CORRECTIONAL OFFICER (CANINE)

State of careers Rhode Island • Greendale, WI

8d • $73,650 - $110,758 • Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for the training and care of an assigned canine, maintaining institutional security including the perimeter of the State Correctional Institution. The role involves patrolling the outside perimeter in a vehicle and/or on foot with an assigned K9, conducting security checks of buildings, monitoring mass movements, controlling disruptive inmates, tracking and apprehending escapees, and monitoring yard/recreational activities to ensure all areas are secure. The officer will also monitor entrances, movement, and exits of visitors, contractors, and vendors. Responsibilities include the training, care, and feeding of the K-9, maintaining the kennel area, and managing supply inventory and equipment. The officer must monitor the daily health and welfare of the canine and assist other security sections during emergencies, shakedowns, crowd control, drug searches, inmate movement, and apprehension of escapees. Operational duties include using telephone systems, two-way radios, intercoms, alarm systems, closed-circuit TV systems, computer terminals, weapons, inmate control devices, drug detection equipment, and K-9 vehicles. The role also involves performing random and specific searches of offenders and visitors, searching offender housing, buildings, and property for contraband, maintaining control of keys and equipment, and performing inventory. The officer will brief supervisors and relay pertinent information to other staff. Duties include inspecting incoming mail, writing reports and observations, maintaining official logs, testifying at hearings and proceedings, and recommending offender actions. Attending training classes and seminars is also required.

Requirements

• Working knowledge of correctional security procedures and techniques, including perimeter surveillance.
• Working knowledge of facility and department rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of the techniques of first aid, self-defense, riot control, and use of firearms and other protective equipment.
• Working knowledge of training, handling, and care of K-9 dogs.
• Working knowledge of supply procedures for ordering supplies for kennels or equipment and for handlers.
• Working knowledge of first aid for humans and K-9 dogs.
• Skill in K-9 handling and operations.
• Skill in self-defense and use of restraint procedures.
• Skill in use of assigned weapons and other protective equipment.
• Ability to enforce correctional institutional rules and regulations.
• Ability to supervise the activities of inmates.
• Ability to maintain accurate logs and prepare reports.
• Ability to understand K-9 behavior.
• Ability to assist with disturbances and/or riots inside the institution.
• Ability to meet and deal effectively with others in resolving problems related to assigned functions.
• Capacity to observe the attitude and mental, physical, and other reactions of inmates.
• Comply with all Departmental policies, rules, and regulations.
• Graduation from a senior high school.
• Employment in work of a kind and level of a Correctional Officer in a State Correctional Institution and a familiarity with the training, handling, and care of dogs, or any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent.
• Successfully completed the nine-week correctional officer training program.
• Capable of performing (with or without reasonable accommodations) the essential duties as evidenced by a physician's certificate from a physician designated by the Department of Corrections.
• Evaluated and tested by a certified psychologist and receive a satisfactory rating.
• Possess a valid RI Driver’s License and maintain such licensure as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Minimum of 5 years of Correctional Officer experience.
• Updated weapons qualifications to handle assigned duty weapons.

Responsibilities

• Training and care of an assigned canine.
• Maintaining institutional security, including the perimeter.
• Patrolling the outside perimeter of an institution in a vehicle and/or on foot with an assigned K-9.
• Conducting security checks of buildings.
• Searching for drugs and contraband.
• Monitoring mass movements of inmates.
• Controlling disruptive inmates.
• Tracking and apprehending escapees.
• Monitoring yard/recreational activities to ensure areas are secure.
• Monitoring entrances, movement, and exits of visitors, contractors, and vendors.
• Training, care, and feeding of assigned K-9.
• Maintenance of the kennel area, including supply inventory and equipment.
• Monitoring the daily health and welfare of the canine.
• Assisting other security sections during emergencies, shakedowns, crowd control, drug searches, inmate movement, and apprehension of escapees.
• Operating telephone systems, two-way radios, intercoms, alarm systems, closed circuit TV systems, and computer terminals.
• Using weapons, inmate control devices, drug detection equipment, and K-9 vehicles.
• Performing random and specific searches and inspections of offenders and visitors.
• Searching offender housing, buildings, physical plant, supplies, and offenders' personal property to seize dangerous items, evidence, contraband, controlled or unauthorized substances.
• Maintaining proper use, control, and accountability of keys, tools, and equipment.
• Performing inventory, control, and accounting of offender personal and state property.
• Briefing supervisors and relieving staff regarding current issues/areas of concern.
• Performing inspection/search of incoming mail.
• Writing reports and observations pertaining to occurrences requiring supervisor action.
• Writing incident or disciplinary reports detailing incorrect offender behavior or violations.
• Maintaining official logs.
• Testifying at disciplinary hearings, classification committees, release hearings, and court proceedings.
• Recommending offender custody, work, training, or release actions.
• Attending training classes and seminars.

Benefits

• Information regarding benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees can be found on the Office of Employee Benefits' website.
• Direct deposit for all employees is required for hires after September 30, 2014.

What This Job Offers

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