Correctional Officer (Statewide)

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

• Correctional Officer I: Minimum ? Offenders at these facilities require a minimum amount of oversight, they are permitted to enter/exit cells without permission during certain times of the day.  
• Correctional Officer II: Medium ? Offenders at these facilities do not require as much oversight as those at Close facilities but require more supervision than those at Minimum facilities.  
• Correctional Officer III: Close-offenders at these facilities always require close supervision.   Movement throughout the prison is heavily controlled.  

**All applications received will be reviewed and considered for all three levels of Correctional Officer (Officer l, ll, and lll) based upon the individual qualifications of each applicant.** 

Some NC prisons contain more than one custody level of offenders.  There may not be a current vacancy at all facilities. 



Correctional Officer Responsibilities:

• Ensure the care, custody, and control of offenders.  
• Officers must tour assigned areas which will require:
  • periodically climbing stairs.
  • observing offender activity in person and on closed-circuit monitors.
  • identify offenders who have behavioral, medical, or other problems so that appropriate safety and security measures may be taken.
  • and perform general security duties to prevent escape, disorder, rule infractions, and harm to offenders, visitors, and staff.
• The general security duties performed by officers require them to:
  • search offenders, visitors, cells, and other areas for weapons and contraband.
  • monitor and regulate offender and staff movement.
  • maintain and record offender counts, cell assignments, and other pertinent information.
  • escort offenders within and outside the institution.
  • use and maintain keys and other equipment.
  • and supervise offender work details.  
• Specific security duties vary by post-assignment.  

PERSONAL APPEARANCE:
Employees must adhere to an appearance and grooming standard.  Every employee is mandated to be in compliance with this policy.

WORK SCHEDULE:
This is a full-time position.  However, employees must be able to work any shift including rotating, fixed shift, or split shift.   All shifts may include days, nights, weekends, holidays, and mandatory overtime as required.


The pay is adjusted when the employee is fully qualified (see below chart):



Employees receive salary increases in accordance with this chart upon completion of each additional year of NC Correctional Officer experience.  All rates are subject to legislative changes.

Select to view the .  


Note to Current State Employees:
State employees are encouraged to apply for positions of interest even if the salary grade is the same as, or lower than, their current position.  If selected for this position, a new salary will be recalculated taking into consideration the quantity of relevant education and experience, funding availability, and internal equity.  Based upon these factors, a pay increase MAY result.

Note for Sign On Bonus:  To be eligible for a sign-on bonus, the candidate must not have worked as a probationary, permanent, or time-limited employee in the last 12 months as an employee subject to the State Human Resources Act.

Note for Employee Referrals:  Correctional Officers I, II, and III are eligible for participate for the Applicant Referral Bonus, program effective March 20, 2023.  Applicants must make sure to list their referral contact information within their application questions.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES / COMPETENCIES

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities listed below, along with the Minimum Education and Experience requirements, are REQUIRED to qualify for this position. We will not review resumes in lieu of the Experience and Education listed on the application.

To qualify for this position, applicants must document on the application that they possess ALL of the following:

• Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written form.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience."  If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both.  
See  for details. 

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Correctional Officer I: High School or General Educational Development (GED) diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Necessary Special Qualifications: Must be eligible for certification by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission. 
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Correctional Officer II: High School or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and one year of experience as a Correctional Officer; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Minimum Education and Experience for a Trainee Appointment High School or General Educational Development (GED) diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Special Qualifications: Must be eligible for certification by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission.

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Correctional Officer III: High School or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and two years of experience as a Correctional Officer; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Minimum Education and Experience for a Trainee Appointment High School or General Educational Development (GED) diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Necessary Special Qualifications: Must be eligible for certification by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission.
 

SUPPLEMENTAL AND CONTACT INFORMATION
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About Us:

DAC is the largest state agency with more than 26,000 employees. It is responsible for safeguarding and preserving the lives and property of its citizens through prevention, protection, and preparation as well as the care, custody, and supervision of all adults sentenced after conviction for violating North Carolina laws.   This department includes State Prisons with custody, healthcare, and facility operations staff as well as the division of Community Supervision.  Other divisions include Administration, Compliance & Accreditation, Comprehensive Health Services, Internal Affairs & Intelligence Operations, Post-Release Supervision & Parole Commission, and Rehabilitation & Reentry.  

We have a mission that matters! 

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (DAC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders.  We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job.
 
DAC uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.  Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.
 
It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information.  Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked, education with the date graduated, all work experience, and certificates / licenses.  Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.  Answers to Supplemental Questions must refer to education or work experience listed on this application to receive credit.   Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
  

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.  If a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
• If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.
• If applying for a position certified through the NC Dept. of Justice - Criminal Justice Standards Division, click this link for specific certification requirements:  .
• The NC Dept. of Adult Correction must adhere to the US Dept. of Justice Final Rule on the "National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape."  Click this link for information on hiring and promotion prohibition requirements for all positions in the NC Dept. of Adult Correction:   .

For technical issues with your application, please call the GovernmentJobs.com Applicant Support Help- Line at 855-524-5627. 
 
If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact a  or email us at .

Our employees are "ALL IN".  It's an agency mindset that continuously strives to improve workplace culture by positively supporting and encouraging one another, the department, and the community we proudly serve.

When choosing your county of residence, please refer to the map below: