Correction Officer

Salary & Other Information

ANNOUNCED FOR:

NASSAU COUNTY CORRECTIONAL CENTER

SALARY: $40,330 - $110,758 (under the current collective bargaining agreement)

Duties

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Maintains security and order, patrols an assigned post, and assures proper inmate behavior at the County Correctional Center; performs related duties as required.

COMPLEXITY OF DUTIES

Under general supervision, the duties involve stress and some personal danger, and require the exercise of judgment and physical ability in maintaining security and order. Per Article 2, Section 2.10 of the Criminal Procedure Law, an incumbent of this position is designated as Peace Officer, which involves the use of firearms. Work shifts rotate on a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week basis.

TYPICAL DUTIES

*1. Patrols and checks the yard and grounds, as well as tiers, cells, and corridors of Correctional Center buildings.

*2. Visually observes surroundings, looking for any unusual, suspicious, or dangerous circumstances.

*3. Listens for unusual sounds, such as change in noise level, arguments, call for help, cry of fire, etc., to detect and prevent possible security or safety problems.

*4. Checks odors to detect the presence of smoke, marijuana, alcohol, flammable liquids, and other contraband and/or dangerous materials.

*5. Monitors the number of inmates in area and enters count in Log Book and/or activity sheets to record inmate movement.

*6. Counts, checks names, and escorts and supervises inmates to and from cell blocks, recreational activities, infirmary, showers, visitors' area, work assignments, court, etc., to prevent disorder, fighting, or breaches of security.

*7. Inspects and searches inmate quarters for drugs, weapons, or other contraband, and checks sanitary conditions.

*8. Strip searches or pat-frisks inmates to locate contraband.

*9. Checks visitors, cars, and trucks entering or leaving the institution for contraband.

*10. Checks doors, windows, bars, gates, locks, and other security equipment to make sure they are operational and have not been tampered with.

*11. Locks and unlocks cells and access doors, using mechanical and electrical devices.

*12. Ensures that inmates have proper clothing and equipment, and arranges for replacements as needed.

*13. Physically separates inmates during, or to prevent, physical confrontations.

*14. Calls for assistance to control incidents by sounding personal alarm, taking phone off hook, or using some other signal.

*15. Uses chemical agents, protective equipment, restraining devices, baton, and firearms, as directed by superior officer.

16. Guides and instructs inmates in their personal care, social behavior, and habits.

17. Reads and explains to inmates the rules and regulations governing their conduct, as required.

18. Completes standard forms, reports, and log books, recording necessary information, as required.

19. Upon completion of five years of permanent service as a Correction Officer, incumbent may assist in conducting various investigations as directed by the Sheriff, as required.

* ADA ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Must be met on or before the last day of the filing period:

Candidates must meet the following requirements:

AGE: Candidates must not be less than 18 years of age and must not have reached their 70th birthday on the date of the written test. Eligibility for appointment will not begin until a candidate has reached his/her 21st birthday and will terminate when a candidate reaches his/her 70th birthday. Time spent in military service, as defined in Section 243 of the Military Law may be deducted from actual age up to a maximum of 7 years.

(Veterans: If you have reached your 70th birthday by the date of the test you must submit your DD214 - separation papers with your application.)

EDUCATION: Candidates must be graduates of a senior high school or must possess a high school equivalency diploma before their names can be certified for appointment.

NOTE: Proof of claimed education will be required at the start of the background investigation.

LICENSE: A valid New York State Driver License will be required at the time of appointment

CITIZENSHIP: CANDIDATES MUST BE UNITED STATES CITIZENS AT THE TIME OF APPOINTMENT.

NOTE: According to Civil Service Law, section 54 which became effective September 4, 2024, applicants who are within 12 months of meeting the minimum age or attaining the minimum educational requirements following the date of examination, may take the civil service exam, but will be restricted from certification until such a time that the minimum age or educational requirements are met.

NOTE: SEE ITEMS NOS. 1 AND 2 OF GENERAL INFORMATION.

Supplemental Information/Subject of Examination/General Information

HOW TO APPLY:

ONLINE APPLICATIONS are available at The advantages of filing electronically include the storage of submitted applications in your personal user account and application processing fee payment by credit/debit card.

Additionally, our Examination Announcements webpage includes a link entitled Job Descriptions and Job Interest Cards, which offers the opportunity to view class specifications and fill out a form so that you may receive an email notification when an open competitive examination for a particular title is announced in the future.

PLEASE NOTE: Computers are available to file electronic applications in our office at 40 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Hempstead, NY from 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM, Monday thru Friday. In accordance with our goal of making the Nassau County Civil Service Commission a paperless agency, no hard copy application is available.

RESIDENCY: CANDIDATES MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENTS OF NASSAU COUNTY OR SUFFOLK COUNTY OR QUEENS COUNTY BY DATE OF APPOINTMENT FROM THE ELIGIBLE LIST ESTABLISHED AS A RESULT OF THIS EXAMINATION.

FEE: NON-REFUNDABLE Processing Fee must be submitted for each separately numbered examination for which you apply. This fee must be paid by credit or debit card.

CAREFULLY REVIEW THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS ON THIS ANNOUNCEMENT TO ENSURE THAT YOU MEET THEM, AS THIS IS A NON-REFUNDABLE PROCESSING FEE. Applications submitted without proper payment will be rejected without review.

APPLICATION FEE WAIVER: A waiver of application fee will be allowed if you are unemployed and primarily responsible for the support of a household. In addition, a waiver of application fee will be allowed if you are determined eligible for Medicaid, or receiving Supplemental Security Income payments, or Public Assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families/Family Assistance or Safety Net Assistance) or are certified Job Training Partnership Act/Workforce Investment Act eligible through a State or local social service agency. Active-duty military service members and military veterans shall be exempt from the payment of application fees. All claims for application fee waiver are subject to verification. If you can verify eligibility for application fee waiver, when prompted to submit the application processing fee, choose the Fee Waiver option. Follow the directions regarding downloading and submitting the required fee waiver form.

NOTE: SEE ITEM NO. 6 OF GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING ADDITIONAL CREDITS FOR VETERANS, AND FOR CHILDREN/SIBLINGS OF FIREFIGHTERS/POLICE OFFICERS WHO QUALIFY UNDER SECTIONS 85A/85B OF CIVIL SERVICE LAW. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU QUALIFY FOR SUCH CREDITS, ANSWER “YES” TO THE APPLICABLE QUESTION(S) IN THE APPLICATION.

VACANCIES: SEE ITEM NO. 4 OF GENERAL INFORMATION FOR INFORMATION REGARDING VACANCIES AND BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTMENT TO CERTAIN POSITIONS.

NOTE: The Nassau County Civil Service Commission has commenced the implementation of electronic canvassing. Canvass letters will be sent to the email address provided on examination applications. To help prevent emails going to spam please save to your contacts. However, you should check your inbox and junk/spam folder frequently. The Commission does not accept responsibility for non-delivery or postal delivery delays of US Mail or emails. Some agencies will still be canvassing by US Mail until the transition period has been completed. It is the responsibility of the candidate to notify this Commission, in writing of any change of name, mailing/legal/email address. You must respond to all letters received – MORE THAN TWO NO-RESPONSES TO CANVASS LETTERS WILL RESULT IN THE REMOVAL OF A CANDIDATE FROM THE ELIGIBLE LIST.

SUBJECT OF EXAMINATION: TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EVALUATION

There is no written multiple-choice test. This is an online examination questionnaire that asks questions about your education, training, and work experience. This online questionnaire IS YOUR EXAMINATION. If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will receive a rating based upon an evaluation of your training and experience against the duties of the position being tested.

Candidates must complete an examination application and return it to the Nassau County Civil Service Commission on or before the last filing date of MAY 14, 2025.

Approved candidates will be sent a notice containing directions to a website address needed to complete a Training and Experience Questionnaire.

The Training and Experience (T&E) Questionnaire will be available on JUNE 1, 2025 and approved candidates will be required to complete and submit this questionnaire between JUNE 1, 2025 and JUNE 30, 2025. Candidates will not be able to claim any credit for training or experience to be gained after the application filing deadline MAY 14, 2025.

Candidates who fail to submit their questionnaire by JUNE 30, 2025 will not receive a score and will not be added to the eligible list.

Note: Individuals can participate in Correction Officer examinations for other municipal civil service agencies to maximize their opportunity for appointment. Interested candidates will need to separately apply, be registered, and complete the T&E questionnaire for each municipal civil service agency according to each agency’s guidelines. In addition, the application and T&E questionnaire process for the NYS Correction Officer Trainee exam program is separate from the Correction Officer T&E exam program for municipal civil service agencies. Visit cs.ny.gov for more information on applying to State exams.

TAKING THE ONLINE T&E EXAMINATION AND PERSONAL NY.GOV ID ACCOUNTS

Approved applicants will need to access the T&E examination on the Department of Civil Service website. Each applicant will need a personal NY.GOV ID to participate in the examination. Applicants may already have a personal NY.GOV ID account if they have used online services for other agencies, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles. They should use the same personal NY.GOV ID for civil service examination purposes.

Applicants should not create a new personal NY.GOV ID. More information about personal NY.GOV ID’s is available at: There is a helpful video for applicants at this link. Applicants that require technical assistance with their personal NY.GOV ID can contact New York State Office of Information Technology (ITS) Service Desk directly at or at .

HELPFUL TIPS FOR COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRE

We recommend that you review the questionnaire in its entirety and collect all the information you will need to complete the questionnaire (e.g., documents related to your education, licenses, certifications, etc.). Then, set aside a block of time that is free of interruptions while you work on the questionnaire. Answer all questions that apply to your education, certification, and work experience as completely and accurately as possible. Save the information that you enter on each page by clicking on the "Save" button which is located at the end of each section.

Pre-populated information: If you have filled out any questionnaires in the past, you may see saved responses pre-populated where appropriate. This feature is provided as a convenience to candidates. It is your responsibility to make sure all your responses are accurate before you submit each questionnaire, including any pre-populated responses. You can change, delete, or modify the information on the questionnaire before you submit it for a new examination; however, this will not change your previous submission.

Amended Responses: If you have submitted a municipal Correction Officer T&E questionnaire previously, you may see indications that the New York State Department of Civil Service amended your questionnaire to either remove responses not appropriate for the section and/or to remove credit for responses deemed unverifiable or incorrect, as requested by a municipal agency for which you submitted a questionnaire. If the amendment impacted your final score on a previous questionnaire submission, you should have received notice from the municipal agency. Please review the information provided in your current questionnaire for accuracy before your next submission.

Technical Issues: Issues regarding access to the exam should be directed to the local civil service agency for whom you are taking the exam(s). Issues pertaining to creating or accessing your civil service account can be directed to the ITS Enterprise Services Desk via the methods listed below.

Contact the ITS Enterprise Services Desk at:

Reach us through online chat at:

Send us an email at:

It is in your best interest to complete your questionnaire as early in the submission period as possible to avoid last-minute complications.

COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES

Before you submit your questionnaire(s), you will be prompted to review your entries. We recommend you print a copy of your responses to keep for your own records because this will enable you to check the information before you make your final submission. When you submit your questionnaire(s), you will receive a confirmation stating that your questionnaire has been successfully submitted.

Please note that if you are currently registered for multiple Correction Officer T&E examinations with municipal civil service agencies, your questionnaire will be submitted for all open municipal Correction Officer T&E examinations. Please review your submission confirmation statement for this information and check to make sure you do not have any additional questionnaires to submit.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Candidates can refer to the candidate instructions provided in the online Correction Officer T&E examination system for most questions.

For general questions and answers about completing the online questionnaire, please visit the frequently asked questions page on our website at

Any other questions about this examination should be directed to the local civil service agency that issued the examination announcement.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION, DRUG TESTING AND FINGERPRINTING: According to Civil Service Law and/or policy of this Commission, a background investigation (which may include a polygraph examination), substance abuse screening and fingerprint check is required. Each candidate will be required to provide a waiver and release permitting the Commission to disclose to the candidates current employer any positive test results. The Division of Criminal Justice Services requires each fingerprint search request to be accompanied by a fee. This fee must be submitted by the candidate. The fee is usually $75.00. The refusal of any candidate to submit the required fee shall, in itself, disqualify a candidate from being placed on an eligible list for certification. You will be instructed at the appropriate time when and how to submit payment.

NOTE: CONVICTION OF A FELONY OR A MISDEMEANOR MAY BAR APPOINTMENT.

MEDICAL AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: Candidates who pass both the written examination and the background investigation (including a fingerprint check) will, after a conditional offer of employment, be scheduled for the Comprehensive Medical