Sergeant

State of Oklahoma•Vinita, OK

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sergeant works at the Northeast Oklahoma Community Corrections Center in a leadership-level correctional security role. The position is responsible for maintaining the security, control, and custody of inmates in a state adult correctional facility. A Sergeant may serve as a team leader or lead worker and may provide training, assign work, and perform related duties. Depending on assignment, the role may involve independently performing a specialized function such as inmate public work crew officer, gun gang officer, K-9 unit officer, transportation officer, restricted housing unit officer, key and tool officer, control room officer, visiting room officer, gate officer, activities officer, hospital security post, or armory officer. The position requires knowledge of English usage, basic mathematics, report writing, firearms use and care, restraint and self-defense techniques, inmate discipline, and inmate behavior. The Sergeant must be able to evaluate situations, respond effectively to emergencies, follow instructions, prepare clear reports, communicate, maintain effective working relationships, remain proficient with firearms, and assess and manage conflicts among inmates. Applicants must meet statutory age, education, training, and experience requirements; complete required fitness evaluations and annual physicals; and hold a valid driver’s license at appointment. Applicants are subject to drug testing and must be willing and able to work any assigned shift or day of the week, including additional shifts as required. Some employees may be designated peace officers and must meet applicable training and screening requirements. Certain criminal convictions, legal restrictions, or a dishonorable military discharge make applicants ineligible. Some positions in this job family are designated safety sensitive. This is an onsite position and is not eligible for remote work.

Requirements

Meet the statutory minimum age of 20 years.
Possess 30 semester hours from an accredited college or university; or possess a high school diploma from an accredited high school or GED equivalent and graduate from a Department-conducted or approved training course certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training, either before employment or during the first six months of employment.
Have 24 months of experience in correctional or security work for a governmental agency or private corrections agency.
Satisfactorily complete minimum testing or professional evaluation through the Merit System of Personnel Administration to determine fitness for the position.
Satisfactorily complete an annual physical in keeping with the job conditions and Department guidelines.
Possess a valid driver’s license at the time of appointment.
Submit to drug testing.
Be willing and able to work any assigned shift or day of the week and additional shifts as required.
Have knowledge of English usage, basic math, report writing, firearms use and care, restraint methods, self-defense methods, inmate discipline, and inmate behavior psychology.
Be able to evaluate situations and choose effective actions, respond quickly and effectively to emergencies, follow oral and written instructions, gather and organize facts, write clear reports, communicate effectively, maintain working relationships, maintain firearms proficiency, and assess and manage inmate conflicts.
Meet applicable peace-officer training and screening requirements if designated as a peace officer.
Meet statutory eligibility restrictions concerning specified criminal convictions, sex-offender registration, domestic-violence convictions or court orders, and dishonorable military discharge, where applicable.

Responsibilities

Provide security and supervision to inmates in varied situations and activities, maintaining security of an assigned area or post.
Supervise inmate work crews, escort inmates to work sites, and inventory and control equipment, weapons, tools, and keys.
Patrol yards, grounds, cell houses, corridors, dormitories, and work areas on an assigned shift; observe inmate activities and movements and manage conduct, work, and discipline.
Maintain order and discipline during programs, meals, and recreation; inspect living areas, facilities, and work locations for unauthorized objects or materials; and report incidents.
Operate manually or electronically controlled security equipment to manage controlled movement of inmates, staff, and the public.
Conduct inmate counts and searches of inmates and living quarters for contraband, and enforce institutional rules and regulations.
Prepare written documentation and reports concerning inmate behavior, status, and movement.
Participate on escape and apprehension teams and respond to riots and fires.
Serve as a team leader or lead worker and potentially provide training, assign work, and perform related duties.
Perform a specialized correctional security function as assigned.