Do I have to live at the Training Academy during training?
No, officer candidates participate in training Monday – Friday from 530 AM – 230 PM and are allowed to go home after each training day
Do I have to live in Suffolk County to work at the Department?
No, you do not have to live in Suffolk County. But, preference is always given to Suffolk County residents who meet additional qualifications and requirements.
Is there a fast-track option for veterans?
There is no fast-track option available for veterans.
If I have previously worked or currently work at another correctional facility or public safety/law enforcement career can I just transfer in and not do the training academy?
All Officer Candidates must complete our training academy regardless of prior experience.
How long is my application active in the system?
All applications are active for one year from submission date. At that point, they will be removed from active rotation and you are welcome to submit again.
Does the Department have paid or unpaid internships or volunteer opportunities available?
Internship and volunteer positions are handled on a case by case basis depending on division and department capacity and operational needs. If interested in an internship or volunteer position please fill out an application via our career portal here and reach out to a member of our Recruitment Team here.
How do I know my application was submitted?
When an application is submitted the applicant will receive a system generated acknowledged email message to the email listed on the application.
How much does it cost to take the Entrance Exam and Physical Fitness Test?
There is no cost to take the Entrance Exam or the Physical Fitness Test.
How much does it cost to attend the academy?
There is no charge to attend the academy. The academy is a paid 12-week program where all Officer Candidates are paid their base wages plus any educational differentials as outlined by the applicable union Collective Bargaining Agreement.
What items do I need to purchase to attend the academy?
A list of required items is provided to Officer Candidates during their orientation with Training Division Instructors. Expect to spend, in total, approximately $600.
What items do I need to purchase to attend the academy?
A list of required items is provided to Officer Candidates during their orientation with Training Division Instructors. Expect to spend, in total, approximately $600.
Can I negotiate my salary when I receive a job offer?
Most openings listed are for union positions. As such, the salary is dictated by the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement and is not subject to negotiation.
Is the Department always accepting applications for other positions besides Correction Officer if there is an opening or if there is not?
Yes, the Department always accepts application submissions if there is an opening or not. If there is an opening and your application passes the initial screening, a member of the Recruitment Team will be in contact with you about next steps. If there is no current opening, your application will be in active rotation for one year.
Is the Department always recruiting for Correction Officers?
Applications for Correction Officers are on a rolling basis. If your application process is not complete by the cut-off date for the upcoming COTA you will be considered for the next scheduled COTA.
How long does the application process take to be a Correction Officer?
The process on average depending on time of submission and applicant work history can take up to two months – with the process for the background check taking the most time. See a step-by-step description of the process here.
What are you checking during the background check?
The comprehensive background check is inclusive of employment history, detailed national Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) review, driving history, personal reference check in addition to an ethical, moral, and character assessment.
Am I excluded if I have previous CORI record?
No, you are not excluded. All applications are considered on a case-by-case basis according to the the applicant’s’ history and charges.
What is the starting salary for a correction officer?
The average starting salary for a correction officer is $49,000 – $69,000 (gross) – this is inclusive of anticipated mandatory overtime, weekend and night differentials (if applicable), educational differentials (if applicable), uniform stipend and fitness bonus.
