inmates.

Must have valid, unrestricted Michigan Driver's license.

In order to qualify to become a Corrections Officer, candidates are subject to detailed personal, work and criminal background investigations and drug testing. The successful candidate must be of sound character and demonstrate a responsible work history. Applicants must be able to provide documentation of diplomas, degrees and relevant certificates and licenses.

Following the steps below will help applicants stay on track and monitor their progress through this employment process. Failure to successfully complete any step will eliminate the applicant from further consideration.

Steps to follow include :

1) Empco written examination completed (see information provided below).

2) LCOPAT physical agility test completed (see information provided below).

Examination through Empco, Inc : The Empco written exam must be completed in order to be considered for hire - it does not have to be completed in order to be interviewed. To register for the written examination or for more information on requirements, test dates, test locations and testing fee, visit the Empco, Inc. website at

Local Corrections Officer Physical Ability Test (LCOPAT) : The Local Corrections Officer Physical Ability Test (LCOPAT) must be completed in order to be considered for hire - it does not have to be completed in order to be interviewed. For more information on requirements, test dates, test locations and testing fee, visit

Important Work Schedule Information :

During the initial 12-month probationary period, new Corrections Officers will be assigned and rotate through each of these shifts :

7 : 00 am - 7 : 00 pm

7 : 00 pm - 7 : 00 am

11 : 00 am - 11 : 00 pm

Additional Information

Watch this video on why our staff have made us their employer of choice.

Kent County Human Resources

Benefit Summary

Kent County Deputy Sheriff's Association

Effective January 1, 2023

Benefits

Full-time

Medical and Prescription Plans

Health Care Premium

Health Care Providers - BCBS Wellness PPO or Blue Care Network HMO or Health Savings Account

Prescription Provider - Capital Rx

20% of total health care premium per month - pretax

Eligible for non-smoking and wellness exam incentives

Medical benefits will become effective first day of the month after hire.

BENEFIT ELECTION FORM MUST BE RETURNED TO

HUMAN RESOURCES WITHIN 4 DAYS OF HIRE.

Dental Plan - Varipro

Class I - 100% of incurred charges (2 cleanings and 1 x-ray per person, per year)

All other services - 50% of reasonable costs (including Orthodontics)

Up to $2,500 annually per family

Vision Plan - VSP

No charge for WellVision Exam; $20 materials co-pay with participating doctors

Life Insurance

50,000 Term Life Insurance

Supplemental Life Insurance

Self-pay in increments of $5,000; Minimum - $15,000 / Maximum -$150,000

Flexible Spending - Varipro

Pre-tax contributions for Health and Dependent Care

Vacation Leave

Accrual begins at hire; from 0 to 3 years of service, will earn 80 hours annually.

See union contract for further details. Accrual must show on paycheck before time can be used.

Paid Time Off

80 hours upon start

May accumulate up to 120 hours.

See contract for details on excess paid time off

Sickness & Accident Plan

1st day of accident or 8th day of illness

67% of gross wages; 26 week benefit

Eligible first day of employment

Eligible for one-time S&A Supplement Bank of 48 hours.

Long Term Disability

60% of normal gross straight time wages up to $5,000 monthly; 180 day waiting period

Probation Period

12 months

Promotion Probation

First 6 months following date of classification change

Holidays

Hire - Pro-rated based on the number of holidays remaining in the year

January 1st - 88 hours

Overtime

1½ times regular straight-time hourly rate for all hours worked in excess of 80 / 84 in any one 14-day tour of duty

Call in Pay

Guaranteed 2 hours paid at time and one-half

Merit Increases

See contract for merit levels

Clothing Allowance

Non-uniformed officers and sergeants will receive $400 per year, paid quarterly

Tuition Reimbursement

315 per credit hour; maximum of 9 credit hours per year (see policy for eligibility)

Mileage

Published IRS Rate

Deferred Compensation

Enrollment first of each month with a minimum investment of $25 per pay period

Retirement

Mandatory participation in a Contributory Defined Benefit Pension Plan.

Employee contribution is 10.98% of pre-tax earnings

Supplement to Medical Benefits Premium

Based on years of service, employees may be eligible for a medical benefits premium supplement

Have you applied to be a Corrections Officer with the Kent County Sheriff's Office previously?

Corrections Officer positions are full time only. Please confirm that you are seeking full time employment by selecting "yes."

Upon completion of the probationary period, probability is high that shift assignment will be 7 : 00 pm to 7 : 00 am for the next 1 ½ to 2 years.Are you willing and able to work all 12 hour shifts as described in this announcement?

Required Question

Salary : $400 - $2,500