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Consider a Career as a Corrections Officer!
Here are a few reasons why Corrections may be the choice for you.
- You take pride in serving your community
- You enjoy a working environment with clear policies and protocols, a collegial workforce and generous benefits.
- You have excellent communication skills and enjoy working in a team environment.
- You enjoy on-going training opportunities to enhance your skills and further a successful career path.
- You enjoy a working environment that presents daily challenges and requires decisiveness and leadership.
Role of a Corrections Officer
The role of a Corrections Officer is to maintain a safe environment for corrections staff and inmates at the Lake County Correctional Facility. Correctional officers perform work related to community protection, public safety
Benefits
When you become a Lake County Correctional Officer, you will be helping maintain the safety of the Lake County Correctional Facility. In return, Lake County will offer you an exceptional benefits package. Your health, your future, your family, and your professional development matter to you, and to us. Find out more.
About the Lake County Correctional Facility
The Lake County Adult Corrections Division takes great pride in the safe and secure rehabilitative environment it provides for its staff and inmates while exceeding all constitutional requirements and national and state standards. The Lake County Jail is accredited by both the American Correctional Association and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care.
The Lake County Jail operates under the philosophy of Direct Supervision. Direct Supervision is a nationally recognized program encouraging an open structure facility including the option of pods or dormitory-style housing for corrections officers to supervise inmates. Each pod contains separate secured cells for periods of lock-down including sleeping hours. Cost-effective, dormitory housing is utilized for low-risk inmates.
The benefits of Direct Supervision include successfully managing inmates’ behavior through just and fair leadership, effective communication and the skills to influence behavior. Direct Supervision results in a safer environment for both inmates and staff.
The Lake County Jail’s capacity is 740 inmates, with 20 percent of inmates serving sentences.
5 Steps to Becoming a Corrections Officer
- Step 1: Requirements
- Step 2: Apply
- Step 3: Register
- Step 4: Orientation
- Step 5: Get Certified
- Step 6: Get the Offer
- Step 7: Get Trained
Requirements
Before applying, make sure you meet the qualifications to become a Corrections Officer.
- U.S. citizenship
- Must be at least 21 years old
- Must possess a valid driver's license
- No felony convictions
- Possess a high school diploma or equivalent
- Must be willing to work any shift
Apply
Submit an application online. If you do not have access to a computer, you can apply online at the Lake County Job Center, 1 N. Genesee, Ste. 100, Waukegan, Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Applicants must attend the Mandatory Orientation and Testing.
In order to attend the Mandatory Orientation and Testing, your application must be completed and fees have to be paid by April 23, 2018.
Orientation Date and Location
When: April 28, 2018, at 9:00 A.M.
Where: Holiday Inn Gurnee Convention Center: 6161 West Grand Avenue, Gurnee, IL 60031
Please bring a state photo ID to the orientation.
Register
After submitting an application, you must register for Mandatory Orientation online. There is a $20 fee which must be paid at the time of registration. Registration fee is not refundable.
Applicants must attend the Mandatory Orientation and Testing.
In order to attend the Mandatory Orientation and Testing, your application must be completed and fees have to be paid by April 23, 2018.
Orientation Date and Location
When: April 28, 2018, at 9:00 A.M.
Where: Holiday Inn Gurnee Convention Center: 6161 West Grand Avenue, Gurnee, IL 60031
Please bring a state photo ID to the orientation.
Orientation
To be considered for a position, applicants must attend the Mandatory Orientation and Testing. At the orientation, applicants will take a written exam.
In order to attend the Mandatory Orientation and Testing, your application must be completed and fees have to be paid by April 23, 2018.
Orientation Date and Location
When: April 28, 2018, at 9:00 A.M.
Where: Holiday Inn Gurnee Convention Center: 6161 West Grand Avenue, Gurnee, IL 60031
Please bring a state photo ID to the orientation. For information, call 847-377-2700.
Get Certified
After completing orientation and passing both the written exam and physical agility test, candidates are placed on a certification list which gives them eligibility to be interviewed.
Next step: A successful interview.
Get the Offer
Following a successful interview, candidates undergo a background investigation, including criminal history status; polygraph and psychological tests.
Any offer of employment is conditional on the successful completion of a medical exam, which includes a drug and alcohol screen.
Get Trained
Hired Corrections Officers are immersed in a five-week Field Training Program (FTP) with a certified Field Training Officer. Upon successful completion of the FTP training, the Corrections Officer attends the five-week Basic Correctional Officer Training Course at the University of Illinois’ Police Training Institute’s Basic Corrections Training Academy. Lastly, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office provides a 1-week Direct Supervision Training for new Corrections Officers.
Training continues throughout the career of a Corrections Officer. On average, a Corrections Officer is mandated to train 40 hours each year which is paid for by the Sheriff’s Office. In addition, Corrections Officers have unlimited access to the National Institute of Corrections’ and Relias Academy’s online training programs.