Lateral Corrections Officer - Jail Services

Job Summary Are you an experienced Corrections Officer looking for a dynamic new opportunity?

Clark County Jail Services is seeking dedicated lateral candidates to join our team and play a crucial role in maintaining the safety and security of our community from the inside.

As a Lateral Corrections Officer, you bring valuable experience and existing certification, allowing for an expedited path to serving Clark County. You will be responsible for the around-the-clock operation of the jail, working various shifts (day, swing, grave), including weekends and holidays, on a '4 on 4 off' 12-hour schedule.

If you're committed to public service, possess a strong ethical compass, and are ready to leverage your experience in a rewarding environment, we invite you to apply!

What is a Lateral Corrections Officer?
A Lateral Corrections Officer is an individual who has:

Successfully completed a recognized state or local government basic corrections academy.
Current or recent experience as a certified corrections officer in a comparable county, municipal, or state agency in the United States.

The ability to gain Washington State certification through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) Equivalency Academy process.
This role allows you to bypass foundational training and integrate more quickly into our operations, bringing your skills and knowledge to our team.

Why Choose a Career with Clark County Jail Services?

Make a Difference: Your experience will directly contribute to the safety and well-being of your community.

Leverage Your Expertise: As a lateral officer, your existing skills are valued and essential to our mission.

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, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, retirement (Washington State Retirement System Plan), and deferred compensation.

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

Compensation: 2026 Hourly wage range $37.78 to $46.98

This recruitment is open and continuous.

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

Qualifications

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. 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 for Lateral Officers We are seeking dedicated and experienced individuals who meet the following qualifications:

• At least twenty-one (21) years of age.

• United States Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident required.

• High school diploma or a GED certification.

• Valid driver's license at time of appointment.

• Experience: Two to three years of corrections experience in a comparable county, municipal, or state agency in the United States.

• Certification:

  • Successful completion of a basic corrections academy in Washington or another state.

  • Currently certified as a Corrections Officer, or whose certification has lapsed for not more than 60 months but more than 24 months due to a break in service. (Individuals whose certification has been revoked or suspended are not eligible ).

Equivalency Process:

• Must provide a syllabus of the academy completed and a copy of the certificate of completion from the academy attended with the application.

• Must have the ability to successfully complete the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission’s Equivalency Academy within six (6) months of hire as a condition of employment.

• Have no prior felony convictions and/or recent or excessive drug usage history.

• Candidates must not have any active Internal Affairs investigations pending at the time of application or throughout the hiring process. Furthermore, applicants must not have separated from any previous law enforcement or corrections agency while an Internal Affairs investigation was in progress or to avoid an impending Internal Affairs investigation.

• Ineligibility for employment includes being named on any prosecutorial impeachment disclosure list (commonly known as a Brady or Giglio list), as confirmed through mandatory inquiries with relevant prosecuting authorities.

• Solid writing skills and basic report preparation.

• Strong communication skills, mediation, and problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and use a computer with knowledge of various software applications.

• Ability to successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation and a qualifying physical ability test.

• Knowledge of principles, techniques, and procedures associated with incarceration and dealing effectively with incarcerated individuals; federal, state, and local laws relative to inmate housing and treatment.

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.

• Personal Attributes:

• Ethical Conduct & Accountability: Adherence to high moral and ethical standards; takes ownership of actions.

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

• Cultural Awareness & Empathy: Understanding and respecting diverse cultural backgrounds; displays compassion.

• Growth Mindset & Officer Integrity: Demonstrated desire for continuous learning; understanding 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 6 months from completion of a successful background. Please see the details below to learn more about the hiring process

1. Application: All candidates must submit a job application through this site

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

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 with the panel after testing is completed and the panel is available.

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. The background submission is a graded component, and the grading rubric will be sent with the initial invitation to begin the background

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

• Drivers record investigation

• Polygraph examination

• Psychological evaluation

• Medical examination

Eligibility Requirements

Upholding the Highest Standards

As a potential member of the Jail Services Department, you will play a critical role in upholding public safety and trust. This position demands integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to ethical conduct. Clark County Jail Services adheres to rigorous standards set by the State of Washington and the Criminal Justice Training Commission.

Disqualifying Factors:

• Any Felony Convictions (regardless of status)

• Domestic Violence Charges

• Manufacturing/Distribution of Illegal Drugs

• Reckless/Negligent/DUI within the last 3 years

• Illegal Drug Use within the last 3 years

• Dishonorable Military Discharge or Failure to Register for Selective Service

• Discharge from a Criminal Justice Agency related to honesty

• Affiliation with Gangs or Extremist Groups

• Recent Patterns of Behavior Eroding Public Trust

• Unsatisfactory Employment History including attendance issues

• Falsifying Application or Personal History Information

• Unsatisfactory Personal or Professional References

• 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.

Understanding the Equivalency Process (WAC 139-05-210). As a lateral candidate from another state or with specific Washington certifications, you will typically need to complete the Washington State CJTC Equivalency Academy.

• Purpose: To ensure your out-of-state or prior training meets Washington State standards and to grant you Washington State Corrections Officer certification.

• Eligibility: Generally includes currently certified corrections officers from another state, or Washington-certified corrections officers whose certification has lapsed due to a break in service (more than 24 months but less than 60 months).

• Timeline: You must attend an equivalency academy within six months of hire.

• Process: Involves submission of documentation (as listed in the "Ideal Candidate" and "Selection Process" sections) and successful completion of all knowledge and skills requirements within the equivalency academy.

Examples of Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• 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.