Now Hiring: The NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision

Senator Patty Ritchie

December 8, 2017

Senator Ritchie’s Weekly Column

Growing up as the proud daughter of a now retired correctional officer, I learned early on just how dedicated, proud and brave correctional officers can be. As a State Senator with five state correctional facilities in my district, and a member of the Senate Standing Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction, I continue to see that dedication and hard work every day from correctional officers throughout New York State.

Ensuring that our state correctional facilities employ hardworking correctional officers is critical to public safety, as well as the safety of our prisons. In an effort to achieve both of those goals, I have been proud to sponsor Senate bill S.2959-A, which would help ensure correctional facilities across the state have adequate staffing.

In addition, I’m also working to spread the word about the upcoming New York State Department of Civil Service’s statewide correctional officers examination, which is coming up on February 3, 2018.  The deadline to sign up for the exam is December 13.

You can apply online or download examination information and applications by visiting the New York State Department of Civil Service website at www.cs.ny.gov/exams or by calling (518) 457-9375. You can also go to the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision website at www.doccs.ny.gov.

Correctional officers are critical to public safety and maintaining a safe and secure environment within our state’s prisons. I know that while this career is both difficult and dangerous—it can also be very rewarding. 

New York State’s correctional officers receive a competitive salary, starting at $40,950 and earning nearly $49,000 after only one year of training. There is a health insurance program, benefits package, opportunities to grow within the department and a retirement program.

As your state senator, I have been proud to support our correctional officers and advocate for changes that help them stay safe while on the job. Part of that effort is working to attract dedicated, hardworking individuals to careers in corrections. I know, through this effort, that we will find that new generation of correctional officers—making their families as proud of them as I am of my father.