Correctional Officer (Berks County Jail System)

County of Berks • Leesport, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

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. Maintains physical security in the jail, provides direction to inmates, supervises visitors, and helps ensure daily operations run smoothly and on time. The role requires working at any Berks County Jail System facility, shift, day, post, or position as assigned. Physical presence at the facility is required, and the position may involve work beyond eight hours and forced overtime with little or no notice. The work takes place in a secure jail and may involve loud, small, communal workspaces; safety risks; foul odors; extreme temperatures; cameras; and exposure to communicable diseases and inmates incarcerated for violent crimes.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED equivalent from an accredited agency.
• At least 21 years of age; applicants aged 18–20 may be considered based on maturity and documented work experience.
• No felony convictions or misdemeanors for job-related offenses.
• Not presently serving probation or parole.
• Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, planning, decision-making, and organizational skills.
• Participate in and adhere to employee drug-testing procedures.
• Provide truthful and complete information about duties, responsibilities, and actions, and not falsify facility documents.
• Ability to complete all pre-employment screenings.
• Ability to handle and operate relevant security and safety equipment, including weapons/firearms, restraints, two-way radios, keys, and air packs.
• Demonstrate acceptable interpersonal communication skills with staff and inmates.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English orally and in writing, and demonstrate basic computer literacy.
• Ability to attend and successfully complete the Berks County Jail System Correctional Officer Basic Orientation Training Program and required in-service training.
• Qualify with all jail duty weapons.
• Be certified in First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation or successfully complete certification as part of training.
• Ability to work any shift, any day, including holidays and traditional weekends.
• Ability to handle stress; physical presence in the facility is required.
• Ability to stand for extended periods, often more than 3–4 hours; walk at least one mile; and traverse stairs up to four stories and climb ladders as needed.
• Ability to lift, carry, or assist another person in lifting or carrying more than 100 pounds occasionally, for up to one-quarter mile.
• Ability to exert physical effort at any time in emergencies or when controlling or subduing a resisting inmate.
• Ability to handle and operate relevant security, safety, maintenance, and other equipment, including firearms, restraints, keys, radios, telephones, computers, copiers, air packs, and vehicles.
• Vision correctable to 20/20 and natural or corrected hearing within the normal range; color blindness must not prevent effective performance of job duties.
• Ability 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.
• Stamina to avoid health-related issues and ability to deal with daily stress.

Responsibilities

• Observe, monitor, and supervise inmate movement.
• Ensure inmates comply with rules and regulations by 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 on inmate misconduct, security issues, and general information.
• Conduct accurate inmate counts at prescribed times to ensure all inmates are accounted for.
• Maintain physical security, provide direction to inmates, supervise visitors, and help daily operations run smoothly and on time.
• Work at any Berks County Jail System facility, post, or position as assigned and needed.
• Attend and successfully complete required orientation and in-service training, and qualify with the jail’s duty weapons.
• Obtain or complete First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation certification as part of training, if not already certified.

What This Job Offers

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