Correctional Officer 2

Job Description

Correctional Officer 2

Opening Date/Time: 02/24/2026 12:00 AM Central Time
Closing Date/Time: 03/09/2026 11:59 PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly): $4,057.00 – $6,099.00
Salary (Annually): $48,684.00 – $73,188.00

Job Type: Full-Time
City, State Location: Henning, TN
Department: Correction

Location of (2) Position(s) to be Filled: DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION, WEST TENNESSEE STATE PENITENTIARY, LAUDERDALE COUNTY

Job Summary

The Correctional Officer 2 is responsible for correctional work of average difficulty, involving the custody, transport, and rehabilitation of inmates within a state penal institution. This is a working-level class within the Correctional Officer sub-series, performing duties that differ from the entry-level Correctional Officer 1 and the supervisory Correctional Corporal.

Note: During their careers, most correctional security employees can expect to be assigned to any one of three different work shifts and any number of different post assignments. While employee work preferences are considered, there is no guarantee that the employee will remain assigned to any specific shift and/or post assignment.

Key Requirements & Incentives

• A pre-employment drug screen is required for this position.
• The Tennessee Department of Correction offers Correctional Officers a hiring bonus of $5,000.00.
• This position requires a criminal background check. Applicants may be required to provide information about their criminal history.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school or GED.
• Experience equivalent to one (1) year of full-time adult correctional security work, specifically:
  • As a Correctional Officer for the Tennessee Department of Correction, OR
  • Adult correctional security work with a federal or state agency, OR
  • Adult correctional security work with a local agency accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA).

Substitution of Experience for Required Education

• Qualifying full-time employment as a Correctional Officer with the State of Tennessee may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Necessary Special Qualifications

Applicants for this class must:

• Be willing to 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.
• Have a good moral character, as determined by investigation.
• Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority.
• Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority.
• Supply a fingerprint sample in a manner prescribed by the TBI for a fingerprint-based criminal history records check.
• 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.
• Pass a physical examination administered by a licensed physician that is consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and that relates to the essential functions of the position.
• Pass a psychological evaluation administered by a licensed mental health professional that is consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and that relates to the essential functions of the position.
• Submit to and pass a pre-employment screening test for use of illegal drugs.
• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license at the time of appointment in some positions.
• Upon appointment, successfully complete a prescribed course of instruction at the Tennessee Correction Academy.

Responsibilities

An employee in this class may be assigned to work any shift and performs the following duties:

• Supervises inmate activities in housing units, dining areas, recreation and work areas.
• Attends to the medical, visitation, personal property, and recreational needs of the inmates.
• Inspects and patrols the grounds for contraband, unauthorized personnel, and other security risks.
• Checks in new inmates by assigning accommodations, searching for contraband, issuing clothing, and storing personal property.
• Observes inmate behavior; counsels with inmates and family about problems.
• Evaluates inmates on room and personal hygiene, attitudes towards employees and other inmates, and sends this evaluation to the counseling department.
• Attends a variety of meetings such as staff meetings, disciplinary board meetings, and training for riot control, escape prevention, and first aid.
• Prepares a variety of reports such as daily logs, disciplinary reports, records of inmates’ jobs and pay, daily inmate counts, and requisitions for office supplies.
• Operates and utilizes a variety of equipment including two-way radios, firearms, mace, electronic gates, television cameras, and may operate motor vehicles.
• Ensures the safety of residents through the supervision of their daily activity.
• Breaks up fights or other potentially dangerous situations by persuasion or the use of physical force.
• Carries out and explains existing policies and procedures to others.

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Competencies

• Decision Quality
• Manages Conflict
• Communicates Effectively
• Ensures Accountability
• Situational Adaptability

Knowledges

• Public Safety and Security
• Customer and Personal Service
• Law and Government

Skills

• Active Learning and Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Learning Strategies
• Writing

Abilities

• Number Facility
• Problem Sensitivity
• Speech Clarity
• Speech Recognition
• Written Comprehension