CORRECTION OFFICER RECRUIT
 
 DEFINITION

 Under immediate supervision of a supervisory officer within the
 Department of Corrections, receives in residence and on-the-job training 
 including instructions for the appropriate care and custody of a designated
 group of inmates, and does work which will provide practical custody
 experience; does related work as required.

 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 trainee and productive worker:

 Attends a (12) twelve week in-residence trainee program
 and an additional two (2) weeks on the job training at an assigned
 correctional facility; is responsible for learning the various rules, regulations,
 policies, procedures, operational processes, and methods related to a
 correctional institution.

 Assists in performing assigned 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.

 Assists in patrolling assigned areas of the buildings and grounds and
 makes required reports by telephone, punch clock, or other means;
 makes periodic counts of inmates; reports the whereabouts of absent
 inmates.

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

 Reports violations of prison rules to supervisory officials.

 Assists in the maintenance of discipline in the prison cells,
 recreation yards, schools, hospitals, theaters, churches, mess halls,
 shops, farms, and other places where inmates are gathered in groups.

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

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

 Escorts the inmates to and from their quarters.

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

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

 Assists in escorting inmates when their presence is required in a
 court of law, which requires the issuance and carrying of a firearm.

 When assigned to medical facilities, guards civilian employees in the
 performance of their duties.

 When assigned to sentry duty, observes everything significant that
 takes place within sight and hearing of the post, reports unusual
 events to supervisory personnel, and prevents disorders and escapes.
 Such duty requires the carrying of a firearm issued by the
 institution.

 When assigned to farming work, is responsible for the custody of
 inmates involved in the various types of farm work.

 When assigned to institutional camps or any other outside detail or as
 assigned, is responsible for the safe care and custody of all assigned
 inmates.

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

 Assists in performing investigations and prepares detailed, cohesive
 reports.

 Ensures inmate rights are not violated.

 May be required to appear as a witness in courts of law.

 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 (l8) years of age.

 CITIZENSHIP

 United States citizenship.

 NOTE: At the time of appointment applicants for this
 position must submit acceptable proof of meeting the indicated
 requirements.

 NOTE: Appointees will be required to satisfactorily complete
 a twelve (12) week in residence training program as well as a two 
 (2) week on the job training program.  Appointees will be required to 
 successfully complete a twelve (12) month Correction Office Recruit
 working test period.  Such training includes successful attainment of 
 a level of proficiency in the use of firearms.

 SPECIAL NOTE: Candidates certified from the eligible list for this title
 will be required to undergo medical and psychological examinations
 administered by the appointing authority.

 LICENSE:

 Appointees must possess driver's license valid in New Jersey.

 NOTE:  The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required
 motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type of vehicles they
 operate, 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 inmates 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 the essential functions of the job after reasonable
 accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation
 cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship,
 such persons may not be eligible.

 ADVANCEMENT

 Upon the successful completion of the (l2) twelve-month recruit
 working test period, appointees will be advanced to the title of 
 Senior Correction Officer. (The inability of an employee to satisfactorily 
 complete the working test period, will be cause for separation.)

 This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
Job
Spec
Code
Variant
State,
Local or
Common
Class of
Service
Work
Week
State
Class
Code
Local
Class
Code
Salary
Range
Note
32641
S
C
40
99
N/A
L99
-

This job specification is for state government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.

MER   02/13/2010