Connecticut State Department of Correction

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Questions Most Asked By
Correction Officer Candidates


24 Wolcott Hill Road
Wethersfield, CT 06109


Q: If I need to update my application or contact information, who should I call?

Changes can be made to your master application only which is housed on the State of CT Online Employment Center (OEC) https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/. Once an application is submitted to a particular job posting it cannot be changed. Any changes you to your contact information should be updated on your master application (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/) AND should be emailed to DOC Correction Officer Recruitment office at doc.recruitment@ct.gov or faxed to (860) 692-7490. Please include your full name and last four digits of your social security number on your fax.

Q: What is the salary for Correction Officer? (Effective 7/1/20)

Your base bi-weekly salary for the first ten weeks of employment is $1676.90 ($43.767.00 annually) as a Correction Officer Cadet. After 10 weeks and being promoted to Correction Officer, your bi-weekly salary will be $1863.22 ($48,630.00 annually). This does not include any shift differentials, weekend differentials or overtime.

Q: How long is my application good for?

Applications for Correction Officer are active for approximately 18 months.

Q: What happens if I don't get hired?

If you don't get hired, and the candidate list you are on expires, you must start the process from the beginning and re-apply on the OEC when position is posted. You will need to participate in the Correction Officer Physical Ability Test (COPAT) and interview process again if you are still interested in the position of Correction Officer. While we understand this can be frustrating, it is the only way to remain an active candidate with the current structure of the process.

Q: When would you contact me?

We contact candidates for one of three reasons:

  • We need additional information or
  • We need clarification on an aspect of your application.
  • We find that, based on DOC Directives, we cannot consider you for employment to make an offer of employment.

 

Q: How will I know if I'm going to be hired?

When we receive approval to hire a class, we will notify candidates by phone and email provided with a contingent offer for employment as a Correction Officer.

Q: It's been more than six months since my interview, and I still haven't heard anything. What should I do?

This is a common occurrence in the process of becoming a Correction Officer. It is a very competitive process with many excellent candidates. If you have not received any communication from our Human Resource office stating that you've been dropped from the application process, then you are still eligible to be hired. Please do not contact our office to check on your status, consider this your status.

Q: What happens if I get an offer of employment?

If you receive a contingent offer of employment, it is contingent upon you successfully completing a COLLECT background screen, pre-employment physical examination, which includes a drug screening. Once you pass the drug screen you will receive a formal offer letter in the mail.

Q: What kind of training will I receive?

For your first ten weeks of employment you will be a Correction Officer Cadet. Your training will consist of a combination of classroom and on the job training with peer mentors at a facility in the area to which you are assigned. The classroom training will be held at the Maloney Center for Training and Staff Development in Cheshire, CT for the first six (6) weeks of employment. The other four (4) weeks you will train with your peer mentors at a Correctional Institution. You will return to the Academy for a final 2 weeks for follow up before reporting to your assigned facility and post as a Correction Officer. The Academy is a total of 12 weeks in duration.

Q: Is the training academy like boot camp?

As a para-military organization there are many physical aspects to the training you will receive, along with learning self-defense. The academy has an adult education format with written examinations that you will need to pass. The focus is on providing you with the knowledge that you need to be successful as a Correction Officer. The military chain of command is still in effect, and you will be expected to respect your training officers as such.

Important Conditions of Employment you should know

  • Applicants selected for employment will be scheduled for and must pass a pre-employment physical, which includes a drug screening and also successfully complete a COLLECT background check.

  • Applicants selected for appointment will have no choice of facility or shift assignment.

  • If selected, cadets may be subject to random drug testing during their working test period.

  • Applicants will be required to adhere to the Department's dress code, including personal grooming standards.

  • As mandated by OSHA, facial areas affected by fit testing of masks must remain clean-shaven for all hazardous duty employees.

  • Applicants will be required to attend a total twelve weeks of training which will include classroom, physical, and on the job training.

  • All employees hired after May 1, 2002 will not be allowed to smoke on agency property.