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Jail Control Room Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Jail Control Room information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a jail control room operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Jail Control Room Operator, you need attention to detail, situational awareness, and a high school diploma or equivalent; prior experience in corrections or security is often preferred. Familiarity with surveillance systems, intercoms, alarm systems, and jail management software is typically required. Strong communication skills, composure under pressure, and sound judgment are vital soft skills for effectively coordinating responses and maintaining safety. These skills and qualities are essential for ensuring facility security, quick incident response, and the safety of staff and inmates.

What does a jail control room operator do in a jail?

A jail control room operator monitors and manages security systems, communications, and inmate movement within the jail. They use surveillance equipment, such as cameras and intercoms, and coordinate with staff to ensure safety and security around the clock. Strong attention to detail and communication skills are essential for this role.

What is the difference between Jail Control Room vs Jail Security Officer?

AspectJail Control RoomJail Security Officer
CredentialsSecurity training, communication skillsSecurity training, physical fitness
Work EnvironmentControl room, monitoring stationsPatrols, inmate supervision
Employer & IndustryCorrectional facilities, prisonsCorrectional facilities, prisons
Primary RoleMonitoring, communication, coordinationInmate supervision, security enforcement

The Jail Control Room focuses on monitoring and coordinating activities within the prison through communication systems, while Jail Security Officers are responsible for supervising inmates and maintaining security on the ground. Both roles are essential for prison safety but differ in their daily tasks and work environment.

What is a jail control room operator?

Jail Control Room operators are responsible for monitoring and managing the security systems within a correctional facility. They control doors, surveillance cameras, alarms, and communication systems to ensure the safety of inmates, staff, and visitors. Their role often includes responding to emergencies, coordinating with correctional officers, and maintaining logs of activities. This position requires strong attention to detail, the ability to remain calm under pressure, and familiarity with security protocols.

What are the main responsibilities of a jail control room operator during a typical shift?

A Jail Control Room operator is primarily responsible for monitoring security cameras, controlling access to secure areas, and communicating with correctional officers throughout the facility. On a typical shift, they coordinate inmate movements, respond to alarms or emergencies, and ensure that all security protocols are followed. This role involves high attention to detail and requires quick, calm decision-making in stressful situations. Operators work closely with other staff to maintain a safe and secure environment for both inmates and personnel.
What job categories do people searching Jail Control Room jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Jail Control Room jobs in Tennessee are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Jail Control Room jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Jail Control Room job openings:
Infographic showing various Jail Control Room job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Correctional Officer - Recruitment Incentive - Direct Hire

BOP: General Practitioner

Memphis, TN • On-site

$43K/yr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.
Qualifications:

To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements:
Education:
GL-04:
Successfully completed education above the high school level in any field may be substituted for general experience at the rate of 30 semester hours for one year of experience.
GL-05: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
GL-06: 9 semester hours or 14 quarter hours of graduate level education in a major study in criminal justice, social science, or other field related to this position.
GL-07: One full academic year of graduate education with major study in criminal justice, social science, or other field related to the position is qualifying for GL-07.
GL-08: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for this position.
OR
Experience:
GL-04:
At least 2 years of full-time general experience, one year of which is equivalent to the GL-03 level in the Federal service.

General experience is defined as progressively responsible work that demonstrates the ability to:

  • Follow and apply rules, procedures, or regulations.
  • Use sound judgment in decision-making.
  • Communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
  • Maintain composure and take appropriate action in emergency or stressful situations.

GL-05: At least 3 years of full-time general experience, one year of which was equivalent to the GL-04 grade level. This experience must have demonstrated the aptitude for acquiring the qualifications required for correctional work, and, in addition, demonstrate the possession of personal attributes important to the effectiveness of correctional officers, such as:

  • Ability to meet and deal with people of differing backgrounds and behavioral patterns.
  • Ability to be persuasive in selling and influencing ideas.
  • Ability to lead, supervise, and instruct others.
  • Sympathetic attitude towards the welfare of others.
  • Ability to reason soundly and to think out practical solutions to problems.
  • Ability to make decisions and act quickly, particularly under stress.
  • Poise and self-confidence, and ability to remain calm during emergency situations.

For examples of qualifying general experience, please refer to the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section of this announcement.

GL-06: You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade. Specialized experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled.
Examples of occupations where specialized experience may have been gained:

  • Correctional Officer
  • Detention Officer
  • Police Officer
  • Border Patrol Agent
  • State Trooper
  • Sheriff
  • Park Ranger
  • Deputy Sheriff supervising inmates in a jail
  • Mental Health Counselor in a Residential Facility

Some examples of this qualifying experience are:

  • Experience with instructing inmates with proper housekeeping and sanitation.
  • Experience working as a Police Officer responding to domestic disturbances and issuing citations for law violations.
  • Experience in investigating crime scenes as a State Trooper.
  • Experience as a Mental Health Worker in a Mental Health Lockdown facility.

GL-07: You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade. Specialized experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled.
Examples of occupations where specialized experience may have been gained:

  • Correctional Officer
  • Jailer
  • Detention Officer
  • Deputy Sheriff supervising inmates in a jail.
  • Military Corrections (Brig, Internment/Resettlement Specialist, etc.

Some examples of this qualifying experience are:

  • Providing supervision, care and security of inmates in a correctional environment.
  • Experience supervising inmates throughout the institution and providing instructions related to institutional procedures and sanitation.
  • Experience with enforcing rules and regulations governing correctional institution security, inmate accountability and inmate conduct.
  • Experience with conducting various count procedures of inmates.
  • Experience working various correctional posts, assignments (such as Control Room, Rear-gate, Housing Units, etc.).

GL-08: You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade. Specialized experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled. Experience must have been gained in a correctional facility with responsibilities in correctional treatment, care, custody, and control of inmates.
Some examples of this qualifying experience are:

  • Experience with assignments made to those areas requiring the maximum skill and expertise in dealing with inmates, the public, and the security of the institution.
  • Experience in supervising and instructing inmates regarding proper sanitation, personal hygiene and work habits.
  • Experience in maintaining the control and discipline of inmates in such areas as the auditorium, housing units, segregation, recreation areas, dining rooms, etc.
  • Experience in having responsibility for the custody and control of inmates who require special handling.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience:
GL-04 Only:
Have a combination of education and experience. This experience must have equipped you with the qualifications to perform the major duties of this position as described above.

AND
Medical Requirement:
The Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons has established the following medical requirements for Correctional Officer positions:
The duties of these positions involve unusual mental and nervous pressure and require arduous physical exertion involving prolonged walking and standing, restraining of prisoners in emergencies, and participating in escape hunts. Applicants must be physically capable of performing efficiently the duties of these positions and be free from such defects or disease as may constitute employment hazards to themselves or others. The duties of a Correctional Officer are arduous; and sound health as well as physical fitness is required.
If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as the number of hours worked per week) spent in activities.
**Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.**

Education:

See Qualifications Section for education requirements, if applicable.

ONLY if education is a requirement/substitution for specialized experience, applicant MUST upload legible transcripts as verification of educational requirement. Transcripts MUST be uploaded and electronically linked from USAJOBS at the time you apply and MUST include identifying information to include School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, Click Here.

Foreign Education: For information regarding foreign education requirements, please see Foreign Diploma and Credit Recognition at the U.S. Department of Education website: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

If you are selected for this position and qualified based on education (i.e. basic education requirement and/or substitution of education), you will be required to provide an OFFICIAL transcript prior to your first day on duty.

Employment Type: OTHER