How to qualify

Click here to apply to join the boldest.

1) Education and Experience Requirements: By the time you are appointed to this position, you must have:

• A high school diploma (or equivalent) plus at least one (1) year of full-time paid general work experience,

     OR

• At least 39 college credits from an accredited school, completing Academy training adds 21 more credits (totaling 60),

     OR

• A high school diploma (or equivalent), plus one (1) of the following:
  • Six (6) months of honorable full-time military service in the U.S.
  • Six (6) months of full-time experience in social services, mental health counseling, or working with the homeless
  • Six (6) months in a Law Enforcement role, such as Police Officer, Peace Officer, Special Patrolman, or similar federal/state/municipal law enforcement positions,

     OR

• Two (2) years of active service in U.S. military reserves (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or National Guard) with honorable discharge (time in Individual Ready Reserve does not count towards active service requirement).

Note:  If you were educated outside the United States, you must have your foreign education evaluated to determine its equivalence to education obtained in the United States.

2) Citizenship: You must be a U.S. citizen at the time of appointment.
3) Age Requirement: You must be 21 by time of appointment.
4) Driver License Requirement: You must possess a valid learner’s permit at the time of appointment and must obtain a valid driver license from the State of New York prior to graduating from the Department of Correction Academy.
5) You must undergo and successfully pass a full background check. You may be disqualified for any activities that indicate lack of good character, including but not limited to:  

• conviction of a felony; 
• conviction of any offense, the nature of which indicates lack of good moral character or
    disposition towards violence or disorder;
• repeated convictions of an offense, where such convictions indicate a disrespect for the law;
• discharge from employment, where such discharge indicates poor behavior or inability to adjust to discipline; 
• dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces; 
• conviction for petit larceny and 
• conviction for domestic violence.

6) Medical and Psychological Assessment: You will be examined to determine whether you
can perform the essential functions of a Correction Officer.
7) Physical Testing: You must pass a qualifying physical test.
8) Drug Testing: You must pass a drug screening prior to appointment.
9) Residency Requirement: By the time of appointment, you must be a resident of the City of New York or of Nassau, Westchester, Suffolk, Orange, Rockland or Putnam counties.
10) Language Requirement: You must be able to understand and be understood in English.

NOTE: For further information regarding the information provided above, please email COApplicants@doc.nyc.gov. 

PLEASE NOTE:

This position is open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program and also meet the education and experience requirements as listed above. For more information, please email the Department’s 55-a coordinator at 55a-eligibility@doc.nyc.gov