Correctional Officer 1

Job Description

The State of Tennessee Department of Correction invites applications for the position of Correctional Officer 1, an essential entry-level role within the correctional security sub-series.

Job Information

• Job Title: Correctional Officer 1
• Department: Correction
• Location: Northwest Correctional Complex, Lake County, Tiptonville, TN
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Opening Date/Time: February 24, 2026, 12:00 AM Central Time
• Closing Date/Time: March 9, 2026, 11:59 PM Central Time

Salary & Benefits

• Monthly Salary Range: $3,631.00 – $5,434.00
• Annual Salary Range: $43,572.00 – $65,208.00
• Approved Starting Salary for Correctional Officer 1: $4,267.00 per month ($51,204.00 per year)
• Sign-on Bonus: Newly hired Correctional Officers are eligible for a $5,000 sign-on bonus, payable over an 18-month period.

Pre-Employment Screenings & Requirements

Due to the sensitive nature of this position, applicants will be subject to rigorous background checks and screenings:

• A criminal background check is required. You may be asked to provide information about your criminal history.
• A Motor Vehicle Records screening will be conducted prior to employment.
• A fingerprint sample must be supplied for a fingerprint-based criminal history records check by the TBI.
• Applicants must complete a criminal history disclosure form and agree to release all records involving their criminal history.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment screening test for the use of illegal drugs is mandatory.
• A physical examination administered by a licensed physician, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and relevant to the essential functions of the position, must be passed.
• A psychological evaluation administered by a licensed mental health professional, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and relevant to the essential functions of the position, must be passed.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school.

Necessary Special Qualifications

Applicants for this class must meet the following specific criteria:

• Be willing and able to qualify with, carry, and use assigned weapons.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age on the date of application.
• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Possess a good moral character, as determined by investigation.
• Have no conviction for a felony or have been discharged under any other than honorable conditions from any branch of the United States armed forces.
• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license at the time of appointment (required for some positions).
• Upon appointment, successfully complete a prescribed course of instruction at the Tennessee Correction Academy.

Work Environment & Expectations

Correctional security employees are expected to demonstrate flexibility regarding work assignments:

• Most employees can expect to be assigned to any one of three different work shifts.
• Employees may be assigned to any number of different post assignments.
• While employee work preferences are considered, there is no guarantee that an employee will remain assigned to any specific shift and/or post assignment throughout their career.

Job Overview

The Correctional Officer 1 is an entry-level position responsible for correctional work of average difficulty within a state penal institution. This role involves the custody, transport, and rehabilitation of inmates, and incumbents may be assigned to work any shift.

This class is distinct from a Correctional Corporal, who performs minor supervisory duties.

Upon successful completion of a mandatory one-year training period, an applicant appointed to this class will be reclassified to Correctional Officer 2. Inadequate or marginal performance during the training period will result in automatic demotion or termination.

Responsibilities

A Correctional Officer 1 performs a variety of critical duties essential to the safety, security, and operation of the correctional facility, including but not limited to:

• Supervising Inmate Activities: Monitoring and managing inmates in housing units, dining areas, recreation and work areas. Attending to their medical, visitation, personal property, and recreational needs.
• Security & Patrols: Inspecting and patrolling facility grounds for contraband, unauthorized personnel, and other potential security risks.
• Inmate Intake: Processing new inmates by assigning accommodations, conducting searches for contraband, issuing clothing, and securely storing personal property.
• Inmate Observation & Counseling: Observing inmate behavior, providing counseling to inmates and their families regarding problems, and evaluating inmates on aspects like room and personal hygiene, and attitudes towards employees and other inmates; submitting these evaluations to the counseling department.
• Meeting & Training Participation: Attending various meetings, including staff meetings, disciplinary board meetings, and specialized training sessions for riot control, escape prevention, and first aid.
• Reporting & Documentation: Preparing a variety of reports, such as daily logs, disciplinary reports, records of inmates’ jobs and pay, daily inmate counts, and requisitions for office supplies.
• Equipment Operation: Operating and utilizing a range of equipment, including two-way radios, firearms, mace, electronic gates, television cameras, and potentially motor vehicles.
• Ensuring Resident Safety: Actively supervising daily inmate activities to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents.
• Intervention & Conflict Resolution: Intervening to break up fights or other potentially dangerous situations, using persuasion or physical force as necessary.
• Policy Enforcement: Carrying out and effectively explaining existing policies and procedures to others, including inmates and staff.