Correctional Officer

Overview

Under general supervision, a Correctional Officer in this class functions in a supervisory role within a Correctional Facility and holds the rank of Sergeant. Correctional Officers contribute to the public safety mission by providing for the safety, security, and compliance with policy and procedure of the public, staff, and inmates.

Correctional Officers in this class may serve as shift supervisors or in other mid‑level supervisory capacities within a specific work unit or department. This position assigns duties to subordinates, supervises the work performed, conducts roll call and obtains pertinent information from previous shifts, communicates to staff coming on duty, initiates and supervises searches of the facility, inmates and/or visitors, initiates inmate counts, and initiates checks at regular and special time intervals to verify location and status of inmates.

Officers provide security over adult inmates, supervise daily activities while observing and recording behavior and movement to ensure safe confinement, and interact with visitors, staff, inmates, and the public to maintain orderly operations. The work involves a high degree of mental stress from constant contact with inmates.

Required to successfully complete the Academy training program; travel may be required to perform duties in other DCR facilities; performs related duties as assigned.

• Training: Graduation from a standard high school or the equivalent.
• Experience: Four (4) years of full‑time or equivalent part‑time paid experience as a correctional officer, probation/parole officer, any US Military Service (including part‑time National Guard service per agency conversion), police officer, or in criminal justice or a related field.
• Substitution: Successfully completed coursework from a regionally accredited college or university in corrections, criminal justice, or a related field may be substituted for the required experience at a rate of one (1) year for every thirty (30) hours of study.

• Applicants must successfully complete competitive promotion selection process governed by agency policy.
• Applicants must successfully complete a psychological examination prior to appointment and as required thereafter.
• Applicants must successfully complete a medical examination prior to appointment and as required thereafter.
• Applicants must successfully complete a physical performance test prior to appointment and annually thereafter.
• Applicants must successfully complete a chemical urinalysis drug‑screening test prior to initial employment.
• All employees will be subject to random drug testing as well as drug testing for reasonable suspicion per agency policy.
• Applicant’s character and suitability for employment as a Correctional Officer must be verified through an agency investigation prior to employment.
• Applicant’s background must be clear of felony convictions.
• Applicant’s background must be clear of any activity prohibited by the Prison Rape Elimination Act.
• Applicants are subject to recurring background checks as may be required by law, rule, standard, or policy.
• Applicants will be required to work various shifts; schedules are subject to change at any time.
• Applicants are subject to mandatory overtime requirements and must be able to be assigned to any location in the state of West Virginia.
• Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license prior to appointment and maintain it continuously while employed.
• Applicants must maintain a working telephone for agency contact.
• Applicants shall successfully complete training as required by policies established by the Commissioner or by law, rule, or standard.
• Applicants must possess the ability to perform the essential functions and tasks of the classification.
• Applicants shall successfully complete a Supervisor Training Course within six (6) months of promotion.

PG: 12 $ 35,702 - $61,628

Market Rate: $54,918

• $57,900.336 - Critical Vacancy Pay Facilities:
  Huttonsville Correctional Center and Jail, Mount Olive Correctional Complex and Jail, Western Regional Jail and Corrections Facility, Northern Correctional Facility (including Ohio…