Correctional officer job description

Your guide to finding and hiring the right person for your organization

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Job description

How to write a correctional officer job description

Think about your typical correctional officer: busy, driven to meet objectives, and practical to a tee. As such, your correctional officer job description should be brief, specific, and realistic. Introduce your company, then outline your expectations. Once you’ve introduced the work environment, clearly spell out the qualifications, duties, and objectives. Be sure to set the bar high to find high-quality candidates. A strong correctional officer job description conveys the day-to-day and long-term impact of the position, and avoids long-winded detail or empty jargon.

Correctional officer job description template

This sample job post will introduce your organization’s culture and values, while helping potential candidates understand how they’ll contribute from Day 1.

Sample correctional officer job description

[Company X] is driven by excellence and a commitment to the public good. We are seeking a correctional officer who can provide quality inmate care in a secure environment while positively impacting their community. As an integral part of the criminal justice system, correctional officers maintain security, safety, and control in a prison environment. The ideal candidate will be disciplined, strong, and personable. Come join a hardworking team with opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and participation in charitable activities as part of our greater mission.

Find the right candidate for your organization by posting a good job description for an account executive. You can use the template below and tailor it to your individual needs.

Objectives of this role

Provide care, custody, and control of pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates
Manage inmate transfers to housing, cafeteria, work, and recreational facilities
Perform routine duties in accordance with established laws, policies, and procedures
Maintain a safe, humane, and drug-free environment conducive to inmate rehabilitation
Oversee the safety and security of staff members, visitors, supervisees, and the public
Document violations of prison rules and regulations and implement disciplinary measures

Responsibilities

Maintain control while escorting individuals or groups of individuals within the prison
Record facility staff entrance and exit times, screen visitors, and provide security
Conduct routine searches for hazards, contraband, weapons, and unusual activity
Physically restrain inmates when necessary to prevent injury and disorder
Ensure the facility meets requirements for safety and hygiene, as required by law
Participate in confiscation, emergency response, riot control, and escapee pursuits

Skills and qualifications

Citizenship, right to work, or residency requirements (varies by location)
Minimum/maximum age requirement (varies by location)
Physical strength and stamina with the ability to pass a fitness test
“Clean” criminal record — meaning no drug convictions or unpardoned felonies
Completion of a mandatory training program, which may include a civil service exam
Professional demeanor with outstanding negotiation and decision-making skills

Preferred qualifications

Valid driver’s license in applicable jurisdiction
Military service record
CPR and first-aid training and certification
Past personal defense or firearms training
Work experience indicating the willingness and ability to learn new skills
Knowledge of criminal justice, psychology, sociology, counseling, or behavioral science