ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

1. AGE: This examination is open to persons who have reached the age of nineteen as of the date of the examination (Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 125, Section 4). Applicants must provide proof of birth date to satisfy this requirement prior to consideration for appointment.

2. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have graduated from high school or must possess an equivalency certificate issued by the Massachusetts Department of Education; or must have served at least three years in the armed forces of the United States and the last discharge or release from service must have been under honorable conditions.

3. OTHER REQUIREMENTS AFTER PASSING THE WRITTEN EXAMINATION AND PRIOR TO AN APPOINTMENT:
" U.S. Citizenship:
 Fire Arms Permit and Special State Police Commission - Certification as a Correction Officer requires that the applicant be able to satisfy and maintain the eligibility requirements for obtaining a license to carry a firearm pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 140.
" Medical - As a condition of employment, an applicant for Correction Officer will be required to pass a psychological and medical examination that includes drug screening.
" Training - Candidates must be able to complete satisfactorily the Department of Correction's training program for Correction Officers during their nine-month probationary period (Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 125, Section 9, as amended by Chapter 468, Acts of 1979).
" Smoking - Chapter 27, Section 2. As the result of legislation (Chapter 697, Acts of 1987), persons appointed to Correction Officer positions as a result of this examination will be prohibited from smoking tobacco products after their appointment. Violators are subject to termination of employment.
" Prior Convictions/Incarcerations - No person who has been convicted of a felony or who has been convicted of a misdemeanor and has been confined in any jail or house of correction for said conviction shall be appointed to the position of Correction Officer. (Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 125, Section 9).
" Physical Abilities Test - In accordance with Chapter 32, Section 5(3(e)), of the Massachusetts General Laws, applicants will be required to pass a physical abilities test as part of the selection process. Information about this test will be distributed later.
" A current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's license or the equivalent from another state is required.

EXAMINATION CONTENT: The written examination will be designed to test, where practicable, the following abilities which have been established as qualifications for the position: ability to gather information through examining records and documents and through observing and questioning individuals; ability to read, understand, explain and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards, guidelines, and instructions/post orders governing assigned unit activities; ability to write concisely and accurately to extract facts, express thoughts clearly, and develop ideas in logical order for incident, disciplinary, climate, and other general report writing; ability to work accurately with names, numbers, codes and/or symbols, in order to communicate via two-way radios and issue keys and equipment via chit system; ability to analyze and determine the applicability of quantitative and qualitative data such as demographic breakdowns, meal counts, and activity counts, in order to draw conclusions, identify trends or problems, and make appropriate recommendations; ability to maintain accurate records in Inmate Management System (IMS), record books, and logs to track inmates, supplies, and movement of equipment, vehicles, and inmates to ensure accountability and security.