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.