Corrections Officer

Job Summary

Corrections Officers are responsible for the control, observation and supervision of inmates to ensure the maintenance of security, operational rules and policies of the Sherburne County Jail.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this position.  These duties are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required or assigned.

Qualification Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties and responsibilities.
 

• Oversee inmates during job assignments, meals, recreation, and visitation;
• Conduct inmate security checks, conduct searches of inmates and building areas;
• Explain inmate rules and maintain discipline; 
• Intervene in emergency situations such as fights, suicide attempts and medical emergencies; 
• Deliver inmate meals; 
• Administer medication and carry out treatment of medical issues including referring inmates to medical staff as necessary; 
• Secure inmate property; 
• Release inmates as appropriate; 
• Conduct head counts and supervise access; 
• Mitigate problems or disagreements between inmates; 
• Complete required forms and reports; 
• Assist with video visitation for inmates; 
• Occasional transportation of inmates; 
• Perform booking procedure when inmates arrive; 
• Develop and maintain respectful and cooperative working relationships; 
• Regular and reliable attendance according to the department's work schedule; 
• Other duties as assigned.

 

Minimum Qualifications

 

Both the Corrections Officer I and Corrections Officer II positions require the following:

• Valid MN driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.
• Must have excellent verbal communication skills, ability to hear normal range of radio and speech, and ability to visually observe persons and conditions. Must have ability to work independently, maintain a calm and professional manner at all times, and have the ability to physically restrain inmates if necessary.
   

An individual must meet the minimum qualifications as stated below to qualify for either the Corrections Officer I or Corrections Officer II position:

CORRECTIONS OFFICER I:

• High school diploma (or equivalent) and two years of full-time work experience in any occupation.
• 2024 Pay starts at $31.36 hour

CORRECTIONS OFFICER II:

• One year experience as a Correctional Officer I; OR
• Completion of two years of college or vocational technical course work in corrections, law enforcement, sociology, psychology or related social science field; OR
• Four years experience in one of the following areas (or an equivalent combination of education and experience):
  • Corrections, law enforcement or security
  • Active military duty with an honorable discharge
  • Social case work in a welfare agency or counseling in other types of organizations
  • Classroom teaching or instructing
  • Responsible rehabilitation work, e.g., in an alcoholic rehabilitation program
  • Supervised planned recreational activities or active participation in community action programs
  • Management or supervisory work in a business or other organization that included work flow and/or direct supervision of others
  • Persuasive sales work or commissioned sales work, other than taking and filing orders as in over-the-counter sales
• 2024 pay starts at $33.56/ hour

Note: Candidate will be hired as a Corrections Officer I or Corrections Officer II based off of interview, hiring process, and prior work experience. CO I can be promoted to a CO II after one year of service.

Note: If you are employed as a Correctional Officer with another agency, we may be able to offer a lateral move into a similar level of pay with necessary approval; this is done on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed for any candidate.

 

Supplemental Information

Work Eligibility:
Must be eligible to work in the United States. Any offer of employment will be contingent on successful completion of a pre-employment physical examination, psychological examination, and background investigation.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Must be able to stand and walk for long periods of time. Must be able to perform work typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling. May involve lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of heavy objects, materials and people (100 pounds).
• Must be able to use fine motor skills to manipulate small items like handcuffs, keys, keyboards, and other equipment.  
• Work is performed in a correctional facility supervising inmates incarcerated for committing criminal activities ranging from minor to major offenses (up to and inclusive of maximum security inmates). This position encounters physically threatening situations requiring grappling with and/or subduing inmates. 
• This position includes situations where Corrections Officers may be expected to promptly respond to incidents in other parts of the facility with runs of up to and including three hundred yards or more. 
• Environmental conditions include exposure to disagreeable odors and unpleasant items (body odor, dirty clothing, human feces), hazardous chemicals, communicable diseases (T.B., hepatitis, AIDS), mentally unstable individuals and individuals under the influence of controlled substances.

Correction Officer selection process:
Failure to successfully complete a step will disqualify your application and end the hiring process.

1. Initial Screening / Phone Interview 
   1. Averages 15-30 minutes 
2. Oral interview 
   1. Averages 20-45 minutes
   2. In-person or virtual offered
3. Background check including a criminal history check 
   1. Paperwork averages 1-5 hours to be completed accurately
   2. Must be completed within 7-10 days of when candidate receives packet (HR will notify candidate of due date)
   3. Background check process averages 2-6 weeks to be completed, once everything is turned in to the Sherburne County Sheriff's Office
4. Pre-employment physical/medical examination and drug test (time varies)
5. Psychological evaluation (time varies)

Interviews will be held approximately one day per week for the duration of this job posting. The entire hiring process typically averages between 60 and 70 days from beginning to end.

Upon job offer, candidates will be notified of shift and schedule they will be assigned to; candidates may not have a choice between options and will be required to work assignment.

Overview of shifts:

• 8-hour shifts:
  • 6am - 230pm or 2pm - 1030pm
  • 6 days working, 3 days off rotation
• 12-hour shifts:
  • 630am - 630pm or 630pm - 630am
  • 2 days working, 2 days off, 3 days working, 3 days off rotation
  • 5 days working, 2 days off, 2 days working, 5 days off rotation