CRANSTON, R.I. – May 16, 2008 – With Rhode Island’s gloomy unemployment rate making headlines, the fact that the Rhode Island Department of Corrections is hiring should come as good news to those seeking a challenging career opportunity. The RIDOC is about halfway through the recruitment period for its next Correctional Officer Training Academy and will continue accepting applications through May 31st. Applications are up over this time in the last recruitment process with a total of 966 received as of May 11th. The Department’s efforts to attract a diverse applicant pool have proven successful with 47% minority and 27% female applicants as of that same date.
The remaining two-hour Correctional Officer Training Academy information sessions will be conducted on: 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 at www.netWORKri.org. Applications 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.
Partner agencies in the recruiting effort include the State Diversity Office, 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.
For further information about the Training Academy or the Department of Corrections, please visit www.doc.ri.gov.