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.

Hiring Incentives: Newly hired Corrections Officers may be eligible for hiring incentives up to $10,000, paid in installments as follows: $2,000 on the first paycheck and $8,000 upon successful completion of probation. Qualified lateral Corrections Officers may be eligible for incentives up to $25,000, paid as: $8,000 on the first paycheck, $8,500 upon successful completion of probation, and $8,500 after 3 years of employment

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

Compensation: 2025 Hourly wage range $34.60 to $46.40

THIS POSITION IS OPEN FOR CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT.

Qualifications

Mission Statement

The Clark County Jail Services Department is dedicated to protecting the community from the inside out. We accomplish this mission by providing a safe, secure, and humane environment for inmates while upholding the highest standards of public safety. We are committed to the professional development of our staff and fostering a work environment that is ethical, respectful, and inclusive.

Your Responsibilities

As a Corrections Officer, your duties will include:

• Providing intake and release services for inmates, including interviews to determine medical and other special needs, and processing booking information.

• Maintaining order and ensuring the security of the Clark County Main Jail and Jail Work Center by supervising inmate activities and movement.

• Conducting searches for contraband to maintain a safe environment.

• Responding to emergencies in accordance with established policies and procedures, demonstrating composure and quick decision-making.

• Preparing and transporting inmates for court appearances and other appointments.

• Enforcing rules and regulations within the jail facility.

• Monitoring inmate behavior through visual and electronic means.

• Conducting regular security checks, screening visitors, and performing headcounts and searches to prevent contraband.
• Instructing inmates on jail rules and procedures, addressing rule violations, and writing violation reports.

• 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 Details

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

2. Written Test: All candidates must complete a written exam (Written-Weighted 100%) (Written Exam scores of 70 or above are accepted)

Please Contact Recruitment Officer Kurt Hollopeter at Kurt.Hollopeter@clark.wa.gov to register for a free local test.

3. Physical Test: All candidates after successful completion of the written test will be invited to complete the Physical Ability test (P.A.T.).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

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 backgrounds

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

• 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 through 3 stages of the hiring and employment process. (1. After the initial written test as stated in the 3rd step of the process. 2. As part of the conditional offer and lastly 3. you will take the PAT as an entrance exam into the Corrections Academy )

• Polygraph Examination - based on your background investigation and personal history exam

• Psychological testing and exam

• Medical exam - Statement of Fitness and drug screen

Eligibility List - Your score is valid for 6 months after a successful background.