Corrections Officer

Yakima County Department of Corrections: Corrections Officer Position

Note: Current Employees must use the Workday Job Hubs career section to apply for this position.

The Mission of Yakima County Government

The mission of Yakima County Government is to provide accessible, responsive and responsible public service through leadership and teamwork committed to understanding and meeting public needs.

Our Values

Our Values:

• Integrity
• Common Sense
• Innovation
• Accountability

Position Data:

• Corrections Officer-H
• Regular
• Non-Exempt (eligible for overtime)
• Pay Range: $32.97 - $41.90 per hour (DOC Officer Pay Plan, Step 1-7)
• Hiring Range: $32.97 - $37.97 (DOC Officer Pay Plan, Step 1-2 DOQ)
• Position Closes: This position is open until filled and will be reviewed at the end of each month. Please apply immediately!

Job Description:

There are several openings with Yakima County Department of Corrections to form a hiring list of eligible candidates for positions as Corrections Officers. This position is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of inmates at the Yakima County Department of Corrections. Gender-specific (female) hiring preference may apply to fill the Corrections Officer positions in order to create a safer booking process of same gender pat-downs, for minimum staffing levels and to comply with conventional standards of sexual privacy.

Selection Procedure:

Applications and required documentation will be accepted and reviewed at the end of each month. Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of past experience and training. Applicants claiming veteran's preference eligibility will be required to complete the Application for Veterans' Preference Form. Applicants must complete and submit below paperwork PRIOR to be considered.

Please submit:

• #1 Yakima County Application
• #2 Proof of U.S. Citizenship (Copy of Birth Certificate / Naturalization Paperwork/ Passport)
• #3 Proof of High School Education or GED (copy of HS diploma or GED or transcripts or copy of college transcript or college diploma)

Benefits:

Benefits included in position:

• Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life and Basic LTD)
• Retirement Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave

Note: This is a Teamsters Local #760 Contract Bargaining Union Position.

Recruitment and Hiring:

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies that occur within 90 days of the closing of this position. (This excludes Yakima County Sheriffs Office and Department of Corrections)

Responsibilities:

Essential Job Duties:

• General Function: Maintains the safety and security of inmates at the Yakima County Department of Corrections.
• Essential Job Functions:
• Receives and books incoming prisoners; Verifies that proper documents are submitted;
• Receives and safeguards inmate personal property and valuables;
• Searches prisoners for weapons and contraband using pat down, metal detector and/or strip procedures;
• Inspects for injuries;
• Fingerprints, photographs;
• Insures the location and wellness of inmates;
• Conducts periodic checks of floor and cells to verify the proper conduct of inmates;
• Searches cells for contraband materials;
• Moves inmates within the facility for visitation, exercise/recreation, court appearances, church services and school;
• Controls inmates through verbal communication and; in some situations, physical restraint;
• Responds to emergencies within the facility and may be called upon to administer first aid and evacuate inmates;
• Dispenses meals and retrieves meal trays accounting for all utensils;
• Prepares written, typed and/or computerized logs and reports;
• Administers the release of inmates.

Other Job Functions:

• Transports and guards inmates in non-secure areas for appointments, medical treatment, court appearances or assignment to other facilities;
• Oversees clean up of cell area by inmates;
• Oversees the work of inmate workers;
• Operates control room equipment;
• Orders and dispenses commissary items for inmates;
• Answers and forwards incoming calls;
• Distributes inmate mail, checking for contraband;
• Collects urine samples for drug testing;
• Other related duties as assigned.

Education & Experience:

High School Diploma or GED certificate AND any combination of experience and training which demonstrates the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. citizen and provide proof of citizenship (e.g. birth certificate, U.S. passport, Naturalization Papers);
• Successfully pass a background investigation, polygraph examination, pre-employment drug screen, psychological test and physical agility test prior to being hired and post-employment baseline physical exam;
• Within six months of employment must successfully complete the Correction Officer's academy;
• Within one year of employment must become weapons qualified;
• Must have a valid Washington State Driver's License;
• Minimum 21 years of age at time of employment;
• Work on a rotating shift basis is required to include nights, weekends and holidays.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual English/Spanish desirable, but not required.

Equipment Used:

• Metal detector
• Typewriter
• Computer
• Teletype
• Copy machine
• Camera
• Portable radio
• Fire extinguisher
• Self contained breathing apparatus
• Handcuffs
• Pepper spray canisters and "less than lethal" devices
• Video/audio recorder
• (Keyboarding)

Working Conditions:

Work is performed predominately indoors and includes long periods of both standing and sitting; Officers are exposed to inmates who may be verbally abusive and potentially physically violent; Officers may be required to use physical force on inmates/arrestees; Officers may come into contact with contagious diseases; Officers must be able to hear, speak, lift, sit, stand, walk, climb ladders and stairs, squat and kneel, bend, twist, turn, reach above head, and support up to 25 pounds.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software, databases, data entry (keyboarding);
• Working knowledge of criminal / court system;
• Knowledge of defensive tactics;
• Knowledge and use of personal protective equipment (respirators);
• Knowledge of inventory and accountability systems;
• Skills:
• Ability to work in a lock down environment for up to 12 hours at a time;
• Ability to learn and apply security regulations and inmate rules;
• Control and direct inmates individually and in groups;
• Recognize problems that should be brought to the attention of the supervisor;
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions;
• Ability to read, write, speak and comprehend the English language

Examination:

Qualified applicants will be required to pass a written examination. Only applicants passing the written examination with a 75% will be considered for the hiring list. Preference points will be added to passing written scores prior to the hiring list being formed as follows:

• Current Washington State Corrections Certification 5 points
• College - 1 point per 45 credit hours up to a maximum of 5 points
• Fluently bilingual in language of our largest ethnic minority jail population 5 points
• Successful Military Service - 1 point per year up to a maximum of 5 points
• Three years as a certified full-time corrections officer within 3 years 5 points

Preference points will only be awarded to those individuals who provide documentation with their application.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Yakima County ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of a person's age, color, creed, sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political belief, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and military status, or any other protected status under federal or state statute.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision:

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish the information.

Disabled Applicants:

Disabled applicants may request accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment. Please contact Human Resources for further information.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program:

Yakima County is a qualified Public Service entity for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service or contact your federal loan servicer.

Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986:

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Yakima County will hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States.

E-Verify Employer:

Yakima County is an E-Verify Employer.