Correctional Officer, Grade C3

Correctional Officer One-Day Processing Event for qualified applicants on October 2, 2023 and October 23, 2023. The event time and date will be offered on a first come, first serve basis.

Qualified applicants will have the opportunity to complete the entry-level exam and oral board interview in less than 4 hours. Applicants who successfully pass these two steps of the process will receive a contingent job offer.

About the Department:

The Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (DOCR) is responsible for the intake, reception and diagnostic functions including law enforcement processing of adult male and female offenders arrested in Montgomery County. Responsibility also includes the custody and care of male and female offenders who are either in a pre-trial status or serving sentences of up to 18 months. Progressive and comprehensive correctional services and programs are provided to all inmates covering substance abuse treatment, mental health issues, cognitive behavioral modification programs, education, life skills, and workforce development.

A Correctional Officer is responsible for providing security, custody, care, order and discipline for a segment of the inmate population.

What you’ll be doing:

• Working in direct supervision posts within inmate housing units with a Field Training Officer and more senior Officers during your first year (work location assignment can be at Rockville or Boyds/Clarksburg).
• Learning on-the-job by receiving substantial training and instruction in the application of basic safety and security policies, procedures, and methods with regard to interaction with and supervision of the inmate population; use of equipment, application of post instructions, and implementation of general standard operating procedures.
• Enforcing clearly defined institutional rules and procedures by performing tasks such as providing input into the daily log, escorting inmates, issuing clothing and bedding, completing routine intake paperwork, conducting perimeter checks of the fence line, etc.
• Reporting activities/situations that are unusual or irregular and those situations where guidance is needed in order to make the appropriate response or take the appropriate action.
• May participate in the processing of arrestees in the Central Processing Unit; as directed and under close supervision, performs such tasks as taking photographs and fingerprints of criminal arrestees, escorting defendants to and from hearings before the District Court Commissioners, and recording hearing and disposition information.
• Opportunities to participate in special assignments that can provide additional experience and career growth after meeting requirements which include Instructor, Accreditation and Compliance Officer, Emergency Response Team, Field Training Officer, Central Control Team, Workcrew and more.

A Correctional Officer candidate should be able to:

• Acquire knowledge of the rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to those posts and basic principles to working within a correctional environment with direct supervision of inmates.
• Exercise good judgement in controlling offenders individually and in groups.
• Prepare brief written reports summarizing facts related to inmate actions.
• Deal tactfully, effectively, and equitably with people.
• Work during a period of general emergency, liberal leave or inclement weather as an essential employee.
• Successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation, an interview, psychological evaluation, medical examination and drug/alcohol screen.
• Acquire Correctional Officer certification within the first year of the probationary period from the State of Maryland after attending the academy. Candidates who obtained MPCTC Correctional Officer certification within the last three (3) years will not need to attend the State Academy.

Selection Process:

Step 1: Online Application

Step 2: Entry-Level Exam and Oral Board Interview (4 hours or less)

• Exam consists of multiple-choice questions and a written portion. Level of difficulty is based on a High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• Three (3) panel board members will conduct the interview
• Applicants must pass both portions to continue to next step

Step 3: Conditional Job Offer

• Applicants who successfully complete the above step will be extended a contingent offer of employment

Step 4: Background Investigation

• In-depth interview of applicant
• Review of employment history, criminal and traffic records, drug history, military records (if applicable), etc.

Step 5: Medical and Psychological Evaluation

• Physical Abilities Test
• Grip Strength – 80lbs or 50% of bodyweight (each hand)
• Standing long jump – 73 inches
• Pushups – 17 continuous pushups on palm and toes
• Bent knee sit-ups – 34 continuous
• Ability to hold shotgun in correct stance for one (1) minute
• Comprehensive physical exam will require additional medical requirements to include a psychological evaluation

*The process takes approximately 30 – 90 days and is dependent on the applicants’ ability to meet scheduled appointments, provide necessary information, and pass all required components.

Salary Chart*:

New Recruit Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Base Salary $54,090 $56,495 $61,542

*Based on current salary matrix. Does not include additional benefits that may include roll call pay, shift and multilingual differentials.

Note:

Applicants are encouraged to carefully read substance abuse disqualification for this position prior to applying. Please copy and paste the following link into a new window to view and read this information:

http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/comarhtml/12/12.10.01.22.htm

Competitive Benefits

A competitive benefits package is provided (copy and paste this link into new window, and click on Total Rewards tab to view):

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HR/Recruitment/MCGCareers.html/

Correctional Officers may also receive the following:

• special pay differentials
• roll call pay
• multilingual pay after certification
• Public Safety Retirement Plan (Employees' Retirement System, Group EK)
• Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) programs

*If the successful candidate(s) is an internal employee, retirement plan coverage will be determined when the job offer is made.

Prior to a promotional appointment within DOCR, the selected individual must answer the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) questions and submit to a criminal history to comply with the Prevention Planning on Hiring and Promotion Decisions (115.17, 115.117, 115.217, 115.317). This is a requirement to meet Federal law and audit standards.

OHR reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position/IRC.

Montgomery County Government is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email to OHR@montgomerycountymd.gov . Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.

Montgomery County Government also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, please refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference .

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for interview.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Montgomery County Ethics Law : Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code . Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.

Experience: One (1) year of post High School full-time work experience or its equivalent.

Education: Completion of high school or High School Certificate of completion recognized in the State of Maryland.

Equivalency : Successful completion of one (1) year or more of college (full-time student status) may be substituted for the one (1) year of post High School fulltime work experience. Excess work experience beyond the one (1) year requirement may not be substituted for the requirement of Completion of high school or High School Certificate of completion recognized in the State of Maryland.

License : Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver's license from the applicant's state of residence.

Citizenship and Age: Individuals appointed to this position must be at least eighteen (18) years of age on the date of appointment and be either a citizen of the United States or a resident alien.

There are no preferred criteria for this position. All candidates must submit a resume online.