CORRECTION OFFICER APPRENTICE

DEFINITION

Under immediate supervision of a training officer or a supervisory 
officer in the Department of Corrections, as a student, attends an 
in-residence course of study for Correction Officers approved by the 
NJ Police Training Commission at the Corrections Staff Training 
Academy or other designated approved academy and a non-residential 
period of on-site training at an assigned correctional facility; performs 
other related work as required as an apprentice and productive worker.

NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes 
only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties
listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on 
the job may not be listed.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

As a student:

As an apprentice and productive worker, observes and participates in 
activities associated with the care and custody of inmates and clients 
and does work which will provide a working knowledge of and 
preparedness for practical custody experience.

Attends classes and seminars designed to address principles of 
inmate and client supervision practices and other law enforcement 
activities in accord with New Jersey Statutes and regulations.

Observes and learns the proper procedures so that he/she may 
exercise all powers and rights of enforcement to function as a 
law enforcement officer for the detection, apprehension, arrest 
and prosecution of offenders against the law, once he/she 
becomes a sworn officer.

During the period of on-site training, as an apprentice and productive 
worker, assists Senior Correction Officers or other custody staff in the 
performance of their assigned duties and receives on-the-job training 
and instruction in the proper methods and practices for monitoring 
inmate and client activities, and learns other aspects of job.

Learns the proper usage, security, integrity, and care for carrying 
firearms and the responsibility of maintaining firearms and other 
restraints and defense equipment while performing assigned duties.

Attends a training program to learn various law enforcement practices, 
instructions, and qualifications in the use and maintenance of firearms, 
physical preparedness, self-defense, report preparation, surveillance 
and detection techniques, laws, applicable regulations, practices and 
procedures for arrest and apprehension of violators. 

Learns to perform custodial duties in accordance with established 
policies, regulations, and procedures in such a manner as to encourage
and assist persons deprived of their liberty toward complete social 
rehabilitation.

Attends training in the proper method and procedures to be used in 
patrolling assigned areas of the buildings and grounds and making 
required reports by telephone, punch clock, or other means; making 
periodic counts of inmates and clients; reporting the whereabouts 
of absent inmates and  clients.

Learns to assist in controlling the general conduct and behavior of 
inmates and clients in accordance with established institution 
procedures and prevents disturbances and attempts to escape.

As an apprentice and productive worker, observes and participates in 
various classification and selection committees processes and related 
principles and practices associated with these forums. 

Learns the proper methods of reporting violations of prison rules to 
supervisory officials.

Attends training in the proper procedures and methods to be used in 
the maintenance of discipline in the prison cells, recreation yards, 
schools, hospitals, theaters, churches, mess halls, shops, farms, and 
other places where inmates and clients are gathered in groups.

Learns to assist in assuring that contraband articles are not concealed 
on the bodies of the inmates and clients or in any part of the institution, 
and that institution property and equipment is kept in clean, safe, 
and orderly condition.

Attends training in the making of periodic inspections of the locks, 
window bars, grills, doors, and gates, and any other places of possible 
egress from the institution.

Learns the proper procedures to be used in escorting inmate and 
client movements. 

Attends training on making note of suspicious persons and conditions 
and taking appropriate measures in reporting significant actions, 
occurrences, and conditions in the buildings and on the grounds; 
reporting conditions constituting dangers and hazards and taking 
those steps necessary to assure safe and orderly conditions.

Attends demonstrations of the proper methods of utilizing available 
institution equipment and accessories.

Learns the proper procedure to be used in escorting inmates and 
clients when their presence is required in a court of law, which 
requires the issuance and carrying of a firearm.

Learns the proper procedures to be used when assigned to medical 
facilities, to ensure the safety and security of departmental and non-
departmental personnel in the performance of their duties.

Learns the proper procedures to be used when assigned to sentry duty, 
to observe everything significant that takes place within sight and 
hearing of the post, to report unusual events to supervisory personnel, 
and to prevent disorders and escapes.

Receives training in the preparation of reports and in keeping records.

Learns how to recognize and rapidly evaluate potentially dangerous 
situations involving inmates and clients.

Learns to exercise caution and good judgment in handling 
circumstances to restore order, avoid personal injury or to prevent 
endangerment to the general public and/or serious property damage. 

Learns how to identify and properly deal with security violations and 
the enforcement of appropriate sanctions.

Learns the practices and procedures for monitoring specific enforcement 
programs.

Learns how to prepare incident reports of inmate and client violations 
and procedures of reporting such incidents and the investigations 
required to prepare reports and recommendations thereof.

Learns to prepare and compose correspondence, memorandums, 
reports and other communications.  

Learns how to act as a witness and testify before formal hearings, 
Grand Juries, Courts of Law, administrative hearings, or other judicial 
bodies.

Learns procedures on how to convey information to inmates and 
clients and their relatives who are not knowledgeable of the English 
language.

Learns how to maintain essential records and the security of confidential 
records and files.

Learns how to utilize various types of video, audio, electronic 
communications, photographic, and computer information systems 
and other various recording equipment, devices and manual recordings 
used by the agency, institutions, facilities, or related components.  

Observes and learns to be of assistance in performing investigations 
and in preparing detailed, cohesive reports.

Attends training designed to ensure that inmate and client rights 
are not violated.

Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or 
manual recording and computerized information system used by 
the agency, office, or related units.

REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION:

High School Diploma or its equivalent.

AGE:

Minimum of eighteen (18) years of age.

Where hiring preferences apply, appointments must meet the residency
requirements of the jurisdiction as of the filing date, and up to and 
including the date of appointment.

Appointees must be eligible to possess a firearm in accordance with 
State and federal laws.

CITIZENSHIP

United States citizenship.

NOTE:  Prior to appointment, applicants for this position must submit 
acceptable proof of meeting the indicated requirements.

NOTE:  Appointees will be required to satisfactorily complete a Police 
Training Commission approved Corrections Academy program which 
includes successful attainment of a satisfactory level of proficiency in 
the use of firearms, and a period of on-the-job training at an assigned 
correctional facility; and will be responsible for learning the various 
rules, regulations, policies, procedures, operational processes, and 
methods related to a correctional institution. 

Appointees will be required to successfully complete a twelve (12) 
month Correction Office Recruit working test period commencing 
upon advancement to the title Correction Officer Recruit. 

SPECIAL NOTE:  Candidates certified from the eligible list for this title 
will be required to undergo a thorough background check, including 
driving record, criminal history, psychological, and medical testing.  
Candidates will be required to provide a urine sample for drug testing.

SPECIAL NOTE:  Testing for unlawful drug use may be administered 
at random during the training program.  Test results showing the use 
of such drugs shall be considered a cause for separation from 
employment.

LICENSE:

Candidates will be required to possess a driver¿s license valid in 
New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee 
mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position. 

TRAINING

All selected candidates will be required to successfully complete the 
New Jersey Police Training Commission course standards in arrest, 
apprehension, investigations, inmate supervision, and other related 
law enforcement requirements. Such training shall also include 
firearms training and the ability to qualify and successfully attain the 
required level of proficiency and the ability to re-qualify with firearms 
on a semi-annual basis is required.

Candidates accepting employment are required to adhere to the 
employment restrictions that they do not pursue outside gainful 
employment unless approved by the Commissioner, Department 
of Corrections or appropriate designee.

Candidates may be required during the working test period to obtain 
a required motor vehicle license commensurate with the class and 
types of vehicles to be operated. Verification of such license rests 
with the Appointing Authority. 

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of the problems likely to be encountered in work involving 
the social rehabilitation, care, and custody of persons deprived of their 
liberty after a period of training.

Knowledge of the methods likely to be useful in working in an effective 
manner with persons of varied types, abilities, and personalities after 
a period of training.

Knowledge of the problems, procedures, and methods involved in taking 
suitable action concerning suspicious persons and conditions and in 
reporting significant occurrences and conditions after a period of training.

Ability to understand the problems involved in assimilating factual 
matters of a technical nature and in comprehending and utilizing essential 
facts presented by lectures and/or demonstrations and of applying technical 
and factual data in a useful manner in every day work in an institution.

Ability to understand what types of difficulties may be encountered in 
closely following prescribed rules and regulations.

Ability to gain and maintain proficiency in the use of firearms includes 
hand-held and shoulder-held weapons.

Ability to understand, remember, and carry out oral and written 
directions and to learn quickly from oral, written explanations and 
from demonstrations.

Ability to analyze custodial problems, organize assigned custodial work, 
and develop effective work methods.

Ability to recognize significant conditions and to take proper action when
action is called for in accordance with prescribed procedures.

Ability to understand, as far as is possible, the emotional adjustment 
and other problems of deprived of their liberty.

Ability to deal firmly and effectively with varied types of persons within 
the framework of established policy and procedures.

Ability to perform repetitive work without loss of equanimity, patience, 
or courtesy, to remain calm and decisive in emergency situations, and 
to retain emotional stability.

Ability to assimilate information and profit by department training 
programs.

Ability to give clear, accurate, and explicit directions and to follow 
prescribed procedures.

Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate and informative reports of 
significant conditions and actions taken.

Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual 
recording and information systems used by the agency, office, 
or related units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English 
sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.  American Sign 
Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms 
of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long
as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without
reasonable accommodation.  If the accommodation cannot be 
made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, 
such persons may not be eligible.

ADVANCEMENT

Appointee's work performance will be reviewed and rated during the 
specified period of training for the apprenticeship program as approved 
by the Police Training Commission. Upon successful completion of the 
apprenticeship program, appointees will be eligible for advancement to 
the title of Correction Officer Recruit, in accordance with Civil Service 
Commission Regulations. 

The inability of an employee in the Apprentice title to satisfactorily 
complete the training period and/or attain a level of performance 
warranting advancement to the title of Correction Officer Recruit, 
shall be considered a cause for separation from employment.

CODES:    99/X99-32650               MER                     03/27/2010