Correctional Officer

Special Hiring Rate

$47,900.32 upon hire and $50,400.272 after 6 months
- Critical Vacancy Pay Facilities:
Huttonsville Correctional Center and Jail, Mount Olive Correctional Complex and Jail, Western Regional Jail and Corrections Facility, Northern Correctional Facility, Northern Regional Jail, Chick Buckbee Juvenile Center, Vicki Douglas Juvenile Center, Potomac Highlands Regional Jail, Eastern Regional Jail, and other listed facilities.

$42,900.208 upon hire and $45,400.16 after 6 months
- Remaining Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation facilities.

• Implement training materials, post orders, administrative regulations, log entries and memoranda.
• Obtain information from previous shift regarding activities.
• Observe and monitor offenders to detect unusual or prohibited behavior, maintaining custody and control within the correctional facility.
• Perform counts at regular intervals to ensure offender accountability.
• Escort offenders to and from facility areas; search persons, personal property and areas.
• Supervise offenders in performing assigned tasks.
• Assist with intake/discharge procedures for offenders.
• Maintain public safety and control of offenders by enforcing rules, regulations and state law; report violations.
• Testify at internal disciplinary hearings and in court.
• Transport offenders to and from correctional facilities.
• Listen and respond to offender requests, problems and complaints.
• Model appropriate personal and social living skills when interacting with offenders.
• Recognize and respond to potential or actual emergencies, such as fires, physical altercations, disturbances or escapes in a manner consistent with policy, procedure and state law.
• Participate in staff, team and committee meetings.
• Operate security/communications equipment and firearms as directed, consistent with policy and procedure.
• Inspect, inventory, maintain physical control of keys, tools, weapons and related equipment; report damaged or missing items.
• Perform safety and sanitation inspections; oversee cleaning of facility areas and inmate hygiene activities.

• Knowledge of correctional security operations, treatment and support programs.
• Knowledge of rules, regulations and state law.
• Ability to read and understand training materials, policies, procedures and related written material.
• Ability to follow verbal instructions and written directives and a formal chain of command.
• Ability to enforce rules, regulations and state law.
• Ability to provide an accurate count of offenders.
• Ability to safely handle mechanical restraints, intermediate weapons, firearms and be certified as required.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Physical ability to run, jump, climb stairs and restrain violent offenders.
• Ability to plan, organize and direct offender activities and work details.
• Ability to resolve offender problems and conflicts and handle requests.

Graduation from a standard high school or the equivalent.

• Must successfully complete a psychological examination prior to appointment and as required thereafter.
• Must successfully complete a medical examination prior to appointment and as required thereafter.
• Must successfully complete a physical performance test prior to appointment and annually thereafter.
• Must successfully complete a chemical urinalysis drug‑screening test prior to initial employment.
• Subject to random drug testing and testing for reasonable suspicion.
• Character and suitability verified through an agency investigation.
• Background free of felony convictions and PReA‑prohibited activity.
• Subject to recurring background checks as required by law or policy.
• Will work various shifts; schedules subject to change.
• Mandatory overtime requirements; available for assignment to any location in West Virginia.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Must maintain a working telephone for contact.
• Must successfully complete training as required by the Commissioner or law.
• Must possess the ability to perform the essential functions and tasks of the classification.

• Upon completion of the first year of continuous service, any employee hired into the rank of the Correctional Officer series shall receive a retention incentive of $2,000.
• If an employee is hired into a Critical Vacancy Pay Facility (CVPF) and leaves the facility, the additional pay differential of $5,000 is removed unless transferring to another CVPF.

1 year.