Correctional Officer

Our Correctional Officers take great pride in wearing the uniform and badge of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. As a Correctional Officer at the Washington County Jail (WCJ) your daily routine will never be boring. Our Correctional Officers are focused on maintaining peace, security, and safety within the WCJ. Correctional Officers train extensively in mental health crisis intervention and can remain calm, confident and security- minded in the most adverse and stressful situations. Additionally, our Correctional Officers enforce facility rules and maintain order, directly supervise the daily activities of inmates, search for contraband and weapons, complete facility inspections, and write reports on inmate conduct and behaviors. 2026 salary will be from $32.26 per hour + shift differential for afternoon and night shifts Department focused on employee wellness: Generous benefit program On-site access to Mental Health Providers at no cost Peer counseling On-site fitness center Experience based consideration for experienced Correctional Officers is available! DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE: Possess a bachelor's degree (or higher) in any field of study Possess an associate's degree in corrections, law enforcement, psychology, sociology, or criminology SELECTION TECHNIQUE: Your training and experience will be rated based on the required application material submitted and the top-scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration. Candidates must achieve a passing score in each of the following: testing/interview process, psychological examination, background investigation, physical examination, and drug test at the time an appointment is offered. Individuals operating a motor vehicle for county business must possess a valid driver's license. HOURS / DAYS: Correctional Officers currently work a five day on/three day off rotation schedule. Shifts are generally 9 hours long. Days 6:00 am - 3:00 pm (0600-1500) Afternoons - 2:00 pm - 11:00 pm (1400-2300) Nights - 10:00 pm - 7:00 am (2200-0700) Shift exchanges are also allowed with other staff if you need a special event off. ANTICIPATED HIRING RATE: $32.26/ hour - $38.55/hour + shift differential for afternoon and overnight shifts. Experience based considerations (Lateral Wage Points) available - see attached. Lateral wage points will be based on experience, education, and specialty assignments Click here for more information about pay. E-Verify Participation: Washington County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Washington County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Washington County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9. E- Verify Participation Poster Right to work Poster The Correctional Officer is responsible for the safety and security of incarcerated persons in the County jail. Work is performed under general supervision and is reviewed through observation, discussion and evaluation of results attained.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Requires graduation from High School, or equivalent and two years' related work experience in corrections, law enforcement, security, military or human services, or two years of post-secondary education in a related field, or an equivalent combination of related education and work experience to total two years. Candidates must achieve a passing score in each of the following: testing/interview process, psychological examination, background investigation, physical examination and drug test at the time an appointment is offered. Individuals operating a motor vehicle for county business must possess a valid driver's license. CORE COMPETENCIES, JOB SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL JOB PERFORMANCE Core Competencies outline essential business and professional traits necessary to perform this job. • Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace • Demonstrates knowledge of laws, rules and best practices relating to working with inmate contact • Demonstrates the ability to communicate with authority without provoking retaliatory behavior • Demonstrates the ability to deescalate aggressive or negative behavior Perform daily inmate management duties within a jail facility: • Process people received at Intake/Master Control including fingerprinting, mug shot, searching, storing property and obtaining booking information; during this process, Correctional Officers qualify charges and ensures inmates are released after proper authorization; • Supervise, control and escort inmates, visitors, staff and vendors; ensures that all movement is authorized; • Determine the security risk of prisoners going to court and escort prisoners to and from court controlling their conduct; assist court security for emergencies if requested. • Deescalate disturbances and altercations in the Jail; • Record appropriate court data accurately and concisely regarding the status of persons in custody, sentencing orders and other information on persons being sentenced; • Act as liaison between programs, probation officers, nurses, building services, crew leaders and the Jail; may be called to testify in court; • Ensure the safety and security of visitors, staff, and contractors; • Makes well-being checks of housing units and work areas and initiate counts of inmates at regular and irregular intervals; maintain control and discipline including use of physical restraint and restraining devices and professional com