Corrections Officer - Experienced

Corrections Officer - Experienced

Salary

$47,652.80 - $68,744.00 Annually

Location

Buzz Westfall Justice Center - Clayton, MO

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

Corrections Officer

Department

Justice Services - Housing

Opening Date

07/30/2025

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Are you an experienced corrections professional ready to take the next step in your career? Do you thrive in environments where sound judgment, leadership, and integrity are essential?

At St. Louis County Justice Services, you will draw on your proven background in correctional operations and inmate supervision to help maintain safety, order, and accountability within the facility. Your experience will not only support daily operations but also position you as a mentor and leader for staff, guiding teams in best practices, professional development, and effective decision-making.

This role is vital to public safety and requires strong leadership, clear communication, and the ability to model the professionalism expected throughout the organization.

Why You Should Consider Continuing Your Career as a Corrections Officer With Us:

Pay: Pay is based on your experience within the corrections field. Additionally, possession of relevant certifications, specialized accreditations, current instructor credentials, and other qualifying achievements is highly valued and can lead to increased compensation.

Comprehensive Benefits: St. Louis County offers its employees a variety benefits to meet the needs of its diverse workforce including paid medical insurance, 20 days of PTO (paid time off) the first year and increasing with seniority, and 11-12 paid holidays, 480 hours of paid parental leave, and a robust Wellness Plan. Other benefits include: paid life insurance, credit union, 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, pre-tax premium pay plan, dependent care and medical expense reimbursement plans, and short and long term disability insurance.

Professional Growth: Expand your capabilities in leadership, crisis intervention, incident management, and facility operations through advanced training and career development pathways.

Job Stability: Reliable career path with opportunities for advancement within the field.

Impactful Work: You'll play a crucial role in the criminal justice system, contributing to public safety and the rehabilitation of individuals within the facility.

Team Environment: Work closely with dedicated professionals who share a commitment to maintaining safety and upholding justice.

Examples of Duties

Experienced Corrections Officers perform a wide range of essential duties, including:

Security Management: Monitor and control inmate activities while applying advanced operational knowledge to identify safety risks.

Inmate Supervision: Oversee and lead daily inmate routines, including meals, recreation, and work assignments. Model effective supervision techniques and mentor new officers on maintaining authority, structure, and professionalism.

Incident Response: Respond promptly and effectively to emergencies or disturbances, using your experience to assess situations, lead coordinated responses.

Documentation: Prepare accurate reports and logs related to inmate behavior, incidents, and daily operations. Offer support to junior staff on completing thorough documentation in accordance with facility requirements.

Communication: Interact professionally with inmates, staff, and visitors, demonstrating effective communication strategies. Serve as a resource for officers learning how to manage difficult conversations or resolve conflicts constructively.

Safety Protocols: Implement and model best-practice safety procedures to protect staff and inmates. Lead by example during drills, training, and daily operations..

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Previous experience as a corrections officer, with demonstrated ability to apply sound judgment and operational knowledge in a correctional environment, is required.
• Clear police record that is free of felony convictions. Misdemeanors have to be approved for hire by the Director of Justice Services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to leverage prior corrections experience to mentor and support less-experienced officers, model professionalism, and contribute to a culture of safety and accountability.
• Strong interpersonal and conflict-management skills with the ability to remain calm and decisive under stress.
• Proven capability to meet the physical demands of the position, including extensive standing, walking, stair climbing, operating emergency equipment, bending, stooping, and continuously wearing an equipment belt.
• Advanced observational awareness and the ability to detect potential disturbances through attentive listening, experience-based assessment, and situational judgment.
• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to coach others on documentation accuracy and report preparation.
• Ability to work mandatory overtime and any assigned shift, including weekends and holidays.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, with a demonstrated history of contributing to team success, modeling best practices, and supporting peer development.
• Some positions may require a valid drivers license.

Additional Information

SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT: A selection committee will evaluate the qualifications of each applicant which will include recentness and appropriateness of the applicants education and experience, answers to the supplemental questions, results of employment references investigated and any other appropriate information available. The selection committee will admit to the interview only those persons who possess the most job related qualifications and may establish admittance criteria beyond the minimum qualifications stated above.

Responses provided to the interview questions listed under the Supplemental Question heading of this posting will comprise 100% of the applicants earned grade. A candidate must earn a qualifying grade of 70 or more to be eligible for appointment. Those receiving a passing grade will be referred to the department for further evaluation.

Evaluations within the department will comprise of timed tests conducted at the Justice Center in Clayton on desktop computers. The first test will take approximately forty minutes and assess basic mathematic and grammatical skills as well as judgment as applicants are tasked with providing responses to short, scenario-based questions. The second test which also takes approximately forty minutes involves report writing in that applicants will be shown a short video (during which time they are allowed to take notes) then write a brief summary. Applicants who successfully complete these evaluations within the department will be interviewed by Justice Services staff at a later date and be subject to background screening prior to hire.

All applicants conditionally offered a merit position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Screening will be performed by a reputable clinical laboratory. The cost of screening will be covered by the County.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

HOW TO APPLY: Applicants interested in applying for this position should visit our website at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/stlouis. We only accept On-line applications.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY: The policy of the Civil Service Commission of St. Louis County is to support fair and equitable employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veterans status or political affiliation. Call the Division of Personnel at (314) 615-5429 for more information on this policy.

St. Louis County

Division of Personnel, 7th Floor

Clayton, MO 63105

(314) 615-5429

Relay MO 711 or 800-735-2966

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Fax: (314) 615-7703

www.stlouiscountymo.gov

St. Louis County offers its employees many excellent benefits with paid medical insurance, 20 days of PTO (paid time off) the first year and increasing with seniority, and 11-12 paid holidays. Employees hired for full time employment will participate in the St. Louis County retirement plan where they contribute 4% of their salary to the defined benefit plan with vesting after 7 years. Other benefits include: paid life insurance, a credit union, 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, pre-tax premium pay plan, dependent care and medical expense reimbursement plans, and short and long term disability insurance.

In addition to these benefits, as of January 1, 2023, St. Louis County approved up to 480 hours of paid parental leave for eligible employees welcoming new children, either by birth or adoption. The employee can also take up to 80 hours of leave for prenatal care and up to 80 hours for care of the child within the first year.

Please click https://stlouiscountymo.gov/saint-louis-county-missouri-careers/competitive-benefits/to view all of our benefits.

01

Prior to submitting your application for review, please ensure the information provided is thorough and up to date Also, please note that resumes are supplemental information only and will not be accepted in lieu of completed applications.

• I have read this information and ensured my application is up to date and reflects all relevant experience prior to submission.
• I have read this information and did not ensure my application is up to date and reflects all relevant experience.

02

Thanks for your interest in working with St. Louis County. We are interested in learning more about the skills and experience that you would bring to these roles. Please ensure that you provide complete responses to the following supplemental questions as they, as well as the information provided on your application, will be used to determine your overall eligibility for vacancies.

• I have read this information and understand my responses to the supplemental questions, as well as information provided on the application will be used to determine eligibility for vacancies. Ive ensured such information is thorough, descriptive, and up to date.
• I have read this information and understand my responses to the supplemental questions, as well as information provided on the application will be used to determine eligibility for vacancies. I have not ensured such information is thorough, descriptive, and up to date.

03

Do you possess a valid drivers license in the state where you currently reside?

• Yes
• No

04

What interests you about working in a corrections environment?

05

Discuss the specific skills and experiences you have that best suit you for this unique role.

06

Please provide any previous work experience you have had with St. Louis County Government including roles you held and the dates of employment. Further, please explain the reason(s) for your departure from the organization. If this does not apply to you, simply enter n/a.

07

Have you ever been employed by St. Louis County Justice Services?

• Yes
• No

08

If previously employed with St. Louis County Justice Services, were you terminated, released during your probationary period, or did you resign while results of termination proceedings were pending?

• Yes
• No
• Not a Previous Employee of Justice Services

09

If previously employed with Justice Services, did you receive disciplinary action or were you ever on a performance improvement plan related to unauthorized time off? Please note this does not include FMLA or other approved leave.

• Yes
• No
• Not a Previous Employee

10

Have you been convicted of a felony involving drugs, theft, or violence in the past five years?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer St. Louis County

Address 41 South Central

7th Floor

St. Louis, Missouri, 63105

Phone 314-615-5429

Website http://www.stlouiscountymo.gov