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.

QualificationsMission 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. Please see the details below to learn more about the hiring process

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. Please see additional details below.

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

​

6. 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. (see Step 7 for conditions) It is important to note that your ranking may change daily. This is due in large part to exams being administered continuously with candidates merging on and off the lists regularly. The ranking also changes as a result of individuals being hired from the list or expiring off the list.

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

-Physical Ability Test -This test is administered a total of (3) three times during the hiring and employment process. (Testing cycle listed below)

• 1. After the initial written test, as stated in the 3rd step of the process listed above
• 2. As part of the conditional offer
• 3. As an entrance exam into the Corrections Academy after hire

-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.

Questions? Please Contact Recruitment Officer Kurt Hollopeter at Kurt.Hollopeter@clark.wa.gov or call 564-397-6043 to register for Testing.

Examples of Duties

• Book inmates into the jail.

• Conduct interviews to determine medical, other special needs, and acceptability to book into facility.

• Assist in entering booking information into the jail computer system; conduct personal (pat downs, strip searches), and property searches.

• Take fingerprints and prepare for submission to AFIS, WASIC, and FBI, photographs and other identification data.

• Release inmates at completion of sentence.  

• Supervise the activities of inmates within the jail housing areas and their movement from one area to another.

• Supervise and document food services.

• Maintain accurate jail population counts.

• Verify needs and make arrangements for medical and health care.

• Monitor use of prescribed medications; monitor recreational, educational, and visitation activities.

• Monitor visits and interviews with authorized persons;

• Answer phone calls and relate information to authorized persons.

• Supervise the preparation of inmates for transportation to courts and other inmate appointments.

• Conduct regular security checks; screen and search visitors.

• Conduct periodic headcounts and searches of inmates and the areas accessible to them to prevent the flow of contraband into the facility.

• Administer or arrange for breathalyzer or urinalysis to detect suspected drug or alcohol use.

• Instructs inmates on jail rules and procedures.

• Investigate suspected rule violations; take informal action to correct inmate behavior as appropriate; write violation reports and submit them to supervisor;

• Participate in inmate disciplinary proceedings as assigned.

• Maintain custody and control of inmates when confined to hospitals or other facilities as required; coordinate with various courts to ensure that inmates appear as scheduled for trial.

• Serve on various committees such as, training, safety, classification, wellness, wear and tear, affirmative action, equal employment opportunity, and others.

• May be assigned temporary assignment as training officer, or instructor positions.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Salary GradeCorrections Deputy.300A

Salary Range$37.78 - $46.98- per hour

Close DateOpen Until FilledEqual Opportunity Employer

Clark County is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, access, and delivery of all county services. Clark County’s Equal Employment Opportunity Plan is available at http://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources/documents.

Employee Benefits and additional compensation

Clark County provides regular full-time and part-time employees with a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, vision and dental insurance, paid leave, flexible spending accounts, life insurance and long-term disability, retirement, and deferred compensation.  Some types of employees in some positions and bargaining units might have different benefits and additional compensation.  More specific benefit information for the different bargaining units can be found at https://clark.wa.gov/human-resources/employee-benefits. Also please refer to the specific bargaining unit contract for additional compensation at https://clark.wa.gov/human-resources/documents.

Retirement Information

All Clark County employees must participate in a WASHINGTON STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM PLAN (PERS, PSERS or LEOFF).Employee contributions begin the first day of work. Current contribution rates vary by plan but could range from 5% to 15% of gross pay, depending on the plan choice. 
 

For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site here: http://www.drs.wa.gov/

If you are in need of ADA/Section 504 assistance for accommodations, please contact Human Resources at (564) 397-2456; Relay (800) 833-6388.