SENIOR CORRECTIONAL POLICE OFFICER (L18)
Senior Correctional Police Officer sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
The requirements come down to a high school diploma, 1 year of relevant experience, and a valid NJ driver's license. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $75,661 to $123,104, and state payroll currently lists about 3,516 people in the title, most of them at Corrections.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Senior Correctional Police Officer appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Corrections.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Corrections | 3,516 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 3,516 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $110,308. The agencies employing the most are:
- Corrections (3,516)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the supervision of a Correctional Police Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and/or other supervisory official in the Department of Corrections, during an assigned tour of duty, has responsibility for the custody and care of a group of inmates in a wing, housing unit, kitchen, or on relief assignment in one of these areas; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Exercises full police powers and acts as a peace officer at all times for the detection, apprehension, arrest, and conviction of offenders against the law.
- May be responsible for specialized assignments in center, sanitation, school, hospital, shops, gates, yard, range, transportation, or other details.
- May be responsible for specialized assignments including transportation, sentry duty, and special duty during serious disturbances, escape, riot, pursuit, or stakeout requiring the utilization of firearms as specified by the Commissioner, Department of Corrections.
- Carries a firearm and other restraint/defense equipment while performing duties or off-duty; is responsible for the care, use, and security of firearms and equipment.
- Performs assigned duties according to established policies, regulations, and procedures to encourage and assist persons deprived of their liberty toward complete social rehabilitation.
- Conducts periodic counts of assigned unit inmates; reports absent inmates.
- Controls the general conduct and behavior of inmates according to established institution procedures and prevents disturbances and escape attempts.
- Reports violations of institutional rules to supervisory officers.
- Maintains discipline and order.
- Sees that contraband articles are not concealed on the bodies of the inmates or in any part of the concerned unit, and that institution property and equipment is kept in a clean, safe, and orderly condition.
- Conducts periodic inspections of the locks, window bars, grills, doors, gates, and other places of possible egress from the unit.
- Escorts inmates to and from their quarters.
- Notes suspicious persons and conditions and takes appropriate measures in reporting significant actions, occurrences, and conditions in the buildings and on the grounds; reports conditions constituting dangers and hazards and takes the necessary steps to ensure safe and orderly conditions.
- As a member of a group, attends formal classes and receives instruction in the principles, procedures, practices, and terminology of correctional methods.
- Attends demonstrations to learn the proper methods of utilizing available institution equipment and accessories.
- Receives training in the preparation of reports and maintenance of essential records.
- Conducts the initial investigation of violations of rules, regulations, policies, and procedures by inmates and visitors.
- Issues disciplinary charges to inmates violating rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Will be required to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Possession of a High School Diploma or its equivalent.
Experience
One (1) year of experience in the care and custody of inmates in a penal and/or correctional institution.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the problems likely to be encountered in work involving the social rehabilitation, care, and custody of varied types of persons deprived of their liberty. Knowledge of approved use of force, chemical mace, firefighting equipment, and other emergency equipment and firearms. Knowledge of the principles of criminal justice and their applications to inmate custody and correction. Knowledge of the methods likely to be useful in working in an effective manner with persons of varied types, abilities, and personalities. Knowledge of the problems, procedures, and methods involved in taking suitable action concerning suspicious persons and conditions, and in reporting significant occurrences and conditions. Ability to exercise full police powers and act as a peace officer at all times for the detection, apprehension, arrest, and conviction of offenders against the law. Ability to carry a weapon while on duty. Ability to understand, remember, and carry out oral and written directions, and to learn quickly from oral and written explanations and from demonstrations. Ability to analyze custodial problems, organize assigned custodial work, and to develop effective work methods. Ability to recognize significant conditions and to take proper action according to established procedures. Ability to understand the emotional adjustment and other problems of inmates deprived of their liberty. Ability to deal firmly and effectively with varied types of persons according to established policy and procedures. Ability to perform repetitive work without loss of equanimity, patience, or courtesy, to remain calm and decisive in emergency situations, and to retain emotional stability. Ability to give clear, accurate, and explicit directions, and to follow prescribed procedures. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports of significant conditions and actions taken. Ability to maintain records. Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. NOTE: Appointments may be made to positions requiring bilingual skills. - Bilingual in Spanish and English SPECIAL SKILL Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. Appointees to this position shall be required to qualify in the use of firearms on an annual basis. The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type of vehicles they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority. SC4017N/AL18-Bilingual In Spanish & EnglishSC4017N/AL18- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 5/12/2018