Correctional Officer (Berks County Jail System)

County of Berks • Leesport, PA

8h • Onsite

About The Position

The Correctional Officer controls and supervises inmates in open settings such as housing units, recreation areas, and work details, and in off-site settings such as transports and hospital duty. The role maintains physical security in the jail, provides inmates with direction, supervises visitors, and helps ensure daily operations run smoothly and on schedule. The position requires physical presence at a Berks County Jail System facility and may involve assignment to any facility, post, or position as needed.

The role involves working in a secure jail environment, including loud, small, and communal workspaces where personal safety may be a concern. Work may involve foul odors, extreme heat or cold, camera surveillance, and potential exposure to communicable diseases. Inmates may be incarcerated for violent crimes. The position requires work beyond eight hours per day and may require an additional eight-hour forced-overtime shift with little or no notice to maintain staffing. Officers must be able to work any shift, any day, including holidays and weekends, and complete the Correctional Officer Basic Orientation Training Program and required in-service training.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED equivalent from an accredited agency.
• At least 21 years of age, with consideration for applicants aged 18–20 based on maturity and documented work experience.
• No felony convictions or misdemeanors for job-related offenses; must not be serving probation or parole.
• Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Excellent oral and written communication, planning, decision-making, and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, demonstrate basic computer literacy, and interact appropriately with staff and inmates.
• Ability to handle stress and complete all pre-employment screenings.
• Must participate in and adhere to employee drug-testing procedures.
• Must not knowingly provide false or misleading information about duties, responsibilities, or actions, withhold information required to be reported, or falsify facility documents.
• Ability to handle and operate relevant security and safety equipment, including weapons/firearms, restraints, two-way radios, keys, and air packs.
• Ability to attend and successfully complete the Berks County Jail System Correctional Officer Basic Orientation Training Program and in-service training.
• Must qualify with all jail duty weapons and be certified in First Aid and CPR or successfully complete certification as part of training.
• Must be able to work any shift, any day, including holidays and traditional weekends, and work at assigned facilities and posts.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods, often more than three to four hours; walk at least one mile; traverse stairs up to four stories and climb ladders as required.
• Must be able to occasionally lift, carry, or assist another person in lifting or carrying more than 100 pounds for up to one-quarter mile.
• Must be able to exert physically in emergencies, including controlling or subduing a resisting inmate, and maintain stamina to manage daily stress.
• Must have vision correctable to 20/20 and natural or corrected hearing within the normal range; color blindness must not prevent effective job performance.
• Must be able to pull grill gates and doors weighing up to 30 pounds at least three times daily and regularly reach overhead at full arm’s length.
• Physical presence in the facility is required.

Responsibilities

• Observe, monitor, and supervise inmate movement.
• Ensure inmates comply with rules and regulations, addressing negative behavior through positive reinforcement or reporting violations in writing to a supervisor for disciplinary action.
• Search inmate cells and common areas for contraband.
• Prepare reports concerning inmate misconduct, security issues, and general information.
• Conduct accurate inmate counts at prescribed times.
• Maintain physical security, provide direction to inmates, supervise visitors, and support the smooth and timely operation of the facility.
• Work at any Berks County Jail System facility, post, or position as assigned and needed.
• Attend and successfully complete basic orientation and in-service training, and qualify with the jail’s duty weapons.
• Obtain or complete First Aid and CPR certification as required.

What This Job Offers

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