Correctional Specialist-Corrections

Howard County:

Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.

Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2025, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 83 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland, and the highest number of awards out of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 136 awards.

NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policy making.

We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.

• We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
• We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
• We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
• As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

This is a professional level position that is responsible for interviewing, orienting, classifying, and counseling inmates at the Howard County Detention Center. This position also performs a variety of collateral assignments including scheduling inmates for programming.

Performs professional level corrections operations work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes interviewing, counseling, orienting inmates in the Detention Center; classifying inmates and developing and implementing treatment plans; and conducting education and rehabilitation programs.

* This is a Classified position, meaning that it is a part of the Howard County Classified Service upon completion of a probationary period of at least six (6) months*

• Orient newly incarcerated inmates to Detention Center rules and regulations.
• Conduct interviews with inmates to identify problems, needs, and appropriate referrals.
• Develop and maintain case history files.

• Assign and reassign inmates to appropriate housing units.
• Screen, assess, and assign inmates to institutional jobs and programs.
• Assist in developing institutional policies and procedures related to classification and community-based programs.

• Assist in the placement and supervision of inmates in community-based programs, including work release and home detention.
• Provide counseling services to support inmate program participation and adjustment.

• Enter inmate information into the automated jail management system.
• Perform criminal history and warrant checks using MILES/NCIC/CJIS systems.

• Conduct hearings for inmates charged with violation of institutional rules.
• Document decisions and ensure compliance with established policies.

• Serve as liaison and coordinator for Parole Hearings, Intrastate Detainer Act processing, Social Security reporting, Victim Witness Notification, and Child Sex Offender programs.

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Bachelor's degree and minimum age of 21 years or an equivalent combination of education and experience.