Corrections Officer (Entry Level)

Puyallup, WA
Puyallup Police Department

Salary: $64,970.40 – $86,575.44 Annually.

Position Summary:

Corrections Officers are responsible for prisoner processing and detention. Work involves performing a variety of duties related to the effective operation of the city jail and providing court room security as an armed court bailiff. Primary responsibility is for processing prisoners into jail, ensuring their safekeeping while in jail, in transit, or in court and processing out of jail. Work requires a considerable amount of contact with prisoners with medical, mental health, and developmentally disability issues who may use abusive language or become violent; with citizens in explaining provisions of ordinances and in writing citations for violations of ordinances. Error in work can result in being assaulted by prisoners, prisoners escaping or not being given medications as instructed, or in improper citation of citizens. Work is performed in the jail or outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and requires the safe operation of a van or automobile.

Essential Functions:

  • Receives prisoners from arresting officers and books prisoners into the jail facility, takes pictures, takes fingerprints, and completes a variety of records; searches prisoners (same or opposite gender); inventories and secures prisoner’s property; applies physical force required if necessary to restrain an intoxicated, suicidal, rowdy or abusive prisoner;
  • Directs the activities of trustees or personally prepares and serves meals to prisoners, cleans jail areas and other related duties; issues jail clothing, bedding and personal items to prisoners;
  • Escorts visitors and prisoners to and from court hearings, ensures that jail standards are being enforced; maintains a variety of records;
  • Coordinates medical services for prisoners; administers medication to prisoners under the instructions of medical professionals;
  • Schedules and supervises recreation opportunities for prisoners;
  • Directs in-custody court video arraignments; works with defendants, judges, court clerks, defense attorneys and language interpreter;
  • Maintains records; explains jail procedures, rules, provisions or ordinances to prisoners and citizens and attempts to obtain compliance;
  • Maintains records of citations issued; performs related duties as required;
  • Maintains jail log book; enters data into the jail program; writes general reports, supplemental reports, use of force reports and memorandums; logs property into evidence room; gives testimony for criminal or civil trials;
  • Provides armed prisoner transports to a variety of destinations;
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

  • One year of experience in working effectively with the public; or substituting course work or training in jail operations or related subjects for up to six months of the experience; or a combination of education, experience, and training that indicates the ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position listed above.
  • Age 21 at time of testing.
  • United States citizen, a lawful permanent resident or a deferred action for childhood arrivals recipient.
  • Speak, read, and write the English language.
  • Possession of or the ability to obtain, and maintain throughout employment, a valid Washington State driver’s license.