Correction Sergeant

The work involves responsibility for the booking of inmates and for insuring the enforcement of rules and regulations governing security, conduct, discipline, safety and the general well being of inmates and staff in the County Correctional Facility. Work procedures are well defined but incumbents must be alert to possibilities of emergency situations arising and exercise sound judgment when problems occur. This position differs from that of Correction Officer by virtue of increased level of responsibility and supervisory responsibilities. Supervision is exercised over the work of an assigned group of Correction Officers. Direct supervision is received from a Correction Lieutenant with leeway allowed making independent judgment in dealing with day-to-day situations in the facility. Does related work as required.

One (1) year permanent status as a Correction Officer in Otsego County.

A written test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the following areas:
1. PREPARING WRITTEN MATERIAL - These questions test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately, and to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly. For some questions, you will be given information in two or three sentences followed by four restatements of the information. You must then choose the best version. For other questions, you will be given paragraphs with their sentences out of order. You must then choose, from four suggestions, the best order for the sentences.
2. NEW YORK STATE MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR CORRECTIONAL F ACILITIES - These questions test for knowledge of the Minimum Standards for state, county, and local correctional facilities that are promulgated by the New York State Commission of Correction in areas such as the admission/discharge, care, custody, movement, correctional treatment, security, supervision, and discipline of all persons confined in these systems.
3. COORDINATING APPROPRIATE RESPONSES TO EMERGENCIES, DISTURBANCES, AND OTHER UNUSUAL SITUATIONS - These questions test for knowledge in such areas as: anticipating possible correctional emergency situations, responding to situations promptly and allocating staff where needed; notifying supervisors of situations when appropriate; acting within rules to alleviate problems as quickly as possible with minimum use of force; investigating the causes of incidents; submitting reports on incidents.
4. SUPERVISING INCARCERATED INDIVIDUAL CORRECTIONAL PR OGRAMS, SERVICES, VISITATION AREAS, AND CORRECTIONAL STAFF - These questions test for knowledge in such areas as: coordinating programs with civilian staff; ensuring that all employees relate well to visitors and guests and answer their questions in accordance with facility rules; organizing and supervising special programs involving outside groups (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, etc.) and ensuring full cooperation from employees. The questions may also deal with such areas as: understanding new concepts and developments in the field of Corrections, and evaluating employees' capabilities and limitations on the job. Test guide: A Guide for the Written Test for First Line Correction Supervisors is available at the New York State website:https://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm. Candidates not having access to a computer or the internet may request copy of the test guide from the municipal civil service office conducting this examination using the contact information found elsewhere on this announcement.

There are no residency requirements for this examination. However, pursuant to Local Law No 6 of 2018, to be appointed and employed as a Correction Sergeant, a candidate MUST be an Otsego County resident or a resident of a contiguous county to Otsego County. Therefore, residency is required at time of appointment and must continue throughout employment.

The eligible list resulting from this examination will be used to fill vacancies as they occur in the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office under the jurisdiction of the Otsego County Personnel/Civil Service Department.