Corrections Officer - Entry Level - Jail Services

Corrections Officer - Entry Level - Jail Services

Job Summary

Join Our Team and Protect Our Community:

Are you seeking a career that truly matters, one where your dedication directly contributes to the safety and well-being of your community? Clark County Jail Services is dedicated to protecting our community from the inside out. As a Corrections Officer, you will be an essential member of our team, playing a vital role in maintaining a safe, secure, and humane environment within our facilities. This is more than just a job; it's an opportunity to serve your community, uphold the highest standards of public safety, and embark on a rewarding career path with opportunities for advancement.

Why Choose a Career with Clark County Jail Services?

Make a Difference: Contribute directly to the safety and well-being of your community.

Essential Role: Be part of an essential service that underpins the justice system. As a Corrections Officer, you are the backbone of our jail system, providing essential public safety services 24/7. You will be responsible for the supervision, custody, and care of inmates, ensuring the security and order of our facilities, and preventing disturbances and escapes. Your vigilance and professionalism directly contribute to the safety of our community.

Career Growth: Benefit from a career path with opportunities for advancement, including potential roles in training, specialized units, and leadership.

Comprehensive Benefits

• Enjoy a competitive salary and benefits package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance, paid leave, and a retirement savings plan.

• Education Incentives: Employees are eligible for education incentives on base wages after completing probation.

• Bilingual Incentives: Employees are eligible for bilingual pay premiums per pay period.

• Compensation: 2026 Hourly wage range $37.78 to $46.98

• This is an open and continuous recruitment.

Qualifications

• Mission Statement

• The mission of the Department of Jail Services is to promote and maintain public safety through effective correctional and reentry practices

Commitment to Professionalism and Reliability:

• To effectively serve our community and maintain the integrity of our operations, excellent attendance is paramount. As an essential employee, you will be expected to work as assigned, which includes weekends, holidays, and various shifts (day, swing, or grave) on a 12-hour schedule following a '4 on 4 off' rotation. The nature of our essential services requires flexibility in staffing, and while mandatory overtime may be necessary, there may also be opportunities for voluntary overtime.

• Ideal Candidate Profile

We are seeking dedicated individuals who are:

• At least 21 years of age

• United States citizens or legal permanent residents

• Possess a high school diploma or GED and a valid driver's license

• Have strong communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to work independently and as part of a team, and a physical fitness level sufficient to perform the duties of the job.

• Ideally, have experience in a security setting or military experience (this is a plus).

• Have a history of exceptional attendance.

• Meet the comprehensive background requirements outlined by Clark County Jail Services and the State of Washington.

• Essential Skills and Abilities

To excel in this demanding and rewarding role, candidates should possess the following essential skills and abilities:

• Communication: Strong and clear communication skills to effectively interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds and give clear and concise instructions.

• Problem-solving and Decision-Making: Proven ability to analyze situations, assess risks, and make sound decisions, such as quickly assessing conflicts and determining appropriate interventions.

• Personal Attributes:

• Ethical Conduct & Accountability: Adherence to high moral and ethical standards, taking ownership of actions and outcomes.

• Resilience and Composure: Ability to maintain composure in high-pressure environments and demonstrate maturity and self-awareness.

• Cultural Awareness & Empathy: Understanding and respecting diverse cultural backgrounds, displaying compassion and understanding.

• Growth Mindset & Officer Integrity: Demonstrated desire for continuous learning, understanding of Brady and Giglio rules and the importance of honesty and ethical conduct.

• Selection Process

• This is a continuous recruitment. We accept job applications throughout the year and create a competitive eligibility list that is valid for six months from the completion of a successful background check.

• Steps

• 1. Application: All candidates must submit a job application through this site
• 2. Physical Test: All candidates will be invited to complete the Physical Ability test (PAT). Candidates for the position of corrections officer must complete the PAT before they are eligible to interview.

Physical Ability Test Criteria:

• Push-Ups - 90 seconds total of 15

• Sit-Ups - 90 seconds total of 12

• Squat Thrusts - 3 minutes total of 25

• 3. Written Test: All candidates must complete a written exam administered by Jail Services Recruitment and Training Team (Written-Weighted 100%) (Written Exam scores of 70 or above are accepted)

• Please note that test scores from PST "Public Safety Testing", are not accepted. We will accept valid scores from NTN, National Testing Network, within a year of taking the test.

• 4. Panel Interview: All candidates must complete a panel interview to be considered for the Background Process. Candidates will receive an invitation to interview after successfully passing the PAT and written exams.
• 5. Background Process– All candidates who are selected in the panel interview to move forward to the background phase will be invited to begin a background investigation.

Background Investigation: This is the most detailed and lengthy part of the hiring process. The background investigation will consist of the following elements:

• Criminal history investigation

• Affiliations

• Personal and professional references

• Employment History

• Any prior applications to other criminal justice agencies

• Credit check

• Driver's record investigation

• Polygraph examination

• Psychological evaluation

• Medical examination

• Eligibility Requirements

• Upholding the Highest Standards

• Clark County Jail Services adheres to rigorous standards set by the State of Washington and the Criminal Justice Training Commission. As a condition of employment in this public-safety sensitive role, candidates must demonstrate sound judgement, integrity, and the ability to perform duties in a secure correctional environment. Background findings that are inconsistent with these requirements may be considered in determining suitability. All determinations will be made through an individualized assessment consistent with these standards.

Disqualifying Factors:

• Any Felony Convictions (regardless of status)

• Domestic Violence Charges

• Failure to pass the background investigation

• Failure to pass the polygraph examination

• Failure to pass a psychological evaluation

• Failure to pass a medical exam

• Failure to pass drug screening

• Eligibility List

• If your background investigation determined you met the minimum qualification for the eligibility list, your written test, panel interview score, and background submission grading score will be combined into an overall score. You will then be placed on a candidate eligibility list according to your score. As vacancies become available the candidates with the highest ranked score on the eligibility list may receive a conditional offer of employment.

Conditional Offer: Offers of employment are contingent on passing the following exams:

• Physical Ability Test

• Polygraph Examination - based on your background investigation and personal history exam

• Psychological Fitness Assessment

• Statement of Fitness (Completed by Candidate's Provider)

• Drug screen

• Eligibility List - Your score is valid for 6 months after a successful background.

Upcoming test dates:

• In-house testing sessions are held every second Saturday of the month from 8:30 am to 11:30 am.

• Testing Location

• Jail Work Center

• Vancouver

• Reserve your spot today!

• Testing consists of a video-based written exam and a physical ability test. Both tests are required for individuals entering a career in public safety.

• Candidates who successfully complete both the written and physical ability tests are eligible to move to the next phase of consideration for employment.