The Nevada Department of Corrections’ objective is to help preserve society by keeping offenders in a secure and humane setting while preparing them for successful reentry into the community. NDOC staff members are proud of their reputation as leaders in corrections and working as one team. As the foundations of an offender’s rehabilitation, its personnel uses advanced programming that emphasizes education, mental health, drug abuse treatment, and job training.
The Nevada Department of Corrections is currently seeking applicants for various jobs, including Correctional Officer, Nurse, and Maintenance positions, among others. The State of Nevada is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action in recruiting its employees and does not discriminate.
WHAT DOES A NEVADA CORRECTIONAL OFFICER DO
Correctional officers are responsible for maintaining and supervising inmates in state institutions in a safe, secure environment. Incumbents work in a training capacity while acquiring the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this job.
Nevada Department of Corrections Officers will:
Give accurate physical counts according to established procedures, and complete and submit the appropriate forms to control centers and supervisors.
Control, direct, and monitor the activity and movement of inmates within a specified area (line movements, showers, recreation or game room, dining area, housing units, segregation, and special management units) to ensure the security and safety of inmates, staff and the public by instructing the inmates, ordering and disciplining them.
Coordinate, direct, and instruct inmate work crews as well as monitor job completion to assure correct completion of tasks and take appropriate action or report to supervisor when needed.
Use appropriate restraints and transportation methods, and monitor and control prisoners during their movement to work assignments, classes, medical visits, and court hearings.
Detect unusual or suspicious activity and improper conduct, and maintain security and safety of offenders, personnel, and the public and institution/facility. Visual surveillance should be conducted of the facility’s security perimeter.
Use a metal detector, x-ray machine, and hand scanner to examine persons and items to ensure they have the proper authorization to enter the facility following established protocols.
Conduct random and particular searches of inmates and visitors (both clothed and unclothed).
Follow institutional processes and standards to search for weapons and contraband in prison cells, dormitories, buildings, institutions/facilities, physical plant, supplies, and inmate personal belongings.
Maintain the safety and security of inmates, employees, and visitors by following established procedures to maintain keys, caustic or flammable materials, tools, potentially hazardous kitchen utensils, and equipment in proper function, control, and accountability.
Check the locks and keys for damage and the windows, bars, doors, gates, fences, walls, and fire protection.
BECOMING A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER IN NEVADA
The Nevada Department Department of Corrections has established the following minimum qualifications for Correctional Officers:
- High School graduation or equivalent education
- Two years of full-time work history or equivalent. Work history can be part-time or full-time, military, or college experience after high school graduation
- Completion of the POST physical fitness test, which includes
- Vertical Jump 15 inches
- Agility Run in 20.4 seconds
- 20 Push Ups
- 300 Meter Run 1 minute 14 seconds
- 1.5 Mile Walk or Run in 17 minutes 37 seconds
- Submit documents for extensive background check
- Complete psychological test
- Complete interview
- Complete drug testing
NEVADA EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS
All NDOC Officers must pass an eight-week training academy provided by the Nevada Commission on Peace Officers Standards and training.
Applicants must meet minimum standards for appointment as a peace officer as established in the Nevada Revised Statutes and Nevada Administrative Code.
Applicants must be able to pass a strict annual physical examination by Nevada State Prisons Standards and to meet the requirements of the provisions of the Heart/Lung Bills.
OPTIONAL PATH TO CERTIFICATION
Nevada does recognize prior law enforcement experience. The State has established the following procedures for reciprocity with other state agencies:
- All reciprocity applicants must pass the PT test administered by POST.
- Submit a $200 payment to the Nevada Law Enforcement Agency ($400 if not currently employed by a Nevada Law Enforcement Agency).
Those who pass the course are given 24 months to find work as a Nevada peace officer. If you don’t acquire employment as a Nevada Peace Officer after 24 months, the training will terminate, and you’ll be forced to repeat or attend a basic academy.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEGREES
Nevada recognizes and rewards prior Correctional Officer experience and education. The NDOC will hire applicants with the following experience and/or education in non-trainee positions:
- Posses a Bachelors in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Criminology, or Administrative Justice OR
- Associates of Arts degree AND six months or more experience as a Correctional Officer OR
- One year of experience as a Correctional Officer OR
- Five years as a Police Officer
NEVADA CORRECTIONAL OFFICER SALARY
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics lists Correctional Officer’s Salary in Nevada as $65,070.
The State of Nevada offers a wide array of benefits to employees including:
Insurance – For dependent eligibility, years of service subsidy, and premium cost under the Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP PPO), Low Deductible PPO Plan (LD PPO), Premier (EPO) Plan, or Health Plan of Nevada (HMO), see Nevada’s Benefits Guide
- Medical
- Dental
- Life
- Disability
Paid Leave
- Eleven Holidays Annually
- Three Weeks of Annual Leave
- Three Weeks of Sick Leave
Retirement – Nevada Correctional Officers will be enrolled in the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS). Membership is not canceled automatically upon termination of employment. Membership can only be canceled upon refund, retirement, or death of a member.
Base pay, longevity pay, shift differential pay and call-back pay are subject to retirement contribution. Overtime, terminal leave, pay from secondary employment, and any other type of payment not specifically listed as subject to retirement contribution are not subject to contribution.
- State Retirement System (PERS)
- Tax Sheltered Deferred Compensation Plan
Pay Deductions
- State Employees Do Not Contribute to Social Security (Medicare Deduction is Required)
CORRECTIONAL OFFICER JOB PROSPECTS
The Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC) is a State Agency of over 2400 employees, which is responsible for the care, and custody of offenders in our system. NDOC is always recruiting for our largest job classification, the Correctional Officer.
NDOC encourages promotion within the department and provides opportunities for staff to compete for advancement based on their interests, additional training, experience, and education. Divisional/Departmental promotional recruitments are announced to enable staff to further their career within our agency.
