Correctional Officer/Canine Handler

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Now offering $3,000 Signing Bonus!

Start a new career in Public Safety and make a difference every day and be eligible for a $3,000 Signing bonus!

The Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) recognizes its employees are a highly valued resource. For that reason we are now providing  monetary recruitment incentives to new DOC employees in accordance to the DOC Employee Signing Bonus Program.

The program provides recruitment incentives as follows:

• $3,000 Signing Bonus to new graduating cadets in the Correctional Officer Series. This bonus will be paid in two installments: $1,500 upon graduation from Correctional Officer Employee Initial Training (CEIT) and $1,500, 18 months from the initial date of employment.

NOTE: You may get more information during the hiring process. This program is administered by the Department of Correction Bureau of Administrative Services.  The program may be terminated by the Department of Correction at any time with or without notice.

An incumbent in this class is responsible for the training and care of an assigned canine, and for maintaining institutional security, including perimeter, of a correctional facility.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Maintains institutional security, discipline and order.
   
• Escorts visitors to and from appropriate security units.
   
• Monitors entrances and exits of institution with the exception of main gatehouse.  Insures visitors, contractors and vendors enter and exit institution safely.
   
• Trains and provides routine care for K-9 including feeding, grooming, kennel maintenance and maintains supply inventory and equipment.
   
• Maintains logs and prepares reports.
   
• Assists other security sections within institution during riots, shakedowns, crowd control, drug searches, inmate movement, apprehension of escapees, and other activities as needed.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Correctional Officer/Canine Handler
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. At least one year experience as a Correctional Officer.
2. Knowledge of training, handling and care of dogs.

    OR

1. Six months experience as a handler of a working canine such as Patrol, Narcotics, Bomb, Search and Rescue or certified sporting canines.
2. At least 19 and 1/2 years of age.
3. Possession of a High School Diploma or equivalent.
4. Possession of a valid Driver’s License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).

Employees in a  qualifying Correctional Officer (CO) series position will be eligible to retire after completing twenty-five (25) years of pension creditable State service, with at least twenty (20) of those years of pension creditable service in a CO series classified position at the time of retirement.

The Correctional Employee Initial Training (CEIT) program is approved by the Veterans Administration of Delaware State Approving Authority for the training of Veterans.

DOC Special Requirement: Prior to institutional assignment, candidates must successfully complete all phases of an eleven-week Correctional Officer Basic Course.  This course is administered by the Department of Correction at the Employee Development Center.  Coursework includes physical, classroom and hands-on training.  Instruction is provided in the areas of inmate supervision, defensive tactics, riot control, weapons, report writing and emergency medical training.

Pre-employment Drug Testing:  Upon a conditional offer, you must undergo pre-employment drug testing as part of the hiring process.

Union:  As a condition of accepting employment, the person selected for this position shall join and pay dues to the labor organization or may, instead not join but pay a service fee no greater than the dues.  The labor organization has been elected by employees as their representative for collective bargaining and other work related purposes.

DOC: For admission to the State of Delaware Department of Correction Academy applicants who are made a conditional offer of employment shall be required to successfully complete a criminal background check, physical ability test to demonstrate fitness for duty, an approved psychological examination,  pre-employment drug test and medical examination.  The recruiting agency requires the applicant to pay for the medical examination as part of the conditional offer of hire.

As a condition of accepting employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide valid proof of a current baseline TB skin test within 60 days of hire.

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at http://ben.omb.delaware.gov/

The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position.  It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties.  For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content.   Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements.

Once you have submitted your application on-line, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email.  Please keep your contact information current.  You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the “My Applications” tab at www.delawarestatejobs.com.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.  To request an auxiliary aid or service please call (302) 739-5458. TDD users should call the Delaware Relay Service Number 1-800-232-5460 for assistance.  The State of Delaware – An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.