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Study Job Description for Correction Officer
Maintains order and discipline over inmates and individuals awaiting trial. May require a high school diploma or its equivalent with 0-2 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. Works under immediate supervision. Little creativity is required. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager.
Application Requirements for Texas Correction Officers
You must be a citizen of the U.S., or an alien authorized to work in the U.S., at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma from a state-accredited school or state-issued GED, not be on active duty in the military, never convicted of a felony, never convicted of a drug-related offense, never convicted of an offense involving domestic violence, no Class A or B misdemeanor convictions within the past 5 years, not on probation for any criminal offense, no criminal charges pending or no outstanding warrants, able to perform the essential functions of a Correctional Officer, with or without reasonable accommodation, pass the TDCJ Pre-Employment Test, pass the TDCJ Drug Test, (male applicants, age 18 through 25, must provide proof of Selective Service registration or exemption from Selective Service registration).
Duties of Texas Correction Officers (entry level)
A. Attends pre-service training programs at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Correctional Training Academy and receives on-the-job training while working with experienced correctional officers at the assigned facility.

B. Searches for contraband and provides security; counts, feeds, and supervises offenders in housing, work, and other areas accessed by stairs; and performs security of various assigned areas involving long periods of sitting and standing, climbing stairs and ladders to reach the assigned areas, and working at heights.

C. Provides custody and security of offenders including observing actions of offenders, squatting and bending to perform "pat" and "strip" searches of offenders, restraining and securing sometimes assaultive offenders, and transferring and transporting offenders by walking or riding in various vehicles such as trailers, vans, buses, and other forms of transportation.

D. Supervises and provides security of offenders performing technical skills such as construction, maintenance, laundry, food service, and in varied industrial and agricultural operations which involve climbing stairs and ladders, and climbing around the inside or outside of buildings; works outdoors and indoors without air conditioning; works around motorized or moving equipment and machinery; and is subject to all types of weather.

E. Responds to emergencies, including climbing stairs and ladders while searching for escaped offenders, hearing calls for and calling for help, giving first aid at the emergency site, carrying an injured or unconscious offender or employee various distances to safety up or down stairs and ladders; and uses force and deadly force, including the use of chemical agents and firearms, to control offenders.

F. Reads, reviews, and properly applies information found in offender records which is related to the offenders health and safety and to the security of the facility; provides appropriate information to other staff; complies with policies, procedures, rules, and regulations; and prepares and maintains records, forms, and reports.

* Performs a variety of marginal duties not listed, to be determined and assigned as needed.


Salary Comparison
The following comparison is based on a Correction Officer postion at Gatesville, Texas. This data is valid as of August, 2000.
Correction Officer Low Median High
National Average $21,927 $27,405 $34,036
Texas $19,954 $24,939 $30,973

State Low Median High
Alabama $19,866 $24,829 $30,837
Alaska $26,356 $32,941 $40,911
Arizona $21,532 $26,912 $33,423
Arkansas $20,370 $25,460 $31,619
California $25,589 $31,982 $39,720
Colorado $22,607 $28,255 $35,091
Connecticut $23,769 $29,707 $36,895
Delaware $22,980 $28,721 $35,670
District of Columbia $23,265 $29,077 $36,112
Florida $21,532 $26,912 $33,423
Georgia $21,796 $27,241 $33,832
Hawaii $24,800 $30,995 $38,495
Idaho $20,370 $25,460 $31,619
Illinois $23,835 $29,790 $36,997
Indiana $21,817 $27,268 $33,866
Iowa $21,532 $26,912 $33,423
Kansas $22,366 $27,953 $34,717
Kentucky $21,774 $27,213 $33,798
Louisiana $21,489 $26,857 $33,355
Maine $21,072 $26,336 $32,708
Maryland $22,388 $27,981 $34,751
Massachusetts $23,857 $29,817 $37,031
Michigan $24,076 $30,091 $37,371
Minnesota $22,958 $28,693 $35,636
Mississippi $20,655 $25,816 $32,062
Missouri $22,366 $27,953 $34,717
Montana $20,195 $25,240 $31,347
Nevada $23,111 $28,885 $35,874
New Hampshire $22,256 $27,816 $34,546
New Jersey $23,703 $29,625 $36,793
New Mexico $20,787 $25,980 $32,266
New York $25,326 $31,653 $39,311
North Carolina $19,910 $24,884 $30,905
North Dakota $20,085 $25,103 $31,177
Ohio $21,971 $27,460 $34,104
Oklahoma $20,611 $25,761 $31,994
Oregon $22,673 $28,337 $35,193
Pennsylvania $23,221 $29,022 $36,044
Puerto Rico $16,555 $20,691 $25,697
Rhode Island $22,168 $27,707 $34,410
South Carolina $20,502 $25,624 $31,824
South Dakota $19,164 $23,952 $29,747
Tennessee $21,708 $27,131 $33,696
Texas $19,954 $24,939 $30,973
Utah $21,357 $26,693 $33,151
Vermont $21,028 $26,282 $32,640
Virginia $21,708 $27,131 $33,696
Washington $23,725 $29,653 $36,827
West Virginia $20,655 $25,816 $32,062
Wisconsin $22,936 $28,666 $35,602
Wyoming $20,063 $25,076 $31,143
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