Correctional Officer​/Canine Handler

Introduction

Join our Team! Now offering $5,000 Signing Bonus! Start a new career in Public Safety, and be eligible for a $5,000 Signing bonus! Make a Difference Everyday!

The Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) recognizes its employees as a highly valued resource and is offering Monetary Recruitment Incentives to new DOC employees in accordance with the DOC Employee Signing Bonus Program.

• Sign‑On Bonus – $5,000 to new Cadets paid in installments.
• Out of State Correctional Officer Pay – Upon successful completion of the Correctional Employee Initial Training (CEIT) course, employees who have equivalent work experience from another Department of Correction agency may be placed on the salary step table with up to 10 qualified years of experience.

NOTE:

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.

This level is responsible for full performance canine handling work, including the training, care and feeding of assigned canine and the maintenance of kennel building. Positions at this level perform the full range of Essential Functions.

Upon satisfactory completion of department promotional standards and job requirements, employees may be eligible to be promoted to the next level.

• 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:

• At least one year experience as a Correctional Officer.
• Knowledge of training, handling and care of dogs.
• OR
• Six months experience as a handler of a working canine such as Patrol, Narcotics, Bomb, Search and Rescue or certified sporting canines.
• At least 19 and 1/2 years of age.
• Possession of a High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Possession of a valid Driver’s License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).

Employees in a Correctional Officer (CO) series position will be eligible to retire under the provisions of HB363 if, at the time of retirement, they have completed twenty‑five (25) years of pension creditable State service, and with at least twenty (20) of those years of pension creditable service as a CO series classified position.

Incumbents working four or more hours of work between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. the following day will receive 5% shift differential pay.

Selected incumbent’s annual base starting salary is $53,807.00. Upon successful completion of the Correctional Employee Initial Training (CEIT) course, and after being assigned to a facility, the salary will increase to $63,629.28.

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.

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

Writing Exercise: A writing exercise will be given at the time of interview.

DOC:
For admission to the State of Delaware Department of…