Corrections Officer Trainee - SCI Chester

THE POSITION

Are you looking for more than just a job, but the start of a successful career? If you have a strong dedication to public service and want to help keep the public safe, we encourage you to submit an application for the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Chester.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

The Corrections Officer Trainee participates in formal training sessions and on-the-job assignments to develop skills and techniques in the custody and supervision of inmates in a state correctional facility. Work is performed under the direct supervision of a corrections officer. Work in this position involves the care, custody, control, and non-professional counseling of inmates.

Duties and other information for this position include:

• Direct and indirect contact with inmates and visitors.

• Directing inmates and maintaining security in cellblocks, housing units, cottages, work areas, dining, and recreation areas, by monitoring the movement and activities of inmates.

• Observing inmates and inmate behavior by making periodic and unannounced rounds, head counts, and security checks, and reporting anything unusual to a corrections officer.

• Participating in formalized instruction in the areas of sociology, psychology, court procedures, self-defense, leadership, custodial responsibilities, and the facility's organizational structure.

• Providing advice and guidance in assisting inmates in their adjustment to and participating in correctional processes and the Department's rules and regulations.

• Prepare written reports.

• Respond to emergency situations.

• Uniforms provided.

• Full-time employment.

• Starting hourly rate is $21.45.

• Shift differential is up to $1.25 per hour.

• Eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55.

• This is a union position and is subject to the promotion provisions of a collective bargaining agreement or memorandum.

• Comprehensive benefits package, including health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.

• Benefits Information.

Successful candidates will work a 40-hour work week with shifts to be determined, attend and successfully pass a five week training program, work "locked inside" a facility unarmed and exposed to the danger of physical harm, accept the possibility that you may have to use physical force during inmate disturbances, work any shift and work in all areas of the institution as assigned, work overtime as required by operation necessities and emergencies, work on those weekends and holidays which occur during your normal work schedule, and report to work under adverse weather conditions.

INTERVIEW PROCESS:

Interviews for these vacancies are scheduled for the week of May 20, 2024. Please check your inbox and spam mail regularly as additional information regarding the interview process will be sent to the email address you utilized when applying for this vacancy. You must follow all instructions provided in notices to be considered for a vacancy.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.

• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require submission of criminal history reports.

• Candidates must successfully complete a background investigation, medical examination, psychological evaluation, and urinalysis screening for drugs.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).

• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.

• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).

• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.

• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.

• You must provide complete and accurate information or:

• your score may be lower than deserved.

• you may be disqualified.

You may only apply/test once for this posting.Your results will be provided via email.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning

We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance

We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture

We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks

Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

• Eligibility rules apply.

01

The question below will be used to ensure applicants are at least 18 years of age at the time of application. Your response to this optional question may also be used for data analytics purposes. What is your current age?

• Under 18
• 18 - 20
• 21 or older

02

CS-INSTRUCTIONS - SINGLE/DOUBLE FER, CERTIFICATION, ETC. You must complete the supplemental question(s) below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental question(s). Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score. All information you provide on your application and supplemental question(s) is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. Read the question(s) carefully. List the employer(s) from your Work sections of the application where you gained this experience. The option you choose must be clearly supported within the description of the experience information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.

If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.

If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our FAQ page.

• Yes

03

Do you possess six months or more of full-time experience in the care, custody, and control of inmates inside the perimeter of a county, state, federal, or military correctional facility?

• Yes

• No

04

If you indicated YES to the question above, please describe the details of the experience you possess. Please be sure to address the items listed below in your response. The claimed experience must also be provided within the experience section of your application. If you indicated NO to the question above, type N/A in the box below.

• The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.

• The specific duties you performed related to your experience with care, custody, and control of inmates inside the perimeter of a county, state, federal, or military correctional facility.

• Your level of responsibility.
  05

Do you possess six months or more of full-time experience in the care, custody, and control of court-adjudicated youth or convicted adults in a confined setting [Community Correction Center (CCC), halfway house]?

• Yes

• No

06

If you indicated YES to the question above, please describe the details of the experience you possess. Please be sure to address the items listed below in your response. The claimed experience must also be provided within the experience section of your application. If you indicated NO to the question above, type N/A in the box below.

• The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.

• The specific duties you performed related to your experience with care, custody, and control of court-adjudicated youth or convicted adults in a confined setting [Community Corrections Center (CCC), halfway house].

• Your level of responsibility.
  07

Do you possess six months or more of full-time experience working directly with/providing care for youths or adults in a mental health or state hospital facility?

• Yes

• No

08

If you indicated YES to the question above, please describe the details of the experience you possess. Please be sure to address the items listed below in your response. The claimed experience must also be provided within the experience section of your application. If you indicated NO to the question above, type N/A in the box below.

• The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.

• The specific duties you performed related to your experience working directly with/providing care for youths or adults in a mental health or state hospital facility.

• Your level of responsibility.
  09

Do you possess six months or more of full-time professional law enforcement experience with the power of arrest?

• Yes

• No

10

If you indicated YES to the question above, please describe the details of the experience you possess. Please be sure to address the items listed below in your response. The claimed experience must also be provided within the experience section of your application. If you indicated NO to the question above, type N/A in the box below.

• The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.

• The specific duties you performed related to your experience of full-time professional law enforcement experience with the power of arrest.

• Your level of responsibility.

Required Question

Agency Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Address 613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120

Website http://www.employment.pa.gov