Correctional Officer III - Lewis

Arizona Department of Administration • Buckeye, AZ

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Correctional Officer III serves as a classifications specialist for an adult or minor institution, including reception institutions. Under general supervision from a Correctional Officer IV or Correctional Administrator, the role evaluates inmates’ custody and internal risk factors and recommends prison placement. The position also supports classification, treatment, rehabilitation, and reentry activities while helping ensure inmates’ due-process rights are protected.

The role manages operational caseloads and inmate records, including compiling criminal histories and court documents, interviewing inmates, reviewing classification cases, and maintaining records in the Arizona Correctional Information System (ACIS). It may also coordinate specialty releases, including Interstate Compact, sex offender, direct-release probation, transition-program, and clemency releases. Individual positions may perform some or all listed duties and other related work.

Work conditions include shift work, extended periods of sitting, extensive reading and writing, some light lifting with occasional heavy demands, and possible exposure to hazards associated with the security and guidance of inmates.

Requirements

• For applicants who are not Arizona Department of Corrections employees: a bachelor’s degree or higher in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Public Administration, Business Administration, Behavioral Health, or Sociology.
• For internal applicants: must have passed probation as a Correctional Lieutenant with the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry by the announcement close date; upload an approved Promotions Certificate and meet eligibility requirements.
• Knowledge of social or correctional casework and facilitation; classification, treatment, custody, and parole; interpersonal communication, human behavior, crisis intervention, and the Inmate Classification System.
• Knowledge of case-history and record-keeping methods, institutional security and discipline, recreation and activity methods, and applicable federal, state, and agency laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to apply correctional casework, interpersonal relationship, rehabilitation, crisis-intervention, classification, security, and discipline methods.
• Ability to develop and implement recreation and activities; communicate verbally and in writing; apply laws and procedures governing inmates; provide timely guidance and crisis intervention; assist inmates with personal, educational, and career goals; and prepare and maintain records.

Responsibilities

• Schedule meetings with inmates as needed; evaluate and recommend classification reviews; and make recommendations on inmate classification and changes while protecting due-process rights.
• Coordinate, recommend, and facilitate recreation, self-improvement, and correctional programs supporting inmate care and rehabilitation.
• Conduct reentry activities to help transition inmates from prison to the community; review and recommend in-prison treatment, educational, and parole programs.
• Document inmate issues, progress, and history; maintain case logs and ACIS records; and review and prepare inmate work-history summaries.
• Receive, compile, and summarize inmates’ criminal histories, court documents, and relevant information in ACIS and other designated locations.
• Interview inmates to review information and gather additional details about offenses, behavior, placement restrictions or precautions, and PREA-related matters.
• Review cases submitted to Central Classification to ensure required actions have been completed and serve as the institutional point of contact and subject-matter expert for specialty releases.
• For Interstate Compact and sex offender releases, compile documents from Correctional Officer IIIs, verify accuracy, make corrections, submit materials, and track progress.
• Work with unit Correctional Officer IIIs on release-process questions and respond to family members inquiring about transfer status.
• Perform related work as required.

Benefits

• Vacation and sick days with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid parental leave of up to 12 weeks per year for a newborn or newly placed foster or adopted child (pilot program)
• Medical, dental, life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance options
• Retirement program
• Optional deferred compensation plans
• Credit union membership
• Wellness program
• Incentivized commuter club
• Public transportation subsidy program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior