Western Correctional Center For Women
Black Mountain, North Carolina
**Careers That Matter**
*Welcome Future Western Correctional Employee*
Becoming employed with the State of North Carolina Department of Adult Correction can offer a secure state job, competitive pay, health insurance, a family-oriented atmosphere, room for future promotions and many other state benefits. We are looking for individuals that promote and facilitate teamwork, perform their job duties to the best of their ability and who are committed to excellence.
Upcoming Hiring Event: 6/26/25 8AM - 2PM
We encourage you to attend our upcoming Hiring Event located at Western Correctional Center (55 State Rd 2468, Black Mountain, NC 28711, USA). At our Hiring Event expect things such as, application assistance, facility tours, Q/A with current employees to answer any questions or concerns you may have, same day interviews, and more. We look forward to seeing you there!
Below is information on becoming a Correctional Officer and about Western Correctional Center BUT to apply for a Correctional Officer position you must apply at Statewide Correctional Officer Posting (click link to apply).
NOW ELIGIBLE FOR A $3,000 SIGN ON BONUS!
To be eligible for a sign-on bonus, the candidate must not have worked as a probationary, permanent, or time-limited employee in the last 12 months as an employee subject to the State Human Resources Act.
ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR THE APPLICANT REFERRAL BONUS!
EMPLOYEE REFERRAL BONUS PROGRAM ($1,000)
The North Carolina Division of Prisons is eager to hire those committed to excellence and seeking a career path in public safety. We are seeking full time employees to join our team as Correctional Officers and are pleased to announce the new Step Pay Plan approved by the NC Legislature. This pay plan offers competitive starting salaries and guaranteed annual increases based on each year of experience as a NC Correctional Officer. Those with prior NC Correctional Officer experience can return to employment with full credit in the pay plan for each year of experience as well.
*********PART-TIME CORRECTIONAL OFFICER POSTIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE*******
Flexible Scheduling– Offering several part-time shift options, consisting of four 6-hour days, four 8-hour days, or two 12-hour days per week. Openings are available on Morning, Day, Evening and Night shifts; part-time hours 24 to 32 hours a week maximum, with possible shift covering holidays and weekends.
Open Interviews:We encourage you to complete an online application or come by the facility to apply. We have open interviews EVERY Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00am until 11:00pm at the Western Correctional Administrative Office (55 State Rd 2468, Black Mountain, NC 28711, USA).
About Western Correctional Center for Women (WCCW):
Western Correctional Center for Women (formerly Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women) opened on July 7, 2008 and is a minimum custody facility housing approx. 360 female offenders located in Black Mountain, NC. WCCW renovated four dormitories: Greenwood, Frye, Sloop and Gilliat. Renovations on the vocation building provided offenders with an educational classroom and an operating greenhouse. Renovations to the Buchanan building accommodated the increasing offender population and offer more educational classrooms and a medical wing. On Oct. 4, 2021, the facility's name was changed to Western Correctional Center for Women.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK:
Correctional Officer I II's & III's are responsible for ensuring the care, custody, and control of offenders and report to a Correctional Sergeant II & III respectively. Duties of these positions include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Touring assigned areas which will require periodically climbing stairs and standing for long periods of time.
- Observing offenders’ activity in person and on closed-circuit monitors.
- Identifying offenders who have behavioral, medical, or other problems so that appropriate safety and security measures may be taken as needed.
- Performing general security duties to prevent escape, disorder, rule infractions, and harm to offenders, visitors, and staff.
- Searching offenders, visitors, cells and other areas for weapons and contraband.
- Monitoring and regulating offenders' and staff movement.
- Maintaining and recording offender counts, cell assignments, and other pertinent information.
- Escorting offenders within and outside the institution.
- Using and maintaining keys, two-way radios and other equipment.
- Supervising offenders’ work details.
- Performing other special security duties that vary by post assignment.
WORK SCHEDULE:
Employees must be able to work any shift including rotating, fixed shift or split shift. All shifts may include days, nights, weekends, holidays, and mandatory overtime as required. This is a permanent full-time position with State Benefits.
As of January 1, 2025, there are new increase adjustments to the state's pay plans which were approved by the State Human Resources Commission, effective January 1, 2025. PERSONAL APPEARANCE: Employees must adhere to an appearance and grooming standard. Click HERE to view NCDAC Personal Appearance Policy. Every employee is mandated to be in compliance with this policy. Click HERE to view NCDAC Correctional Officer Video.
Note to Applicants:
Your Education and Experience is valuable to our Correctional Institution. Review the Salary Information and the Minimum Education and Experience Requirements section carefully. We strongly advise you to include all your education and experience on your application. If you were ever charged with a criminal offense at some point in your life, you will be required to provide certified and true copies of warrant(s) and judgment(s) for each offense (other than a minor traffic violation) as a condition of employment, even if documentation and charges have previously been reported to this agency.
Note to Current State Employees:
The salary grade for Correctional Officer I is CR06, II is CR06 & Correctional Officer III is CR07. State employees are encouraged to apply for positions of interest even if the salary grade is the same as, or lower than, their current position. If selected for this position, a new salary will be recalculated taking into consideration the quantity of relevant education and experience, funding availability, and internal equity. Based upon these factors, a pay increase MAY result.
SALARY INFORMATION:
NCDAC has rolled out a new Step Pay Plan for it's Correctional Officers that has been approved by the NC Legislature. This pay plan offers competitive starting salaries and guaranteed annual increase based on each year of experience as a NC Correctional Officer. Those with prior NC Correctional Officer experience can return to employment with full credit in the pay plan for each of experience as well. (See chart below).
Correctional Officer Salary Rates (2024-2025), chart view:0 Years
Exp.
1 Year
Exp.
2 Years
Exp.
3 Years
Exp.
4 Years
Exp.
5 Years
Exp.
6 Years
Exp.
Correctional Officer I
$37,621
$40,253
$42,670
$44,803
$46,594
$47,993
$48,953
Correctional Officer II
$38,859
$41,578
$44,117
$46,277
$48,128
$49,571
$50,563
Correctional Officer III
$41,558
$44,468
$47,137
$49,494
$51,473
$53,017
$54,078
Employees receive salary increases in accordance with this chart upon completion of each additional year of NC Correctional Officer experience. All rates are subject to legislative changes.
Select to view the State Benefits.
**CO II & CO III Trainee Appointments will be accepted at a lower salary rate. Once the experience has been met, the salary will be appropriately adjusted. **
The Knowledge, Skills and Abilities listed below, along with the Minimum Education and Experience requirements, are REQUIRED to qualify for this position. (We will not review resumes in lieu of Experience and Education listed on the application).
To qualify for this position, applicants must document on the application that they possess ALL of the following:
- Effectively communicate with offenders, staff, and members of the general public.
Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See https://oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.
Correctional Officer I: Minimum – Offenders at these facilities require a minimum amount of oversight, they are permitted to enter/exit cells without permission during certain times of the day.
Correctional Officer II: High School Diploma/GED certificate from an accredited school and one-year experience as Correctional Officer; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Correctional Officer III: High School Diploma/GED certificate from an accredited school and two-years experience as Correctional Officer; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
EQUIVALENT COMBINATIONS OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: An equivalent combination of the education and experience listed below may be considered to meet the minimum education and experience requirements (above) for the Correctional Officer positions.
- Associate Degree in any field
- Bachelor's Degree in any field
- Military experience (no dishonorable discharge, one year of full-time military service is equal to one year of experience)
- Probation/Parole Officer (PPO)
- Any sworn law enforcement or juvenile detention experience at the federal, state county, or municipal level
- Correctional Officer within North Carolina or from another state
- County Jailor
- Municipal Police Officer
- Deputy Sheriff
- Detention Officer
- Federal Correction Officer
- Special Officer (Certified Police Officer) (i.e., Hospital Police)
- Related criminal justice or law enforcement role
***This is not an exhaustive list, other experience may be applied therefore it is important that you complete all portions of the application.***
It is important that your application include all relevant education and experience in the Education and Work Experience sections of the application form.
Embedded or attached resumes ARE NOT accepted as a substitution for a completed application.
Come Join Us To Make A Difference!
The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (DAC) is one of the largest state agencies with more than 19,000 employees. It is responsible for safeguarding and preserving the lives and property of its citizens through prevention, protection, and preparation as well as the care, custody, and supervision of all adults sentenced after conviction for violating North Carolina laws. This department includes Institutions with custody, healthcare, and facility operations staff in state prisons as well as the division of Community Supervision. Other divisions include Administration, Compliance & Accreditation, Comprehensive Health Services, Internal Affairs & Intelligence Operations, Post-Release Supervision & Parole Commission, and Rehabilitation & Reentry.
The Division of Institutions is one of the divisions in DAC and employs a variety of staff, operates 56 institutions and is responsible for the care and custody of approximately 30,000 incarcerated individuals across North Carolina. Our division categorizes the institutions into 3 custody levels, which include minimum, medium, and close. The Division of Institutions has a duty to provide a secure and safe environment along with the proper care and supervision for every individual, in our custody.
The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (DAC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job.
DAC uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.
It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked, education with the date graduated, all work experience, and certificates / licenses. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account and click "Application Status." If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by management. If you are no longer under consideration, you will receive an email notification.
For technical issues with your application, please call the GovernmentJobs.com Applicant Support Help-Line at 855-524-5627.
If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact Santino East at 919-582-6110.