Jail Guards

Becoming a Vancouver Jail Guard offers a unique opportunity with a competitive salary, benefits and a flexible work schedule. The position lends itself to developing life experience and communication skills. It may also provide experience for future endeavours within the Criminal Justice System, such as policing or corrections.

• Qualifications
• Selection Process
• Training
• Work Duties
• Work Schedule
• Salary & Pay Increases
• Benefits

Qualifications

To qualify as an applicant as a Vancouver Jail Guard, you must meet the following requirements:

• minimum 19 years of age
• Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Grade 12 or High School equivalency (G.E.D.)
• physically fit – able to pass the Police Officers Physical Abilities Test (POPAT)
• excellent character
• proficient in the English language

The following are considered assets, but not pre-requisites to applying:

• previous experience as a prison guard or peace officer
• second language fluency

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Selection Process

1. written exam – 50% required to pass (Sample Written Exam, PDF)
2. modified POPAT under 4:30 (no hand strength test required)
3. intake interview (including a review of disclosure forms)
4. discretionary Sergeant's interview
5. medical exam (visual acuity requirements are flexible)
6. background investigation
7. polygraph test

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Training

Training is approximately one month in duration. Training includes, but is not limited to:

• legal studies
• use of force
• policy and procedures
  
• file management systems
• on the job "jail" training

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Work Duties

Vancouver Jail Guards

• books, searches, guards, escorts and attends to the welfare of inmates in the cell area
• monitors, controls and restricts the movement of persons within the unit
• appraises behavioural situations that may be potentially dangerous; restrains aggressive or violent inmates; responds to emergencies and maintains non-complex records
• works independently within clearly defined methods and procedures, however, unusual matters or problems are referred to a superior who reviews work performance in terms of continued alertness, attitude and adherence to established practices and procedures

Vancouver Jail Records Guards

• transfers and releases inmates, and processes and maintains related records
• schedules inmate movements, transfers and releases; liaises with a variety of internal and external contacts; participates in the work of a group of Guards
• prepares and maintains various records related to inmates in custody; reviews, enters, amends and updates information in data systems
• works independently within defined guidelines and policies and work performance is reviewed by a superior in terms of conformance to established practices and procedures and effectiveness of services rendered

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Work Schedule

Once jail guards are hired, they join a casual employee list, where the work schedule is based on staffing needs in the jail and the casual jail guard's availability. A casual part-time jail guard may advance to a full-time position dependent on vacancies and qualifications.

Full-time employement offers a work week consisting of:

• four days on, four days off
• 12-hour shifts – two days (6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) and two nights (6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.)
• 2,191 hours annually

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Salary & Pay Increases

The annual pay for Jail Guards is approximately $43,863.82 to $51,532,32.

The annual pay for Records Guards is $47,610.43 to $55,914.32.

The annual pay for a Guard Supervisor is $51,532.32 to $60,646.88.

Each pay increment is attained yearly for full-time Jail Guards, and after 2,088 hours worked for part-time casual Jail Guards. Records Guard and Jail Guard Supervisor are promotional positions.

Jail Guards

• Step 1: $20.02 hourly
• Step 2: $21.73 hourly
• Step 3: $23.52 hourly

Guard Records

• Step 1: $21.73 hourly
• Step 2: $23.52 hourly
• Step 3: $25.52 hourly

Supervisor

• Step 1: $23.52 hourly
• Step 2: $25.52 hourly
• Step 3: $27.68 hourly

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Benefits

Extensive benefits offered within the union collective agreement. Some examples are:

• 3 weeks of holidays annually (to start)
• overtime pay when working holidays
• uniforms and uniform cleaning supplied
• medical and dental coverage
• access to gym facilities (Guards are expected to be physically fit)