How to be a Utility Correctional Officer

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A Utility Correctional Officer does not differ from others but is hired to work in place of officers on vacation or when temporary staffing needs warrant extra bodies on duty. These professional law enforcement personnel work in a number of settings supervising the activity of people who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or others that have been convicted of crimes and sentenced to some type of incarceration in a penitentiary, reformatory and/or a jail. It can be a stressful occupation at times and does require specific education and training to qualify for one of many positions that oversee more than 13 million people going through the justice system process each year with an estimated jail population of approximately 8 00,000 incarcerated across the country. It doesn't make a difference where a Utility Corrections Officer is employed when it comes to job description and duties since at all levels - local, state and federal - each performs the same type duties supervising inmates and maintaining facility order. Although a Utility Corrections Officer is law enforcement professional, this privilege normally does not extend past the facility or duties supervising inmates when in transit to out-of-facility locations for medical or legal (trial/court) needs. The difference for Utility Corrections Officers lies in the education and training requirements at the varying levels.

Education is a Requirement

Individuals seeking a career as a Corrections Officer need formal training and education. Many local and state facilities have a minimal requirement that candidates have a high school diploma. The Federal Prison System requires candidates have a bachelor's degree to apply for law enforcement employment. Additionally, all candidates for any Corrections Officer position must pass a thorough background check. Many facilities also require formal training classes leading to certification.



Federal Requirements

Candidates for a position as a Federal Prison Utility Corrections Officer have to provide documentation detailing an ability to communicate through both written and oral means as well as the ability to supervise inmate activity and react to adverse situations in a professional and calming fashion in the face of crisis management. Undergraduate course study is required in speech, psychology, human relations as well as specific course work dealing with an introduction to corrections, law and understanding inmate diverse populations. Furthermore, physical ability testing is required therefore any candidate for a federal position should also have a background in weight training and wellness maintaining a required level of physical fitness.

Career Outlook

There will always be opportunities to find employment as a Utility Corrections Officer in law enforcement. The outlook for continued employment in security careers will continue to increase as the need for more prisons being built continues. Improvements toward greater emphasis upon national security also contributes to security careers opportunities for individuals seeking employment at every level for Utility Corrections Officer positions, keeping in mind that this particular position is important to cover staffing needs in institutions that typically need to maintain 24-hour supervisory objectives.

Therefore, utility officer positions are more than likely to be most prevalent compared to a steady-shift designated position. Individuals willing to work in a fill-in capacity are highly valued and sought after as a solution to multiple shift institutional staffing requirements.
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Popular tags:

 background checks  jails  prisons  bachelor's degree  certifications  correctional officers  high school diploma  populations


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