APPLICATION AND REVIEW PROCESS
FOR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS
AND LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPUTIES
Applicants qualifying will be subject
to an extensive selection process which
may include, but not be limited to: evaluation
of training and experience, interview,
performance test, employment record, fingerprint
and background check and medical evaluation/examination.
This process will assess the candidate
in terms of their knowledge, skills, abilities,
physical fitness, and personal attributes
required for the successful performance
of the job of an entry-level correctional
officer in the Bristol County Sheriff’s
Office. The entire selection and
assessment process may be completed in
6 to 8 weeks.
It is important to note that failure to
successfully complete any one of five
(5) steps outlined below will eliminate
the candidate from further participation
in the selection process. The following
is a summary of the selection process
for the position of entry level Correctional
Officer in the Bristol County Sheriff’s
Department.
1. Oral Board Interview
Candidates will participate in a formally
structured oral board interview, which
is administered and evaluated by a panel
of Corrections Professionals. Appropriate
business attire is required. Candidates
are evaluated on knowledge, skills, and
abilities important to the Correctional
Officers position, such as, but not limited
to, communication skills, stress tolerance
and skill in assessing situations quickly
and objectively. A candidate who
is not successful may reapply six (6)
months from the interview date.
Oral board scores and applications are
valid for one (1) year.
2. Background Investigation
Background investigations are conducted
on eligible candidates. Investigations
will include verification of an applicant's
qualifying credentials to include, at
a minimum: educational requirements, employment
history, job experience, residence and
neighborhood check, age and citizenship,
review of criminal history, driver's license
history, at least three (3) personal references,
moral character (includes controlled substance
history) and military service, if any.
If you fail the background investigation
for other than truthfulness and integrity
issues, you must wait three (3) years
to retest. If you fail for issues
of untruthfulness or integrity, you will
be ineligible for future tests.
3. Qualifying Medical Evaluation
Prior to taking the Qualifying Physical
Evaluation, all candidates are required
to successfully complete a job-related
medical evaluation. This evaluation must
be performed by a licensed physician.
If you fail for temporary health or injury
problems, you will be advised as to when
you may re-apply. If the reason
is for a permanent medical reason, you
will be notified of the reason.
Vision: Entry level Correction Officers
must have at least 20/20 corrected vision
in each eye both near and far vision and
at least 20/60 uncorrected in each eye
both near and far vision.
Color Testing: Each applicant will
also undergo Color testing. Applicants
must have sufficient color vision to determine
between the colors of the uniforms used
at the facility.
Peripheral Vision: Entry level Correction
Officers must have a peripheral vision
that extends to 70 degrees.
Hearing: Entry level Correction Officers
must have hearing within the normal limits.
Hearing will be assessed by the
medical provider through simple conversation.
If hearing difficulties are noted, then
a more sophisticated test will be performed
through audiometry. Current pure tone
testing levels cannot exceed 25dB in each
ear between 500 and 400 Hz and not exceed
40dB form 6000 to 8000 Hz.
Prior Health Related Injuries or
Issues: Any prior injury or health issue
that has either occurred or has been treated
for in the past five (5) years,
must provide medical clearance from treating
physician.
NOTE:
Every person who takes the basic physical
fitness test does so at his or her own
risk. The Bristol County Sheriff’s
Office assumes no responsibility for any
injury or loss of any kind whatsoever
sustained by any person while participating
basic physical fitness testing.
No person may enter the test course unless
under the immediate supervision of the
aforementioned members.
4. Qualifying Physical
Evaluation
Certified Correctional Officers can reasonably
expect that it will be necessary to perform
certain job-related tasks requiring physical
dexterity. The six week Training
Academy and the job of a correctional
officer will require the ability to exert
physical effort on occasions and some
combination of climbing, stooping, kneeling,
standing, sitting, running, or walking
for long periods of time. This phase
will be conducted by members of members
of Southcoast Occupational Health for
clearance into the academy and by Training
Staff during the academy.
5. Final File Review
The Final File Review is conducted by
the sole appointing authority or his designee.
An applicant's file is reviewed in totality,
and in a competitive manner. Determination
for acceptance of the best qualified candidates
into the Correctional Academy is made
from the pool of candidates who successfully
complete the above Selection Process.
Please note: You will be required to sign
a statement waiving any right to review
information obtained in steps 1, 2, and
5. We make no exceptions to this rule.
This is necessary to protect sources that
participate in our selection process.
The Bristol County Sheriff's Department
is an equal opportunity employer and does
not discriminate on the basis of age,
color, marital status, national origin,
race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.
undertake
rigorous training as a Correctional Officer
and obtain a recognized qualification
