Correctional Officer

Job Information

State of Tennessee. Opening Date/Time: 02/10/2026 12:00 AM Central Time. Closing Date/Time: 02/23/2026 11:59 PM Central Time. Salary (Monthly): $4,057.00 - $6,099.00. Salary (Annual): $48,684.00 - $73,188.00. Job Type: Full‑Time. City, State:
Henning, TN. Department:
Correction.

Department of Correction, West Tennessee State Penitentiary, Lauderdale County.

The Correctional Officer 2 is responsible for correctional work of average difficulty and performs related duties as required. This class involves the custody, transport, and rehabilitation of inmates at a state penal institution and may be assigned to work any shift. This level differs from the Correctional Officer 1 (entry level) and from the Correctional Corporal (minor supervisor).

Sign‑on bonus: $5,000.00 payable over an 18‑month period.

• Standard high‑school diploma or GED.
• One year of full‑time experience as a Correctional Officer for the Tennessee Department of Correction or equivalent experience with a federal or state agency accredited by the American Correctional Association.

• Be willing and able to qualify with, carry, and use assigned weapons.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age on the date of application.
• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Have a good moral character, as determined by investigation.
• Complete a criminal history disclosure form and release records to the appointing authority.
• Supply a fingerprint sample for a criminal history records check.
• Have no felony conviction, or have been discharged from any branch of the United States armed forces under conditions other than honorable.
• Pass a physical examination consistent with the ADA.
• Pass a psychological evaluation consistent with the ADA.
• Submit to and pass a pre‑employment drug screening.
• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license at the time of appointment for some positions.
• Upon appointment, successfully complete a prescribed course at the Tennessee Correction Academy.

• Supervise inmate activities in housing units, dining areas, recreation and work areas, and attend to their medical, visitation, personal property, and recreational needs.
• Inspect and patrol grounds for contraband, unauthorized personnel, and other security risks.
• Check in new inmates, assigning accommodations, searching for contraband, issuing clothing, and storing personal property.
• Observe inmate behavior; counsel inmates and families about problems; evaluate inmates on hygiene, attitudes, and send evaluations to counseling.
• Attend staff meetings, disciplinary board meetings, and training for riot control, escape prevention, and first aid.
• Prepare daily logs, disciplinary reports, records of inmates’ jobs and pay, daily inmate counts, and requisitions for office supplies.
• Operate and utilize equipment such as two‑way radios, firearms, mace, electronic gates, television cameras, and motor vehicles.
• Ensure safety of residents through supervision of daily activities.
• Break up fights or other dangerous situations by persuasion or physical force.
• Carry out and explain existing policies and procedures to others.

During careers, employees may work any shift and post assignment; preferences are considered but no guarantee is made.

• Decision Quality
• Manages Conflict
• Communicates Effectively
• Ensures Accountability
• Situational Adaptability

• Public Safety and Security
• Customer and Personal Service
• Law and Government

• Active Learning and Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Learning Strategies
• Writing

• Number Facility
• Problem Sensitivity
• Speech Clarity
• Speech Recognition
• Written Comprehension