Correctional Officer II

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Middleton, MA

118d

About The Position

The Correctional Officer II maintains order and security at the Essex County Correctional Facility and provides care and custody for detained or sentenced inmates. The role involves ensuring compliance with established policies and procedures; supervising inmate occupational, vocational, recreational, and work activities; patrolling facilities; observing inmate conduct; investigating suspicious activity; and performing related duties. The position may involve somewhat undesirable working conditions, intermittent moderate physical effort, and a potential risk of injury associated with working with inmates. Incumbents hold the sworn office of Correctional Officer. The position works under the direct supervision of senior correction officers or higher-ranking correctional employees, who provide instruction and guidance, assign work, and review performance. The officer also exercises direct supervision over correctional officers and other personnel on behalf of the immediate supervisor, and oversees inmates assigned to work crews.

Requirements

Be at least 19 years of age.
Have a high school diploma or GED certificate.
Successfully pass an extensive personal interview and background check.
Qualify in all phases of testing: written, medical, physical, and psychological.
Have no felony conviction and must not have served a sentence in a jail or house of correction.
Have some knowledge of correctional procedures.
Possess a current and valid Massachusetts Class 3 Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
Maintain regular and predictable work attendance.
Remain calm, make decisions, and act quickly in emergency and dangerous situations, and adapt to varying work situations.
Interact effectively with people under physical or emotional stress and establish rapport with people from different ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds.
Motivate others and understand, explain, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing assigned unit activities.
Maintain accurate records and follow fairly complex written and oral instructions.
Lift or carry an inmate or fellow officer when needed.
Stand and walk for prolonged periods and possess reasonable physical stamina and endurance.
Prepare reports; analyze data and determine its applicability; draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
Determine the proper format and procedure for assembling information.

Responsibilities

Maintain custodial care and control of inmates by escorting them under restraint and conducting facility patrols, periodic rounds, head counts, and security checks.
Monitor inmate movements and whereabouts.
Supervise and direct inmates during work assignments to maintain order and security.
Observe inmate conduct and behavioral patterns to help prevent disturbances, violence, escapes, and other crises.
Search individuals, packages, mail, and inmate quarters for contraband, weapons, and other prohibited items, and investigate suspicious activity.
Refer inmates to appropriate supportive services, including medical, psychiatric, and vocational services, as needed.
Prepare written reports concerning fires, disturbances, accidents, security breaches, and other occurrences.
Record unit activities in daily logs and review activity reports to maintain accurate, current information.
Screen visitors and perform related duties, including operating two-way radios and serving food to inmates.
Assist with transporting inmates outside the facility.
Prepare disciplinary, informational, and confidential reports.
Use physical force lawfully and in accordance with department policies and procedures to maintain or restore order.
Carry and use firearms safely and lawfully when authorized.
Assign work to and review the performance of correctional officers and other personnel on behalf of the immediate supervisor.
Oversee the activities of inmates assigned to work crews.