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Correctional Officer

Sheriffs Merit Boardmid

Police OfficerSecurity & Protective Services

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Police OfficerSecurity & Protective Services

Job Code: 1360

Job Title: Correctional Officer

Salary Grade: CO1

Department: Cook County Department of Corrections

Characteristics of the Position

General Overview

Observes and supervises the behavior of individuals in custody confined to Cook County’s Correctional Institutions; enforces rules and regulations established for the maintenance of order, discipline and safety; makes rounds of assigned area to insure that all security procedures are adhered to and all individuals in custody under surveillance are accounted for; communicates with individuals in custody to ascertain attitudes, problems and rehabilitation; performs a variety of other related duties to assist with jail operations.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Makes rounds of assigned area to inspect conditions, the activity of the individuals in custody and to check for any unusual happenings; reports any abnormal occurrences to superiors.

Guard’s access and egress through gates leading to the receiving room, hospital, visitor’s area, vocational counseling rooms and main entrance(s) to the jail.

Inspects all vehicles entering or leaving the correctional institution for evidence of any suspicious passengers or materials; checks all visitors to determine presence of contraband items.

Supervises and checks the work of individuals in custody engaged in maintenance, custodial, laundry, tailoring and clerical tasks.

Performs guard duties in the receiving room through which all individuals in custody are received from local and federal police authority; insures that all security precautions are adhered to; keeps an orderly and regulated flow of individuals in custody into the institution.

Builds and maintains rapport with individuals in custody.

Diffuses disruptive behavior by verbal interventions; controls disruptive behavior by appropriate verbal orders and/ or appropriate use of physical force.

Uses verbal and listening skills to determine potential individual in custody problems, such as suicide risk, intoxication, drug usage, assaultive behavior, etc.

Informs and explains institutional rules to individuals in custody.

Communicates information regarding security, safety and operations through the chain of command.

Monitors individuals in custody, watching closely for unusual behavior, improper conduct or signs of conflict.

Monitors visits between individuals in custody and personal visitors.

Supervises periods of recreational activity.

Searches individuals in custody, by pat or strip method, to detect and confiscate contraband or unapproved items.

Searches cells or living quarters, recreational areas, visiting areas and other areas in buildings or on the grounds for contraband and unapproved items.

Searches the perimeter of an area by making checks on foot, by car, or from a watchtower to ensure there are no security breaches or contraband.

Conducts security checks of locks, doors, bars and windows, etc.

Prepares individuals in custody for transportation through search and application of appropriate restraining devices and ensures all related materials to be transported with individuals in custody are ready and in order.

Transports individuals in custody outside the facility, to and from court, lawyer’s visits, medical appointments, work sites, or other facilities, as required.

Communicates with other staff and/ or main control to inform about individuals in custody behaviors, incidents and/ or request assistance.

Performs head count to visually ensure the presence of all individuals in custody; coordinates unit head counts to confirm total populations.

Checks identification cards to ensure only authorized persons enter or leave facility.

Processes new admissions and transfers.

Responds to emergency situations according to facility procedures, such as medical, fire, security, etc.

Writes narrative reports describing events that have happened, such as confidential reports, incident reports, disciplinary reports, special observations reports, etc.

Reads and writes short notes in a log book as a means of posting information about daily events from one shift to another, such as inventory logs, post logs, narrative logs, etc.

Uses a portable, two-way radio.

Opens and closes gates or doors to restricted areas to allow vehicles/ people to enter and exit.

Issues logs and inventories facility keys.

Attends and participates in required roll call.

Attends and participates in required training.

Keeps current on policies, procedures, directives, and memoranda.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Considerable good judgment and initiative required at all times to assure prompt and thorough action during routine and emergency situations; ability to make sound judgments and decisions.

Thorough knowledge of institutional policies, rules and procedures, General Orders, Sheriff’s Orders and Policies and Procedures as prescribed by law and the Correctional Superintendent.

Ability to supervise and control individuals in custody, individually and in large groups/crews.

Ability to act promptly and thoroughly during routine and emergency situations.

Knowledge in the use of common office software, computers, Microsoft Word and applicable specialized law enforcement software, such as IMACS.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be a United States Citizen.

Must be seventeen (17) years of age or older at the time of application. Applicants may apply at 17 years of age, however; the applicant's file will not be reviewed by the Merit Board until the applicant has turned 18 years of age.

Possession of a High School Diploma OR a General Education Development (G.E.D.) test certificate.

Possession of a valid Driver’s License OR State Identification Card.

Possession of a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (F.O.I.D.) issued by the State of Illinois OR the ability to obtain a valid Firearms Owners Identification Card (F.O.I.D.).

Ability to work any shift assigned, including days, afternoons or midnights; capable of working holidays, weekends and mandatory overtime, as required.

Successfully pass a background investigation showing no felony convictions.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office prohibits all unlawful discrimination in its hiring and promotional process

EEO Statement

At the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, we value and embrace you. It’s our belief that diversity and inclusion is an essential component to our success as an organization. Accordingly, we are committed to provide a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office policy applies throughout the employment relationship—including recruitment, hiring, training, advancement, separation, and day-to-day practices. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office employment decisions will not be based on race, color and ancestry, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, family or parental status, disability, medical history, genetic information, or any basis prohibited by applicable law. Employment decisions will be based on an applicant’s merit and qualifications, the position requirements, and our business needs.

It is the policy of the Cook County Sheriff's Office to provide a drug-and alcohol-free workplace for all members.

It is imperative that all Sheriff's Office members are capable of devoting constant and uninterrupted attention to the performance of all assigned duties without risk to safety and security for themselves, other members, or the public. To ensure the goals of this policy are met, all Sheriff's Office members shall be subject to drug and alcohol testing, whether mandatory, random, or based on reasonable suspicion.

INCLUSION

We welcome you—the whole you. Your background, your culture, your ethnicity, your unique experiences, your way of looking at the world. We truly believe that your individuality helps us create a diverse, inclusive and inspired workplace in which every ethnicity, nationality, religion, elder status, family structure and gender identity is embraced and valued. We also welcome your passion for making the lives of children, your co-workers, and our organization better. Because as different as we are, that’s the common theme that will always keep us moving forward together. *Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. *This position requires successful completion of post-offer tests, which may include a background check, drug screen and/or medical examination. Falsification of any information in the application process will result in disqualification, dismissal after hire, and/or placement on the Cook County Sheriff’s Office Ineligible for Rehire List for a period of two (2) or five (5) years. For current Cook County Sheriff’s employees, such falsification may result in discipline, up to and including termination, and placement on the County’s Ineligible for Rehire List for a period of two (2) or five (5) years. See Cook County Code of Ordinances, Article II, Sections 44-54 Unlawful Practices Relating to Employees and Employment - Penalty, 44-56 Political Discrimination; Cook County Employment Plan, Section V.N. Pre-Interview License and Certification Verification; Supplemental Policy No. 2014-2.13 Ineligible for Rehire List; and Cook County Personnel Rules 3.3(b) (7) (8) (18).

THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER NOTE:

As an internal candidate, should you be offered the position, salary allocations shall abide by the Cook County Personnel Rules. “The Cook County Sheriff’s Office hiring process is governed by the Sheriffs Employment Action Manual (SEAM) which prohibits employment actions from being influenced by any Political Reasons or Factors for Non-Exempt Positions. The advertisement of this position by any individual does not constitute an offer or promise of employment, promotion, or any other employment action and shall not influence the Cook County Sheriff’s Office hiring decision. Cook County Sheriff’s officials and employees who become aware of or receive a complaint that involves an allegation of Political Reasons or Factors being considered in the hiring process of Non-Exempt positions are obligated to refer the complaint to the Cook County Compliance Officer. If the Cook County Compliance Officer sustains allegations of Political Reasons or Factors being considered, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office will disqualify the Applicant or Candidate from consideration for employment and disciplinary action will be imposed on any involved Cook County employees, if applicable.”