The posting
Discover Your Future with Opportunity Central!
Job Description Summary:
By projecting strong leadership, clear communication and the highest level of professionalism, Corrections Officers play a crucial role in protecting our community.
In this role, you will strengthen and showcase a wide range of skills while ensuring safety, security, and order within the correctional facility. Experienced professionals can leverage their background in correctional operations and inmate supervision to foster accountability, guide effective decision-making, and serve as mentors who help shape the next generation of corrections staff. Your experience, commitment, and leadership can truly influence the culture and success of the organization.
Ready to make an impact? Your next career step starts here.
Job Description:
Why You Should Consider a Career as a Corrections Officer with St. Louis County:
Starting Salary: Pay is based on experience within the corrections field. Additionally, possession of relevant certifications, specialized accreditations, current instructor credentials, and other qualifying achievements is highly valued and can lead to increased compensation. Starting base pay for new officers is $22.03 hourly ($45.822.40 annually). The range for experienced officers is between $22.03-$33.05 hourly. In addition, there is a 10% differential paid for working evening or night shifts.
Comprehensive Benefits: St. Louis County offers its employees a variety benefits to meet the needs of its diverse workforce including paid medical insurance, 20 days of PTO (paid time off) the first year and increasing with seniority, and 11-12 paid holidays, 480 hours of paid parental leave, and a robust Wellness Plan. Other benefits include paid life insurance, credit union, 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, pre-tax premium pay plan, dependent care and medical expense reimbursement plans, and short- and long-term disability insurance.
Professional Growth: Expand your capabilities in leadership, crisis intervention, incident management, and facility operations through advanced training and career development pathways.
Job Stability: Reliable career path with opportunities for advancement within the field.
Community Contribution: By helping to maintain order and security, you contribute to the betterment of society and support efforts to rehabilitate individuals and reduce recidivism.
Varied Experience: Each day presents new challenges and situations, ensuring a dynamic and engaging work environment.
Key Responsibilities:
Security Management:
- Monitor and control inmate activities while applying advanced operational knowledge to identify safety risks.
Inmate Supervision:
- Oversee and lead daily inmate routines, including meals, recreation, and work assignments.
- Model effective supervision techniques and mentor new officers on maintaining authority, structure, and professionalism.
Incident Response:
- Respond promptly and effectively to emergencies or disturbances, using your experience to assess situations, lead coordinated responses.
Documentation:
- Prepare accurate reports and logs related to inmate behavior, incidents, and daily operations.
- Offer support to junior staff on completing thorough documentation in accordance with facility requirements.
Communication:
- Interact professionally with inmates, staff, and visitors, demonstrating effective communication strategies.
- Serve as a resource for officers learning how to manage difficult conversations or resolve conflicts constructively.
Safety Protocols:
- Implement and model best-practice safety procedures to protect staff and inmates.
- Lead by example during drills, training, and daily operations.
Minimum Qualifications:
High School diploma or GED equivalent required.
Valid driver's license
Clear police record that is free of felony convictions. Misdemeanors have to be approved for hire by the Director of Justice Services.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to leverage prior corrections experience to mentor and support less-experienced officers, model professionalism, and contribute to a culture of safety and accountability.
- Strong interpersonal and conflict-management skills with the ability to remain calm and decisive under stress.
- Proven capability to meet the physical demands of the position, including extensive standing, walking, stairclimbing, operating emergency equipment, bending, stooping, and continuously wearing an equipment belt.
- Advanced observational awareness and the ability to detect potential disturbances through attentive listening, experience-based assessment, and situational judgment.
- Strong written communication skills, including the ability to coach others on documentation accuracy and report preparation.
- Ability to work mandatory overtime and any assigned shift, including weekends and holidays.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, with a demonstrated history of contributing to team success, modeling best practices, and supporting peer development.
- Some positions may require a valid driver's license.
Pre-Employment Process Requirements:
Applicants will be evaluated based on relevant education, experience, responses to supplemental questions, and other work-related information provided on the application. Resumes are supplementary and do not replace the required application.
All candidates will receive notifications regarding application status once determined. Status updates are provided via email and can be found within each candidate’s Workday profile.
Responses that qualified candidates provide to the application questions will count as 100% of their final evaluation score. A candidate must earn a qualifying grade of 70 or more on the interview to be eligible for appointment. The five highest-ranking candidates will be referred to the Department Director/Appointing Authority for final selection.
Pre-Employment Screening:
Candidates extended a conditional offer must successfully complete all required pre‑employment screenings. These screenings include a drug test administered at no cost to the applicant by a certified laboratory and a background check evaluating the recency and relevance of the candidate’s history to the position. Candidates must complete the drug test within 48 hours of receiving a conditional offer; failure to do so may result in withdrawal of the offer.
At St. Louis County, we're not just about jobs, we're about opportunity.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
St. Louis County is committed to fair and equitable employment opportunities for all, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, or political affiliation.
St. Louis County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for the application or hiring process should contact the St. Louis County ADA Coordinator at 314-615-1796 or call Relay MO at 711 or 1-800-735-2966 (TTY) or email [email protected].
