Job Details

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.

All CO applicants, including non-correctional TDCJ employees applying for reassignment or being

involuntarily demoted, including through a disciplinary action, resolution of a grievance, or Independent Dismissal Mediation, to a CO position, shall meet the following basic eligibility criteria to be employed as a CO:

A. Be a citizen of the U.S. or an alien authorized to work in the U.S.;

B. Be at least 18 years old;

C. Have graduated from an accredited senior high school or equivalent or obtained a state issued General Educational Development (GED) certificate;

Acceptable documentation verifying graduation from an accredited senior high school or equivalent shall include: (1) a high school diploma from a state-accredited school, a school accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education or the United States Department of Education, or any private school; or (2) a high school diploma or transcript based on home schooling accompanied by a signed affidavit in which the applicant affirms the completion of high school via home schooling.

D. Not be on active duty in the military, unless on terminal leave (applicants may apply within six months of eligibility);

E. Not have been discharged from the armed forces under dishonorable conditions;

F. Male applicants who are ages 18 through 25, residing in the U.S., and not currently employed with the TDCJ shall present proof of the applicant's registration with the selective service system as required by federal law or present proof of the applicant's exemption from registration with the selective service system;

G. Not be on community supervision (probation), including deferred adjudication for any criminal offense;

H. Not have pending charges for any criminal offense or have an outstanding warrant;

I. Not have had a Class A misdemeanor conviction within the last 10 years;

J. Not have had a Class B misdemeanor conviction within the last three years;

K. Not prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law;

L. Never have been convicted of a felony;

M. Never have been convicted of an offense involving domestic violence;

N. Pass the TDCJ's written Correctional Officer Pre-Employment Test (currently waived for all applicants)

O. Be able to perform the essential functions of a CO, with or without reasonable accommodation;

P. Pass the TDCJ's pre-employment or pre-assignment drug test consistent with PD-71, "Selection System Procedures;" and

Q. Pass a physical agility test.

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.*