Careers

• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• At least 18 years of age (at time of appointment)
• Valid Arizona driver's license (at time of hire)
• United States citizen or Alien work permit
• Be of excellent character
• Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language
• If prior Military: Must have been honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces
• No felony convictions
• No unlawful use of a narcotic or dangerous drug within the past three (3) years
• No pattern of drug abuse
• Must be willing to work rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays

Physical Fitness Assessment

This test consists of five (5) individually administered tests. These tests were developed through an extensive examination and detailed job analysis and simulated actual job-related tasks for corrections officers. These tests are all judged as Pass/Fail.

• Push-ups: Perform as many push-ups as possible in 60 seconds (rest only in the up position).  Click here
• Sit-ups: Perform as many sit-ups as possible in 60 seconds (rest only in the up position.)  Click here
• 99-yard Obstacle Course: Run a 99-yard obstacle course consisting of several sharp turns, a number of curb height obstacles, and a 34-inch high obstacle that must be vaulted.  Click here
• Body Drag: Lift and drag 165-pound, lifelike dummy 32 feet.  Click here
• 500-yard Run: Run 500 yards (equivalent to one lap plus 60 yards of a standard running track).

Multiple Choice Test

The test has two parts - Knowledge of Basic Writing Concepts and Reading with Understanding.

Here are 2 reading comprehension practice quizzes with answer keys.

• Reading Comprehension Practice Quiz #1
• Reading Comprehension Practice Quiz #2

Oral Board Interview

Applicants will be scheduled for Oral Board Interviews, if the applicant successfully completes the Oral Board, there will be additional steps before a job offer is extended. These steps include:

• a Polygraph Examination
• an intense Background Investigation
• a File Review Board
  • The Review Board identifies applicants for hire contingent upon passing post-offer psychological testing and interviews, a medical examination to include drug screening and a final review of all steps in the hiring and selection process.
• Take a look at our oral board prep video. Click here.

Preference Points:

• Six-week (6) corrections academy, located in Tucson
  *Corrections recruits are required to supply certain clothing items for the academy at their own expense.
• Six-week (6) on-the-job Field Training Program
• Twelve-month (12) probation period, beginning at the start of the corrections academy

Job Description: Summary

This classification performs corrections work ensuring the welfare of adult inmates or direct remanded juvenile inmates, departmental and Superior Courts staff, and maintaining security, control, and custody in a functional unit in a direct supervision jail. It is distinguished from the Deputy Sheriff classification which is certified to exercise law enforcement powers.

In a direct supervision jail, corrections staff controls behavior of the jail population through a proactive concept based on direct inmate supervision. In this setting, inmates are given the responsibility to influence their treatment and privileges through control of their own behavior. This direct supervision approach is unlike the more traditional reactive containment approach which utilizes bars, security glass, and other barriers.

Duties and Responsibilities

(Work assignments may vary depending on the department's needs and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.)

• Maintains security of assigned facility by observing and controlling inmate behavior, enforcing discipline, and reporting observations;
• Inspects the living conditions within the housing units for compliance with sanitation objectives;
• Conducts checks of inmate housing and cell searches for inmate census and detection of contraband;
• Controls, operates, and inspects life safety equipment, electronic safety and surveillance equipment, and door control systems;
• Monitors visitors entering and exiting the facility;
• Performs booking, fingerprinting, identification, and records maintenance procedures;
• Participates in evacuation procedures and maintains security in emergency situations;
• Provides information to inmates and the public regarding Corrections Bureau rules and regulations;
• Maintains security of prisoners transported to the holding area in the Superior Courts building and provides a safe environment within courtrooms and surrounding areas;
• Provides escort services within the jail;
• Provides transport services and security of inmates to various locations within the State of Arizona;
• Physically restrains inmates with handcuffs, leg irons, and other appropriate restraint devices as needed;
• Carries and safely deploys department approved and issued firearms and other defensive weapons when so directed;
• Wears, carries, uses, and maintains respirators, protective masks, and other personal safety equipment;
• Testifies in court proceedings;
• Participates in the investigation and compilation of information regarding inmate grievances and hearings;
• Maintains appropriate security and confidentiality of all information and materials encountered in the performance of his/her duties;
• Assists in updating policies, operational procedures, programs, and statistical data;
• Provides information and tours for outside agencies and authorized visitors;
• Prepares lesson plans, instructs corrections officers, coordinates corrections training programs, and assists units with in-service training;
• May serve in specialized assignments, e.g., member of the Tactical Assistance Group, Fire-Life Safety Officer, etc...

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of:

• Principles and techniques of effective interpersonal communications;
• Spoken and written English language;
• The criminal justice system
• The rules, regulations, procedures, and policies of the Sheriff's Department and Corrections Bureau;
• The security practices and procedures used in a direct supervision jail;
• Varied social, economic, and cultural backgrounds;
• Report preparation, record keeping, and report writing;
• Legal rights and obligations of corrections inmates;
• Safe and lawful handling and use of department approved and issued firearms and defensive weapons.

Skill in:

• Maintaining security, control, and custody of inmates in an assigned facility;
• Responding to emergency situations quickly, calmly, and decisively;
• Observing situations and recalling facts;
• Interacting with people of varied social, economic, and cultural backgrounds;
• Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with others;
• Listening effectively;
• Maintaining records and preparing reports;
• Performing defensive tactics which require quick reflexes, agility, coordination, and strength;
• Safely and lawfully using of department approved and issued firearms and defensive weapons;
• Using and maintaining respirators, protective masks, and other personal protective equipment;
• Performing tasks requiring manual dexterity;
• Identifying normal and abnormal behavior patterns.

Essential Functions

Ability to:

• React to physical confrontations and emergency situations quickly and effectively;
• Stand and sit for long periods of time;
• Bend, reach, kneel, and crouch;
• Climb up and down stairs and ladders with speed and agility;
• Qualify with and safely use department approved and issued firearms and defensive weapons;
• Wear required uniform articles and protective equipment for extended periods of time;
• Work in confined spaces for prolonged periods;
• See clearly and recall visual details;
• Hear and understand speech and radio transmissions;
• Lift up to 50 pounds;
• Drag up to 175 pounds for 60 yards;
• Perform multiple physical tasks simultaneously;
• Drive vehicles, including automobiles and vans;
• Speak clearly.

Other Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
At the time of appointment, applicants must hold a high school diploma or General Education Development (G.E.D.) Certificate.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Possession of a valid Arizona Class D driver's license is required at the time of appointment. Current first-aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification (American Red Cross or equivalent) must be acquired prior to completion of initial training and must also be maintained as a condition of employment. Certification to wear and maintain respirators and protective masks and related personal protective equipment and department approved and issued defensive weapons is required of all positions.

Special notice items:
Department of Labor Regulation C.F.R. Part 1910.1030 requires notification that this category may have a high risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens. Hepatitis B vaccine, personal protective training and equipment will be provided. All positions require satisfactory completion of a background investigation due to the need for access to law enforcement, corrections and courts facilities, property, communications and associated confidential information, documents, databases, and evidentiary materials. Pre-/post-appointment drug screening and polygraph examinations are required of all positions due to the need for access as described above.

This class specification is intended to indicate the basic nature of positions allocated to the class and examples of typical duties that may be assigned. It does not imply that all positions within the class perform all of the duties listed, nor does it necessarily list all possible duties that may be assigned.

Pima County (Revised 11/29/00)
(Updated 02/24/03)
Modified 05/04/04 PCSD

Starting Salary:  Corrections Officer - $24.91

• Fifteen (15) vacation days per year (various increases per County schedule thereafter)
• Ten (10) paid holidays per year
• Paid days off in honor of Cesar Chavez and Juneteenth
• Fifteen (15) sick leave days per year
• Group insurance coverage (medical, dental, and life)
• 401A retirement plan
• Worker's Compensation
• $900.00 annual uniform allowance
• Leather and other uniform accessories provided
• Paid overtime
• Premium pay for shift work
• Deferred Compensation Programs (for investment and tax savings)
• Flexible spending accounts for child care, medical, and parking
• Free counseling for individuals and families
• Promotional opportunities
• Twenty-one (21) college credit hours (18 upon graduation from the academy and 3 upon completion of the CTO program)
• Tuition Reimbursement