CLASS SPECIFICATION
CORRECTIONAL OFFICER II - PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
DEFINITION OF CLASS:
This is correctional work at the intermediate (developmental) level providing
security, custody, care, order and discipline for a segment of the inmate population
in a County correctional facility. Contacts include a variety of representatives
from various outside organizations (i.e., chaplains, District Commissioners,
attorneys/public defenders, staff from County departments, or representatives
from State and local law enforcement agencies) as well as visitors. The purpose
of contacts is to exchange information, explain procedures, and coordinate activities.
Employees of this classification are responsible for the direct custody, care,
and safety of a group of inmates/arrestees, many of whom exhibit emotional and
behavioral problems as well as resistive and uncooperative attitudes.
Employees in this class provide coverage at an assigned post within an assigned
unit of a correctional facility; post assignments within the unit are rotated
daily. The work involves supervision of an assigned group of inmates/arrestees
at a single staff post within a "direct supervision" general housing
unit or at multiple staff posts (with more senior correctional officers) in
other settings (i.e., specialized housing units, centralized processing areas,
inmate activity areas). Some work may also involve coverage at posts without
direct inmate contact (i.e., reception, inspection, and control of visitor access
to the facility; or, centralized monitoring and control of inmate/staff access
through locked doors within the facility) where senior correctional officers
are generally present. Work includes patrol, inspection, and monitoring of assigned
area; observation/monitoring of inmate behavior and activity; enforcement of
institutional rules and procedures; operation of various security and safety
devices and equipment; and written recording of shift activities in a log or
in the form of an incident report. The employee works in strict compliance with
established and clearly defined guidelines, always referring situations not
covered by instructions to a supervisor for resolution. Work is frequently evaluated
for appropriateness of actions and conformance with standard operating procedures.
A variety of detailed work guidelines in the form of laws, precedents, training
guides, professional association standards, policies, instructions, techniques,
and standard operating procedures are in place. The employee selects and applies
the appropriate rule, procedure, method, or technique according to the situation
encountered. The complexity of this work is marked by various duties/assignments
which consist of steps and procedures covered by different guides which the
employee must learn and from which the employee selects appropriate actions/responses.
The impact of this level of work is realized by a small segment of the inmate
population over whom an employee in this class exercises immediate control.
The work of this class requires employees to spend much of their work day on
their feet and/or sitting at a post to patrol, observe, inspect, accompany inmates,
and otherwise be aware of all activities taking place in a small section of
a correctional facility. Work continuously performed amidst an inmate population
places employees at considerable risk. An employee in this class is assigned
to shifts on an established rotational basis.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)
Provides coverage, on a rotational basis, to increasingly diverse post assignments
within a unit of a correctional facility; reviews written post instructions
and carries out duties and responsibilities in accordance with those written
instructions; as directed, records activities in daily log; as appropriate,
prepares incident reports and provides input to adjustment reports; as directed,
briefs incoming shift staff on information pertinent to maintaining safe and
secure operations; reports situations not covered by instructions to supervisor
or senior correctional officer; and, provides coverage at posts in other units
as assigned.
Supervises inmates in housing units; observes inmate behavior and activities;
maintains discipline and order and reduces the risk of escapes, assaults, suicides,
and injuries by enforcing institutional rules and procedures; assesses new inmate's
immediate condition and needs; advises and/or reminds inmates as necessary of
directives, rules, and general information (as contained in the Inmate Guidebook
provided to each inmate) concerning conduct and discipline, housing routines,
outside communication, communication with correctional officers and staff, security
checks, and inmate services/activities; provides information concerning readily
available personal information such as upcoming court dates, status of canteen
account, etc. collects, distributes, and/or supervises distribution of meal
trays, eating utensils, and other materials; issues clothing and bedding; conducts
bed checks of inmates inside the housing area; provides input for institutional
meal counts; responds to inmate requests for assistance and services by providing
information or directing requests through appropriate channels; intercedes in
disputes between inmates; and restrains and secures hostile inmates.
Reviews verbal inmate grievances and attempts to resolve them; transmits written
inmate grievances to appropriate superiors; provides input into incident reports
and adjustment reports (i.e., summary statements of facts involved in an alleged
inmate rule violation); attends hearings in connection with these reports.
Assists in conducting escorts and/or controlling movement of inmates between
living areas and various treatment programs, medical appointments, court appearances,
etc.; assists in implementing established procedures for processing inmates
in and out of the facility (e.g., performing Iris Scan, formulating photo ID/wrist
bands); conducts frisk or strip searches as appropriate and inspects inmate
clothing and personal property for contraband; and confiscates contraband.
Patrols and inspects the physical areas occupied by inmates; inspects cells
and conducts window/wall searches for any potential dangers, risk to inmates,
or breaches of security; and inspects cleanliness of living quarters, cells,
hallways, program areas, offices etc.; corrects or reports maintenance problems
as detected.
Checks and monitors various security, alarm and communication systems to assure
operational function (i.e., fence and roof alarms, personal body alarm, fire
alarm, radio and cameras communication equipment, smoke suppression system,
etc.).
As assigned, assists in processing arrestees in Central Processing Unit; as
directed carries out various functions unique to CPU (e.g., utilizing local,
state, and national computerized data bases; checking arrestees for open warrants
at local, state, and national level; requesting warrants to be served as appropriate
to arrestees in CPU; requesting detainees from appropriate agency for Maryland
warrants that cannot be served in Montgomery County; photographing and fingerprinting
criminal arrestees; monitoring automated booking systems for fingerprint identification
and want or warrant matches; escorting defendants to and from hearings (in CPU)
before the District Court Commissioners; recording hearing and disposition information
as necessary).
May participate in specialized training required to facilitate some aspects
of specialized inmate programs such as moral recognition treatment or jail addiction
services where the employee monitors group discussion meetings of inmates working
through 12 step workbooks; or, crisis intervention unit or emergency response
team where the employee implements specialized procedures and techniques to
restrain/control inmates who are mentally disturbed or violent.
Receives ongoing in service training relating to current operational and/or
emergency procedures, and to obtain/maintain required certifications (e.g.,
CPR, First Aid, firearms use, etc.). Attends daily roll call and shift briefings
on operational changes, problems, and pass on information from the previous
shift.
Briefs on coming shift of unusual problems or incidents encountered during a
shift.
Testifies in court as required.
Performs related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience: One (1) year of satisfactory experience as a Montgomery County
Correctional Officer I - Private.
Education: Completion of high school or High School Certificate of completion
recognized in the State of Maryland.
Equivalency: None.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of the principles and practices of corrections (i.e., institutional
security and discipline), including standards and guidelines of the Maryland
Correctional Training Commission.
Knowledge of the rules, regulations, and requirements pertaining to a variety
of posts within a unit of the correctional facility to which assigned.
Knowledge of the techniques and practices associated with supervision of inmates
in a direct supervision environment.
Knowledge of and ability to use self-defense techniques and actions.
Ability to exercise good judgment, interpersonal skills, and positive reinforcement
techniques in supervising/controlling offenders individually and in groups in
a variety of settings.
Skill in understanding of the behavior patterns and attitudes of individuals
in custody.
Skill in the use of specialized emergency, security, and safety equipment and
techniques (e.g., CPR/first aide, self contained breathing apparatus, automatic
external defibrillator, firearms, radio transmitter and codes, etc.); ability
to utilize the computer to access information and e-mail and utilize standard
word processing capabilities.
Ability to identify and analyze emergency and/or sensitive situations; and to
act quickly, calmly, and effectively in emergency situations.
Ability to stand for long periods of time under varying working conditions.
Ability to prepare brief written reports summarizing facts related to inmate
actions.
Ability to administer first aid quickly, calmly, and effectively.
Ability to deal tactfully, effectively, and equitably with people.
Ability to report to work as ordered for emergencies and to meet operational
staffing requirements.
LICENSE:
Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license.
Possession of State of Maryland Correctional Officer Certification.
Firearms Certification
First Aid, CPR, and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) Certification
CITIZENSHIP AND AGE:
Individuals appointed to this position must be at least 18 years of age on the
date of appointment and be either a citizen of the United States or a resident
alien.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
Individuals appointed or promoted to a position in this class will be required
to serve a probationary period of twelve months. Performance will be carefully
evaluated during the probationary period. Continuation in this class will be
contingent upon successful completion of the probationary period.
MEDICAL PROTOCOL: Core I Exam and Drug/Alcohol Screen
Class Established: July, 1979
Revised: October, 1979
July, 1983
October, 1984
September, 1986
April, 1988
April, 1989
October 1994 (M)
February, 1998
April, 2005(M)
June, 2010