CRANSTON, R.I. – April 29, 2008 – Men and women who are looking for a challenging career opportunity are invited to consider becoming a Correctional Officer. The Rhode Island Department of Corrections will launch the recruitment period for its next Correctional Officer Training Academy this Friday. The official kickoff for the recruitment period will take place on Friday, May 2nd, at 9 a.m. at the netWORKri office at One Reservoir Ave., Providence. Cheryl Burrell, program administrator with the Human Resources Outreach and Diversity Office, will emcee the event. Director A.T. Wall will deliver brief remarks. Partner agencies in the recruiting effort include the Department of Labor and Training, the NAACP Providence Branch, the NAACP Newport County Branch, the Narragansett Indian Tribe, Progreso Latino, Rhode Island Affirmative Action Professionals, Rhode Island Young Professionals, the Socio-Economic Development Center for Southeast Asians, and the Urban League of Rhode Island. The kickoff event is open to the public. Applications for the Academy will be accepted between May 1st - 31st. Two-hour Correctional Officer Training Academy information sessions will be conducted on: Tuesday, May 6th, 5 – 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8th, 4 - 6 p.m. Saturday, May 10th, 10 a.m. – noon Wednesday, May 14th, 4 – 6 p.m. Saturday, May 17th, 9 – 11 a.m. Monday, May 19th, 5 – 7 p.m. Thursday, May 22nd, 4 – 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 27th, 5 – 7 p.m. Saturday, May 31st, 10 a.m. - noon
These information sessions will discuss the following: The Mission of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections Corrections philosophy Correctional Officer duties The application and selection process, including physical fitness requirements The testing process
Interested individuals should pre-register by calling the Training Academy at (401) 462-2697 at least two days prior to the session you wish to attend.
Men and women interested in applying for a spot in the Training Academy for Class 77 can fill out an application on line, beginning on May 1st, at www.netWORKri.org. Applications will be accepted through May 31st and may also be obtained by calling the Training Academy at 401-462-JOBS. The dates for the Academy are Monday, November 10th, 2008, through Friday, January 9th, 2009.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, possess a valid photo ID, have a Social Security card or alien registration card, be a high school graduate or have a GED, and be fluent in English. The Rhode Island residency requirement no longer applies.
The selection process includes a written and video-based examination, BCI/NCIC, a physical fitness test, a background investigation, an appointment with the Director’s Interview Board, a psychological assessment, and a medical screening.
Those who are selected for the nine-week Training Academy will receive a weekly stipend of $500. The paramilitary training will include instruction on the following: security procedures, supervision of inmates, suicide signs/precautions, use of force, report writing, inmate rules and regulations, inmate rights, fire and emergency procedures, safety procedures, firearms training, defensive tactics, CPR/First-aid certification, baton certification, physical training, O.C. certification, key and tool control, communication skills, inmate lifestyles, and stress management.
Correctional Officer duties include the supervision, custody, and control of adult inmates incarcerated at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston. Upon appointment, the starting salary is $32,831 and benefits include health, dental and vision coverage, pension plan, paid vacations, paid personal days, paid holidays, sick leave benefit, step pay increases, college incentive pay, and clothing maintenance allowance.
The Department received over 2,000 applications for the spring 2007 Training Academy. Of those, 880 showed up to take the two-part written examination, and 447 passed. The top 107 of those were interviewed. Forty-seven people entered the Training Academy in October, and 37 graduated in December. The diverse group of graduates was comprised of 16% females and 27% minorities.
For further information about the Training Academy or the Department of Corrections, please visit www.doc.ri.gov.