Correction Officer - PCI

State of Ohio • Orient, OH

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Correction Officer maintains institutional control and helps ensure the safety and security of the facility, incarcerated individuals, staff, and the public by enforcing rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. The officer supervises and directs inmate activity in assigned areas, keeps those areas clean and secure, operates security controls and equipment, and may operate vehicles for perimeter security or inmate transportation. Duties also include counts, security rounds, searches, reports, and committee service. Officers work to prevent escapes and security incidents and, when necessary, may use physical force, unarmed self-defense, firearms, or other force to detain or secure inmates.

This is a permanent, full-time classified position with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction at the Pickaway Correctional Institution in Orient, Ohio. Work hours vary. Newly hired officers start at $24.88 per hour and advance to $25.61 per hour after six months of employment. Employees working second or third shift earn an additional $0.60 per hour. The position has a 365-day probationary period.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED and pass the correction officer assessment, unless they completed it within the past 24 months or are current department employees previously certified as correction officers. A valid driver’s license is required for positions assigned to the transportation section; a commercial driver’s license is required when operating vehicles that qualify as commercial. Final applicants must pass a pre-employment drug test and background investigation. The department is a tobacco-free and drug-free workplace, and marijuana use is prohibited under the stated workplace policy and firearm-related regulations.

Eligible state employees may receive medical coverage; free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after the eligibility period; paid vacation, personal and sick leave, and 11 paid holidays; childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave; education and development opportunities; participation in public retirement systems; and optional deferred compensation. Benefits eligibility depends on applicable factors.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Successfully pass the correction officer assessment, have completed it within the past 24 months, or be a current Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction employee previously certified as a correction officer.
• Valid driver’s license for positions assigned to the transportation section; a commercial driver’s license is required to drive vehicles qualifying as commercial.
• Pass a pre-employment drug test and criminal background investigation.
• Meet applicable eligibility restrictions, including restrictions concerning weapons disabilities, specified sexual abuse or sexual misconduct, terrorism-related convictions, and certain felony convictions with a direct correlation to the position.
• Complete a 365-day probationary period.

Responsibilities

• Maintain institutional control and protect the safety and security of the facility, inmates, staff, and the public by enforcing rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Supervise and direct inmate activity in assigned areas of the facility or institution.
• Ensure assigned areas are clean, safe, and secure.
• Monitor and operate security controls, equipment, and computers.
• Operate vehicles for perimeter security and inmate transportation.
• Conduct inmate counts, security rounds, and searches.
• Complete required reports and serve on committees.
• Prevent escapes and incidents that threaten security.
• When necessary, use physical force, unarmed self-defense, firearms, or other force to detain or secure inmates.

Benefits

• Medical coverage for eligible employees.
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after completion of the eligibility period.
• Paid vacation, personal leave, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year.
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave.
• Education and development opportunities, including Employee Development Funds and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Public retirement systems, including OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS.
• Optional deferred compensation through Ohio Deferred Compensation.
• Additional $0.60 per hour for working second or third shift.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED