Correctional Officer

Correctional Officer Position

This Correctional Officer 1 (CSM) position is assigned to work at a Close or Special Mission Prison. A Correctional Officer often must do things that many people would find unpleasant either physically or mentally. In the past, many people have taken the job of Correctional Officer without considering the requirements of the job. Below is a list of requirements that Correctional Officers must be willing to do on the job. CAREFULLY consider whether YOU are willing to do EVERYTHING listed, if offered a job as a Correctional Officer. For each job requirement on the list, please make a note of the tasks you are willing to do and a note of the ones you are not willing to do.

Are you willing to :

• Work any shift(s) to include nights, days, weekends and holidays?
• Work every weekend, with your regular off days during the week?
• Work all holidays (Christmas, MLK. Jr. Day, etc.) which are not on your regular off day?
• Work more than scheduled hours to include extra shifts?
• Wear a uniform to work each day?
• Follow a dress code, which includes restrictions on hair length and facial hair?
• Be fingerprinted and have your background checked through the FBI and other law enforcement agencies during pre-employment screening and at any time during employment?
• Provide a Driver's History for the past seven years at your own expense?
• Have a urine test to screen for use of illegal drugs both before and after being hired, with the understanding that any positive findings will result in adverse action?
• Have a physical examination by a physician, at your own expense, if offered employment?
• Work in areas where you are in close contact with prisoners who are sick and may have contagious diseases?
• Work in a locked area with prisoners who are guilty of violent crimes (murder, rape, etc.) and / or who may be mentally ill?
• Give first aid, including CPR, to prisoners who injured or seriously ill (HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis, etc.)?
• Work in a situation where you are cursed and / or physically threatened by prisoners?
• Maintain your professional composure if bodily fluids were thrown on you?
• Search (pat frisk) people, regardless of their sex, for things they are not allowed to have; and visually search (strip search) the body cavities of prisoners the same sex as you for prohibited items?
• Live for five (5) weeks, away from home, paid by the state, while attending training, returning home only on weekends?
• Use firearms, including shooting an escaping prisoner (possibly to death), if necessary?
• Risk your personal safety to rescue a fellow Correctional Officer or a prisoner from attack?
• Report a fellow law enforcement officer who is breaking rules and regulations?

IF YOU ANSWERED "NO" TO ANY QUESTION, YOU CANNOT BE CONSIDERED FOR A JOB AS A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER AND THE SELECTION PROCESS WILL NOT CONTINUE. A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER MUST BE WILLING TO DO ALL OF THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB. Minimum Qualification : High school diploma or GED AND any combination of training and experience which would enable the applicant to meet the minimum standards of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.). Preferred Qualification : Preference will be given to applicants who are 21 years of age or older. Preference will be given to applicants who, in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, possess one or more of the following : 1. One year of full-time experience as a uniformed officer in a correctional setting. 2. Completion of at least an associate's degree in criminal justice, psychology, sociology, or a directly related field. Location Name : Valdosta State Prison