How to Apply
For general WVDOC employment information, please see Careers in Corrections.
Application must be made on the Division of Personnel’s “Application for Examination” form. A copy with an original signature and current data is acceptable. A resume alone is not acceptable. Examinations will only be scored if the applicant meets the basic requirements. Candidate’s scores are good for a period of one year.
You must wait 60 days before repeating the same test. Probation and Parole Officer candidates that meet the basic Requirements and receive passing scores will have their names placed on a register list. Names are ranked on the list according to score, from the highest to the lowest. The vacancy is first posted in-house for 10 working days. Only current or former state employees with permanent civil service status.
Then our agency will request a list of names from the Division of Personnel to fill the vacancy from the top ten names in the 90th percentile from the register. After an Officer is hired, they must serve a 6-month probationary period. After successful completion of this period, they are certified as a permanent employee with full civil service status.
For further eligibility requirements and scheduling for an examination contact: WV Division of Personnel, State Capitol Complex, Building 6 Room 416, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston, WV 25305 or 1-304-558-5946 or your local Bureau of Employment Programs office.
Basic Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited 4-year college or university with a Major in Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Corrections, Social Work, or a closely related field.
- Must have a valid WV driver’s license
- A United States citizen
- At least 21 years of age
- Must pass a criminal record check
- Willing to reside and serve any place in WV
Benefits
- State Employee’s Credit Union
- Life, Health and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
- Mountaineer Flexible Benefits
- Public Employee’s Retirement System
- Deferred Compensation Plan
- Annual Increment pay after three years of service
Types of Leave
- Paid Holidays (13 annually)
- Annual Leave
- 0-5 years of service = 10 hours per month
- 5-10 yrs of service = 12 hours per month
- 10-15 yrs of service = 14 hours per month
- 15-20 yrs of service = 16 hours per month
- Must not carry over 240 hours
- Military Leave
- Court, Jury Duty and Hearing Leave
- Sick Leave – 12 hours monthly – no accrual limits
- Leave Donation Program
- Other Leave Options Exist
Corrections Academy
Candidates who successfully meet the basic requirements and are selected will be required to attend five weeks of training at the WV Corrections Academy located at Parchment Valley, in Ripley, WV.
Officers, while at the Academy, will wear shirts, tie, dark pants, belt and shoes. Throughout their training, Officer’s days will begin at 5:30 a.m. for revelle, physical fitness, inspection and then to the classroom.
Class work will end the day at approximately 4:30 p.m. and lights out at 11:00 p.m. During the training, Officers must maintain a cumulative score of at least 70% on their written examinations.
Classes may include Use of Deadly Force, Non-Lethal Use of Force, OC Certification, Contact/Cover Search and Seizure, Legal Issues and Defensive Tactics
Annual Training
Officer training is conducted and coordinated by a Parole Service Institutional Training Coordinator. Officers will receive a minimum of 40 hours of in-service training per year. Officers are encouraged to attend seminars, graduate school or any closely related training.
Salaries and Wages
For salaries and expense re-imbursement, check current Division of Personnel job descriptions and travel regulations.