About Klickitat County

If you want one place in the Pacific Northwest that offers a diverse flavor of historical and cultural attractions, where you can pursue endless outdoor activities, then Klickitat County is the place for you.

Location

As a gateway to the Columbia River Gorge, the Cascade Mountains, the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest, and the Mount Adams Recreation area, Klickitat County is a popular destination for outdoor recreationists from across North America. Add in the many cultural activities, such as Maryhill Museum of Art and Stonehenge, and you'll realize that Klickitat County offers a back-road adventure with a taste of rural America.

Located in south central Washington state, Klickitat County lies at the junction where the Columbia River Gorge cuts through the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains. It encompasses 1,908 square miles (about the same size as the state of Delaware), has miles of whitewater streams, numerous lakes, the Columbia River, the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest and is home to the Klickitat Wildlife Management Area and Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The county is 84 miles wide and averages 23 miles north to south. Its 18,000 residents reside in cultural and historic communities which provide various cultural and business accommodations and world-class attractions.

Outdoor Activities

Fishing, hunting, whitewater rafting, windsurfing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, berry and mushroom picking, and scenic tours provide outdoor recreation opportunities to thousands of travelers and business visitors to the Columbia River Gorge and the Cascade Mountains. Visitors find Klickitat County's canyons and vistas, evergreen forests, scenic waterfalls, wildflowers, berry fields, ranch-lands, sage-covered hillsides, river rapids, hiking and biking trails, deer, turkey, elk, salmon, steelhead, rodeos, festivals, and for those who seek it, seclusion, among the best in the U.S. The moderate climate makes Klickitat County a year-round outdoor recreation destination.

Geological & Natural Features

Klickitat County is home to a wide variety of geological and natural features. Western Klickitat County hosts the Cascade Mountain range with steep, rugged forest areas, whitewater streams and the Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Central Klickitat County includes the Klickitat River valley, the Klickitat Wildlife Management area and the Simcoe Hills. Eastern Klickitat County opens to rolling prairies and high plateau's where farming and ranching predominate.

On its southern edge, the Columbia River provides a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities.

Visitors may even follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, who, on their 1805 Corp of Discovery expedition to the Pacific Ocean, camped at the mouth of the White Salmon River.

We welcome you to the Klickitat County, Washington website and hope to see you soon at one of our many Klickitat County attractions.

Basic Job Purpose/Function:

Performs all activities in the receipt, booking, custody, transport and care of inmates under the jurisdiction of the Jail Administrator in accordance with established policies and procedures. Assures the fair and reasonable treatment of inmates and the maintenance and operations of a safe, secure and sanitary corrections facility, placing a primary concern for the health, welfare, safety and security of inmates, staff and visitors.  Positions in the Corrections Officer classification are distinguished by the responsibility for providing for the care and security of the inmates.

Essential Job Duties:

1. Receives and processes incoming inmates. Searches inmates; collects, records and maintains prisoner's personal articles; reviews commitment orders, books, fingerprints, photographs and places prisoners in cells. Maintains security and safety of individuals being moved from one place to another.
2. Inputs and updates computer and manual files to complete incident, general, arrest, inmate and statistical reports to ensure legal requirements are met.
3. Escorts or assures custody of inmates in transit to court appearances, hospital or other medical facilities and/or other correctional institutions.
4. Coordinates inmate court appearances, control and distribution of necessary documents in the courtroom; calculates credit time for court sentencing as requested; verifies and updates court-related information on computer, such as final disposition, sentencing and release dates.
5. Operates control room; monitors electronic surveillance equipment and observes inmate, trustee and visitor movement, programs and activities within facility to control overall security of and access to the facility; conducts and records head counts.
6. Performs searches of inmates and facility for contraband.
7. Inspects facility for security and cleanliness to assure facility is maintained in accordance with established procedures; monitors a variety of gauges and alarm systems.
8. Selects trustees for special work assignments; assures safe custody of trustees when outside of cell block and supervises work performed.
9. Arranges for the release of inmates in accordance with established procedures. May assist in coordination of work release program, indoctrinating inmates into program, verifying places of employment, logging inmates in and out, and collecting and posting work release fees.
10. Prepares and submits written reports concerning inmate population and jail functions in accordance with established procedures.
11. Provides for inmate comfort and health by serving meals and dispensing medications as authorized; summons medical attention for inmates on an emergency basis and may provide basic first aid services; maintains prisoner medical records.
12. Performs or ensures distribution of commissary items purchased by prisoners such as candy, snacks, and toilet articles; records payment on voucher.
13. Instructs inmates on jail regulations and procedures; enforces rules and jail regulations according to standard operating procedures; participates in disciplinary proceedings and hearings as assigned.
14. Responds to inquiries, complaints or requests for information regarding area of assignment from inmates, other staff and the general public, providing information within scope of knowledge and authority, or refers to appropriate individual.

Additional Job Duties:

1. Assures adequate inventory of supplies, forms and the like; re-orders and re-stocks as needed.
2. Serves warrants; confirms and evaluates identification of person being served.
3. May provide training and/or work direction to less experienced Corrections Officers as directed.
4. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements/Minimum Qualifications:

• Knowledge of principles, practices and techniques of modern inmate care, custody and control and related aspects of law enforcement. Ability to read, learn, interpret and properly apply laws applicable to area of assignment. Acquire skill in the use and care of firearms and the conditions under which they may be employed in accordance with department regulations. Physically handle and control prisoner(s) resisting detention. Maintain composure and self-control under adverse conditions; e.g., prisoner harassment, ridicule, critical injuries, death. Hold self in readiness at all times to effectively respond to abnormal jail conditions and situations. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, probation officers, attorneys, courts, other outside agencies and the general public. Perform duties and maintain personal conduct, attitude and appearance that conform to strict policies, procedures and discipline. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Physically perform the essential functions of the job.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the applicant with the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform this job. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be
• High school diploma or G.E.D.

Licenses, Certificates, and Other Requirements

• As a condition of an employment, a candidate must have successful outcomes of a polygraph test, drug testing and completion of all examinations.
• Certification from the Washington State Corrections Officer Academy
• Control Board Certification
• Defensive Tactics Certification
• Firearm qualification 
• First Aid and C.P.R. Certification
• Valid Washington State Driver's License
• Must be a citizen of the United States and show proof of citizenship.
• Must not have been convicted of a crime that is punishable by imprisonment in a state or federal prison or institution.
• Shall possess good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation.

Klickitat County Department of Corrections - Corrections Officer has 2 vacancies.

Hourly 

$24.40 

Monthly

$4,229.33

Annually

$50,752.00

Benefits

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Vacation Leave

Upon satisfactory completion of 6 months employment (commencing with the adjusted hire date) employees receive six 8 hour days of vacation leave. Vacation accrues at a rate of 8 hours per each completed month of service initially, up to a maximum of 16 hours per each completed month of service.

Sick Leave

Employees accrue sick leave at the rate of 8 hours per completed month of service up to a maximum of 1440 hours.

Holidays

Klickitat County employees enjoy 12 paid holidays, 11 designated and 1 floating holiday.

Medical Coverage

Klickitat County joined PEBB and as a result offers three excellent choices for medical plans. Includes prescription drug coverage for employees and their dependents. The County provides 100% of the employee premium and premiums for dependents at 82% to 89%.

Dental Coverage

Our dental program offers three dental plans to include orthodontic coverage for employees and dependents. The County provides 100% of the employee premium.

Vision Coverage

Our vision coverage provides for exams and hardware for employees and dependents.

Life Insurance

$35,000 plus $5,000 accidental County paid life insurance for all employees. Additional life insurance is available at the employee's expense.

Retirement

Klickitat County Department of Correction employees participate in the Washington State Public Safety Employees' Retirement System (PSERS). Employees and the County contribute to the plan.

Social Security & Industrial Insurance

Employees are covered by Social Security and the State Industrial Insurance Act.

In Addition

Klickitat County offers its employees a flexible Spending Account, two Deferred Compensation Programs, a variety of on-going training programs, Long Term Disability Insurance, and AFLAC coverage through payroll deduction.