Correctional Officer

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time: 06/30/2026 12:00AM Central Time
Closing Date/Time: 07/13/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly): $4,057.00 - $6,099.00
Salary (Annually): $48,684.00 - $73,188.00

Job Type: Full‑Time

Location:

Tiptonville, TN (Department of Correction, Lake County)

Newly hired Correctional Officers are eligible for a $5,000 sign‑on bonus, payable over an 18‑month period. This classification, Correctional Officer 2, currently has a hiring rate which begins at $4,480 per month.

This position requires a criminal background check. Applicants may be required to provide information about their criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Education and Experience: Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school and experience equivalent to one year of full‑time adult correctional security work or adult correctional security work with a federal or state agency or a local agency accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA).

Substitution of Experience for Required

Education:

Qualifying full‑time employment as a Correctional Officer with the State of Tennessee may be substituted for the required education on a year‑for‑year basis.

• Be willing to 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 in a manner approved by the appointing authority
• Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority
• Supply a fingerprint sample in a manner prescribed by the TBI for a fingerprint‑based criminal history records check
• Have no conviction for a felony or have been discharged under any other than honorable conditions from any branch of the United States armed forces
• Pass a physical examination administered by a licensed physician that is consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and that relates to the essential functions of the position
• Pass a psychological evaluation administered by a licensed mental health professional that is consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and that relates to the essential functions of the position
• Submit to and pass a pre‑employment screening test for use of illegal drugs
• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license at the time of appointment in some positions
• Upon appointment, successfully complete a prescribed course of instruction at the Tennessee Correction Academy

• Supervises inmate activities in housing units, dining areas, recreation and work areas, and attends to the medical, visitation, personal property, and recreational needs of the inmates.
• Inspects and patrols the grounds for contraband, unauthorized personnel, and other security risks.
• Checks in new inmates by assigning accommodations, searching for contraband, issuing clothing, and storing personal property.
• Observes inmate behavior; counsels with inmates and family about problems; evaluates inmates on room and personal hygiene, attitudes towards employees and other inmates, and sends this evaluation to the counseling department.
• Attends a variety of meetings such as staff meetings, disciplinary board meetings, and training for riot control, escape prevention, and first aid.
• Prepares a variety of reports such as daily logs, disciplinary reports, records of inmates' jobs and pay, daily inmate counts, and requisitions for office supplies.
• Operates and utilizes a variety of equipment including two‑way radios, firearms, mace, electronic gates, television cameras, and may operate motor vehicles.
• Ensures the safety of residents through the supervision of their daily activity.
• Breaks up fights or other potentially dangerous situations by persuasion or the use of physical force.
• Carries out and explains existing policies and procedures to others.

• 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