Corrections
Earn while you Learn. We are looking to add quality individuals to our team and will train you for working in corrections.
COMPETITIVE PAY
Earn While You Learn
HEALTH CARE
Benefits to joining our Corrections Team
- Annual longevity pay with regular market-rate comparisons to ensure competitive pay.
- Shift-differential pay.
- State-of-the-art employee gym.
- Pension and supplemental retirement investment plans.
- Employee/family health clinic providing no-cost care and many no-cost medications.
Providing Security and Services.
Earn to learn. We are looking to add quality individuals to our team. No experience is required. If you are looking for a starting career, your next career, or you are interested in the field of law enforcement, apply today.
ECSO Corrections Officers are responsible for providing security, and often they also impact the lives of the inmates housed at the Elkhart County Correctional Facility. In conjunction with 90 other corrections officers, those in corrections work as a team every day to ensure security and consistency for those we are responsible for.
Corrections Officers perform intake and release functions, floor monitoring, serve the control counter, prepare and file reports, supervise inmates, and other related functions.
The first step in the process is to fill out an application.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
- High school graduate or equivalent
- Valid driver’s license
- Applicant must be at least 18 years of age and a US Citizen
- Must be of good reputation and character.
- The applicant shall not have been convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor.
- The applicant shall be given a job-related pre-screen written assessment.
- The applicant must submit to a polygraph test by an examiner designated by the department.
- The applicant must pass a drug screen. Applicants currently using illegal drugs will not be hired. Applicants with a history of illegal drug use may be disqualified.
- The applicant must pass the Sheriff’s Department’s physical fitness assessment to determine if the applicant has strength, endurance, aerobic, and anaerobic stamina to meet the basic physical fitness standards. The applicant will be required to pass firearms and taser qualifications and handcuffing utilizing both the right and left hands.
Open Hiring Process in place
Written tests will be scheduled individually. Once you submit your application, someone from ECSO will contact you to set up a time to come in and take the written test.
STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES
The Elkhart County Correctional Complex is a place for inmates to peacefully serve their sentences and reduce recidivism. The 80-acre complex is located two miles south of Elkhart.
The space was thoughtfully designed for both inmates and employees. With several housing units, each divided into pods and wards, inmates are carefully classified and provided with access to recreational and educational facilities. Kiosks throughout the space allow inmates to visit via video, order from commissary, schedule future visitations, and seek medical consultation.
The layout of the complex also allows corrections officers to maintain a line of site from a central command station.
The complex is able to house 1,000 inmates, but typically averages between 800 and 900 on any given day.
The Process
Complete Application
Complete the application online.
Interview
The Elkhart County Sheriff's Office expects the highest standards of performance, ethical conduct, and truthfulness of all officers — on and off duty. All applicants will be interviewed to ensure their values align with those of the Office.
Background Check
To uphold the integrity of the Office, all applicants must undergo an extensive pre-employment character background and criminal history check, as well as polygraph and drug tests.
Oath of Office
Welcome to the team! Applicants who have been extended a job offer will take an Oath of Office to affirm their commitment to faithfully and impartially carrying out the duties of the Elkhart County Sheriff's Office.
Physical Ability Assessment
All applicants must pass a physical ability test that measures the applicant's ability to navigate situations they could encounter on the job.
Find a lifelong career in corrections or use it as a foundation for your law encorcement training.
COMPETITIVE PAY
The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office values the work of corrections officers and aims to demonstrate that through competitive pay.
Upon completion of field training, corrections officers make a minimum of $21.74 per hour in their first year.
Additionally, applicants with experience as a certified jail officer/corrections officer/prison officer at another federal, state, or local agency will be credited with one year for each year of experience.
The increase shown from year to year is guaranteed for each year of service. Officers are eligible for additional increases based on level of education, job performance evaluations, specialties and available certifications achieved.
Earn While You Learn
The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office is looking to add quality individuals to our team. Corrections Officers are individuals who have a desire to provide a safe and secure environment. While the work has routine, each day offers something new. Individuals looking for a career change can earn while they learn on the job.
FREE HEALTH AND WELLNESS CLINIC
The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office offers full medical and dental insurance to employees.
Employees and their eligible family members can also access a free Health & Wellness Center that provides a full array of medical services. Employees can access personal primary care, urgent care, personal health coaching, preventive screenings, on-site labs
and lab draws for specimens that need to be sent outside the clinic, and an on-site dispensary of frequently prescribed generic medications at no charge.
Meet your captain
Meet your captain
"At ECSO we are truly focused on providing service to our community, and doing it according to the best practices for our profession. We have a strong commitment to teamwork among our divisions, and in working with other agencies to meet the community's needs."
Captain David Lanzen
CORRECTIONS PHILOSOPHY
The correctional facility philosophy is not to “warehouse” inmates, but rather, a place to affect change in the inmates’ hearts and minds to reduce recidivism. Therefore, the correctional officers offer classes and programs for inmates. The courses provided by the staff include the following: “Thinking for a Change,” “Substance Abuse,” “Life After Incarceration,” “Anger Management,” “Financial Peace University,” and “Inside Out Dad.”
The Jail Ministry of Elkhart County is changing lives through elective laser tattoo removal available to inmates. By removing gang-related and offensive tattoo, inmates can leave behind past associations that would hinder their reentry into society and finding employment.