Job Title: Correctional Officers

I. JOB SUMMARY
Performs routine correctional work involving the care and custody of inmates. Work involves the direct supervision of inmate work groups in their daily assigned duties; preventing escapes; and maintaining discipline in conformance with strict rules, regulations, and standard operating procedures. Works under moderate supervision with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

II. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Receives on-the-job training while working at the assigned facility with experienced correctional officers and under the general supervision of supervisors.
Searches for contraband and provides security; counts, feeds, and supervises inmates in housing, work, and other areas accessed by stairs; and performs security of various assigned areas involving long periods of sitting and standing, climbing stairs and ladders to reach assigned areas, and working at heights.
Provides custody and security of inmates including observing actions of inmates, squatting and bending to conduct "pat" and "strip" searches of inmates, restraining and securing sometimes assaultive inmates, and transferring and transporting inmates by walking or riding in various vehicles such as trailers, vans, buses, and other forms of transportation.
Supervises and provides security of inmates performing technical skills such as construction, maintenance, laundry, food service, and in varied industrial and agricultural operations which involve climbing stairs and ladders and climbing around the inside or outside of buildings; works outdoors and indoors without air conditioning; works around motorized or moving equipment and machinery; and is subject to all types of weather.
Responds to emergencies, including climbing stairs and ladders while searching for escaped inmates, hearing calls for and calling for help, giving first aid at the emergency site, carrying an injured or unconscious inmate or employee various distances to safety up or down stairs and ladders; and uses force and deadly force, including the use of chemical agents or firearms, to control inmates.
Reads, reviews, and properly applies information found in inmate records which is related to the inmate’s health and safety and to the security of the facility; provides leadership and technical guidance to other staff; complies with policies, procedures, rules, and regulations; enforces inmate disciplinary rules; and prepares and maintains records, forms, and reports.
* Performs a variety of marginal duties not listed, to be determined and assigned as needed.

III. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A. Education, Experience, and Training

Graduation from an accredited senior high school or equivalent or GED.
Successful completion of an accredited Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) approved college Correctional Officer Training program or TDCJ Correctional Officer PreService Training Academy.

* Continued employment is contingent upon passing exams and skills tests.

B. Knowledge and Skills

1. Knowledge of agency and departmental organizational structure, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations preferred.
2. Skill to interpret and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
3. Skill to communicate ideas and instructions clearly and concisely.
4. Skill to coordinate with other staff, departments, officials, agencies, organizations, and the public.

IV. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS WITH OR WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

A. Ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, push, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above the shoulder, grasp, pull, bend repeatedly, climb stairs, steps, and ladders, identify colors, hear with aid, see, write, count, read, speak, analyze, alphabetize, lift and carry 45 lbs. and over, perceive depth, operate a motor vehicle, operate motor equipment, perform tactile discernment, and restrain assaultive persons.

B. Conditions include working inside and outside, working around machines with moving parts and moving objects, radiant and electrical energy, working closely with others, working alone, working protracted or irregular hours, excessive heat, cold, humidity, dampness and chill, dry atmosphere, excessive or intermittent noise, constant noise, dust, fumes, smoke, gases, grease, oils, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working at heights, working on ladders or scaffolding, using chemical agents, and traveling by car, van, bus, and airplane.

C. Equipment (machines, tools, devices) used in performing only the essential functions may include computer and related equipment, calculator, copier, fax machine, telephone, radio, firearms, handcuffs, waist and leg restraints, turn cranks on manual doors, tear gas canisters and weapons, VCR cameras, various locking systems, tractor, trailer, dolly, and automobile.

Additional Information

Your employment application will be delayed if it contains incomplete or missing information, especially on employment history. Ensure employment history, at a minimum, includes any history of federal or state employment, law enforcement, correctional, healthcare, childcare, or security employment regardless of how many years have passed. Without a complete employment history, your application may be rejected as incomplete.

If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who contacts you to schedule your interview. Whenever possible, please give the hiring representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

*Outside applicants will be required to submit to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment.*


Military Occupation Specialty Code

Military Occupational Specialty Codes are generally applicable to this position. Applicants must fully complete the summary of experience to determine if minimum qualifications are met.

MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY CODES can be found at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions


EEO Statement

The State of Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services. You may make copies of this application and enter different position titles, but each copy must be signed. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of applications, unless specifically stated in the job vacancy notice.