Job Description

(job code 611200) / (starting pay 14.56 per hour)

General Duties          Essential Functions          To Qualify 

General Information

These jobs are with the Department of Corrections at various locations throughout the state. Vacancies may occur in Burlington, Rutland, St. Albans, St. Johnsbury, Windsor, Newport, Waterbury and Springfield. Applications for Correctional Officer I are accepted at anytime in order to maintain up-to-date lists of eligible candidates. The list will be used to fill permanent and temporary opening as they occur.

Please note: A Permanent Classified employee is full time with benefits. A Temporary employee does not recieve benefits and can not work more than 1520 hours per year. A temporary employee may very likely work 40 hours per week - but could work less. The amount of hours worked will vary from facility to facility, depending on current need. You are advised to consider temporary work, as most permanent classified employees were first temporary employees. By being open to a temporary position, your chances of a job offer are significantly increased. 

General Duties

Correctional duties involve the supervision, custody, treatment, and training of inmates confined in a correctional facility. Duties are performed under the supervision of higher ranking staff and in accordance with operated procedures of the assigned facility.

Essential Functions

Builds and maintains rapport with inmates.

Defuses disruptive behavior by verbal interventions.

Controls disruptive behavior by appropriate verbal orders and/or appropriate use of phsyical force.

Uses verbal and listening skills to determine potential inmate problems, such as suicide risk, intoxication, drug usage, assaultive behavior, etc.

Informs and explains institutional rules to inmates.

Communicates information regarding security, safety and operations through the chain of command.

Monitors inmates, watching closly for unusual behavior, improper conduct or signs of conflict.

Monitors visits between inmates and personal visitors.

Supervises periods of recreational activity.

Searches inmates, by pat or strip method, to detect and confiscate contraband or unapproved items.

Searches cells or living quarters, recreational areas, visiting areas and other areas in buildings or on the grounds for contraband and unapproved items.

Searches the perimeter of an area by making checks on foot, by car, or from a watchtower to ensure there are no security breaches or contraband.

Conducts security checks of locks, doors, bars and windows, etc.

Perpares inmates for transportation through search and application of appropriate restraining devices, depending on security level, and ensures all related materials to be transported with inmate are ready and in order.

Transports inmates outside the facility to and from court, lawyer's office, medical appointments, work sites, other facilities, etc.

Communicates with other staff and/or main control to inform about inmate behaviors, incidents and/or to request assistance.

Performs head counts to visually ensure the presence of all inmates.

Coordinates unit head counts to confirm total population.

Checks IDs to ensure only authorized persons enter or leave facility.

Processes new admissions and transfers.

Responds to emergency situations according to facility procedures, such as medical, fire, security, etc.

Writes narrative reports describing events that have happened, such as confidential reports, incident reports, disciplinary reports, special observation reports, etc.

Reads and writes short notes in a log book as a means of possing information about daily events from one shift to another, such as inventory logs, post logs, narrative logs, etc.

Uses protable two-way radio.

Opens and closes gates or doors to restricted areas to allow vehicles/people to enter and exit.

Issues logs and inventories facility keys.

Attends and participates in required training.

Reads policy and procedure manuals, directives and memos.

To Qualify

You must meet all of the following requirements:

• Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED certificate and two years full time work experience, military service or college training.
• Applicants must have a valid motor vehicle operator's liscense.
• Applicants must be able to safely and efficiently perform essential job functions. Physical demands include, but are not limited to, hearing for conversations and surveillance, vision for constant observation, continuous walking of cell blocks, standing for long periods, gripping with hands and fingers, and speaking clearly and audibly.
• Imporatant notice: Applicants must be able to don a self-contained breathing apparatus and perform evacuation procedures, potentially including search and rescue functions. More information about this requirement can be found here.
• Applicants will be subject to criminal and motor vehicle records checks. Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification. All information obtained in this process willl remain confidential to the extent required by law.
• Any falsification of application information may result in immediate disqualification from further employment consideration. Falsification discovered after appointment may result in immediate termination from employment.

Human Resources Development Unit

Vermont Department of Corrections

(802) 241-3399

103 South Main Street

Waterbury, VT 05671

The State of Vermont is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Discrimination based on age, sex, race, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, disabliing condition or any other nonmerit factor is prohibited.