Correctional Officer- Corrections

What you’ll like most about working at Howard County Government:

• 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.

Performs correctional work at the full performance level as a certified Correctional Officer under supervision from a technical superior and is responsible for maintaining security, care and custody of incarcerated persons in the Howard County Detention Center.

Performs technical level corrections operations work under regular supervision from a technical superior. Work includes maintaining security and discipline of inmates both on and off the property of the Howard County Detention Center on an assigned shift. Work also includes guarding inmates at an assigned location and in cell blocks; and participating in counseling and rehabilitation programs as assigned. An individual in this class will serve a 12‑month probationary period during which time they must attend and satisfactorily complete correctional classroom and field training.

* 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*

Works and cooperates with co‑workers and supervisors at all levels.

Maintains security over inmates; observes behavior; supervises work assignments, recreational and housing activities; searches inmates and living/work/program areas for cleanliness, safety, and contraband.

Conducts and records security rounds, formal and informal counts, and inspections.

May process inmate intake and discharge; reviews legal, court, and official documents; issues and receives clothing, property, and funds under supervision.

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, and inmates.

May transport inmates and provide security outside the detention center.

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

• High School Diploma or GED
• Minimum age of 21 years
• U.S. Citizenship or Resident Alien status
• Eligibility for certification by the Maryland Correctional Training Commission and possession of such certificate within one (1) year of appointment.
• Valid Class C driver’s license or equivalent issued by state of residence.
• Successful qualification with Department issued handgun and shotgun or other long rifle.

• Computer and word processing skills.
• Prior military, security, counseling, or public safety experience.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, with diverse populations.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear; frequently stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 100 pounds and occasionally lift or move more than 100 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The work environment characteristics include frequent exposure to moving mechanical parts, occasional exposure to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather, contact with approved departmental chemical agents, loud noise, risk of physical injury, possible exposure to communicable diseases, and use of physical force when required.

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos; ability to write simple correspondence; ability to effectively present information in one‑on‑one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form; ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.