Corrections Officer Job Kelso area,Washington USA,Security

Salary : $70,267.68 - $81,281.64 Annually
Location : Longview, WA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number:
Department: Corrections
Opening Date: 10/13/2025
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: CO

General Position Summary
NOW OFFERING SIGNING BONUS FOR ALL NEW AND LATERAL OFFICERS!

All newly hired Corrections Officers will receive a $6,000 signing bonus, and all Lateral Corrections Officers will receive a $8,000 signing bonus. Please complete initial application to move forward in the hiring process, and reach out to Cowlitz County Human Resources with any questions.
Now filling for multiple positions! Cowlitz County is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and strive to create an inclusive workplace. Women, men, and candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Agencies, recruits, and prospective applicants can view the PAT requirements here.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Review documents of arrest and commitment before accepting new inmates into the facility. Verify identity of officers bringing inmates into facility. Observe incoming inmates to identify physical/mental health condition.

Patrol units, cell areas, corridors and other security areas inside the facility to ensure security and observe inmate behavior. Observe remote surveillance devices to monitor inmates. Conduct regular head or institutional counts. Escort inmates in and/or out of cell or areas within the facility.

Resolve conflicts between inmates. Identify and observe problems such as bitterness and unrest among inmates, unusual movement or activities, unusual odors/sounds, group agitators and gang activities. Anticipate problems under development and take appropriate action. Immediately confront and control hostile groups or individuals. Take immediate action to address security breaches. Counsel inmates to help resolve problems. Determine when an inmate crisis or problem should be referred to appropriate facility staff or supervisor

Request examination of the physical and/or mental health condition of inmates by medical personnel. Monitor mentally ill or suicidal inmates.

Assist medical personnel to ensure inmate take prescribed medication. Observe inmate to recognize symptoms of drug withdrawal and drug use.

Escort, guard and transport inmates to outside medical facilities for treatment, and to/from court.

Perform clerical duties such as data entry and retrieval using computerized systems, receive, search, book, fingerprint, and photograph incoming inmates. Issue jail uniforms, record and store personal property and house inmates by appropriate classification, maintain accurate records and logs, and required documentation.

Distributes meals to inmates and account for utensils after meals.

Operate control room, monitoring and accessing gates, cameras, alarms and video terminals. Operate control panel in response to audio and visual cues and requests by staff. Control entries into the facility. Verify identification and inspect vehicles and/or containers entering or leaving the facility.

Pat and strip search same sex inmates. Search clothing/property left for inmates. Conduct periodic searches of inmate cells to discover and seize contraband, weapons, and other unauthorized materials. Process evidence seized during searches.

Participate in facility lockdown. Collaborate in the search, pursue, tackle and apprehension of escaped.

Check the identity of inmates leaving the facility. Inspect documents prior to release or transfer of inmates. Release inmates by established procedures or bail, court order or other authority. Verify identity of officer picking up inmate.

Report to the supervisor unusual and irregular incidents, hazardous situations, and imminent emergencies and security breaches. Report severe depression or unusual behavior, which might indicate self-destructive behavior or danger to others.

Conduct emergency procedures in case of fire, escape, riot, and other emergencies. Escort and move inmates to evacuate areas, part or full facility. Direct actions of CO's arriving to assist in emergency situations.

Collaborate in investigations, collect evidence, take notes and document evidence chain of custody, package/identify evidence.

Take emergency steps when inmate has threatened with suicide and in the cases of injury or illness by immediately reporting the incident and requesting assistance. Administer emergency medical first-aid and CPR protocols. Use universal precautions to prevent contact with infectious diseases. Use clean-up kit to clean blood borne pathogens and oversee cleanup of blood and body fluids. Investigate injuries to inmates.

Record injuries to inmates.

Take measures to void confrontation with provoking inmates. Control emotions and recognize inmates' manipulative efforts.

As the case may require, apply physical force and techniques to restrain, subdue and control violent inmates, protect/maintain life and safety, prevent criminal behavior, self-defense or combat situation.

Apply the appropriate level of force in accordance with…


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