Correctional Commissary Operator Trainee
Recruitment # 260122-2258CO-001
Location Cheshire, CT East Lyme, CT Suffield, CT
Date Opened 1/27/2026 12:00:00 PM
Salary $48,814 - $64,805/year * New State Employees Start at Minimum
Job Type Open to the Public
Close Date 2/6/2026 11:59:00 PM
Go Back Apply View Benefits (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits)
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Introduction
The State of Connecticut (http://ct.gov ) , Department of Correction (DOC (http://ct.gov/doc) ), has a current opening at York Correctional Center (http://portal.ct.gov/doc/facility/york-ci) in East Lyme, CT, and may have future opportunities at Cheshire and Suffield, for Correctional Commissary Operator Trainees (http://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=2258CO&R1=&R3=) . This is an entry-level opportunity into state service, complete with a one-year training and cross-facility experience. Once the training program is complete, employees will be promoted to the role of Correctional Commissary Operator. (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=2311CO&R1=undefined&R3=undefined)
If you have three (3) or more years of experience in commissary or retail merchandising, wholesale sales or warehouse operations, we encourage you to read along and apply for an opportunity to work on our team!
Please note: You can be 20 years old at the time of application but will not be appointed until your 21st birthday.
What we can offer you
NEW: Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits) page!
Professional growth and development opportunities.
A healthy work/life balance (https://www.jobapscloud.com/ct/sup/EVPPDF123020.pdf) to all employees.
A Hazardous Duty pension plan (https://osc.ct.gov/retirement/) (State Employees Retirement System Tier IV).
Position highlights
Schedule: These positions are full time, 36.25 hours per week on first shift, Monday through Friday; however, the specific hours may vary by District and within the post assignments at the respective facilities.
Training: The selected candidates for hire will be required to attend a paid 14-week hazardous duty training at the Maloney Center for Training & Staff Development located in Cheshire, CT. NOTE: This is a hazardous duty (https://osc.ct.gov/retirement/sers/plan-info/sers-tier-iv/) position.
Career Trajectory & Pay: The trainee position is one year at a pay grade of CO 05 ($48,814/annually), after successful of completion of the 1-year trainee period candidate is promoted to Operator at a pay grade of CO 07 ($53,681/annually). Pay and compensation plans can be previewed here (https://portal.ct.gov/das/-/media/das/statewide-hr/comp-plans-pdfs/2024-comp-plans-pdf/2024/np-4/np-4-co-3625-hrs-2024-06-28-pdf.pdf?rev=b422923309544bb381a24105d7494bce) .
Location: Commissary Operations for the Department of Correction is handled through Districts. Each district covers multiple facilities, and selected candidates will be assigned to a district but must be willing and able to work at multiple correctional facilities (https://portal.ct.gov/doc/miscellaneous/facilities) .
DISTRICT 1
(Suffield)
DISTRICT 2
(Cheshire)
DISTRICT 3
(Niantic/East Lyme)
Cybulski CI - Enfield, CT
*MacDougall - Suffield, CT
Osborn CI - Somers, CT
Robinson CI - Enfield, CT
Walker CI - Suffield, CT
Bridgeport CC - Bridgeport CT
*Cheshire CI - Cheshire, CT
Garner CI - Newtown, CT
Manson YI - Cheshire, CT
New Haven CC - New Haven, CT Brooklyn CI - Brooklyn, CT
Corrigan CC - Uncasville, CT
Hartford CC - Hartford, CT
*York CI - Niantic/East Lyme, CT
*denotes main district location
This is a trainee position, meant to provide instruction that is beneficial to becoming a Correctional Commissary Operator. In this role you will learn:
Inventory control: identify depleted and slow moving stock, inspect goods for damage and compliance, initiate purchase orders, and keep up with changes to stock price.
Scanning/sales: arrange and distribute order slips and orders to inmates, verify account balances, scan orders into data system, coordinate deliveries and work with inmate program participants.
Security: develop security precautions and routines to protect stock and limit access to the commissary area, monitor inmate program participants, prevent inmate program participants from obtaining contraband, and stop disturbances.
Supervision: train and develop job skills with assigned inmates, supervise inmate program participants, and submit reports on inmate behavior.
More details can be found in the class specification (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=2258CO&R1=undefined&R3=undefined) .
About us
DOC is a diverse agency with a wide variety of employees from Correction Officers, to Educators, to Managers and Skilled Professionals. We value differences that make us stronger as a team and support our mission statement.
Our agency is responsible for corrections in the U.S. State of Connecticut. The agency operates 13 correctional facilities. It has its headquarters in Wethersfield. The DOC protects public safety by ensuring offenders serve their sentences of imprisonments in facilities that are safe, human, and provide re-entry programming.
Selection Plan
Be sure to select all DOC facility locations (https://portal.ct.gov/doc/miscellaneous/facilities) you are interested and commutable to.
This is a hazardous duty (https://osc.ct.gov/retirement/sers/plan-info/sers-tier-iv/) * position.
Candidates selected for hire will be required to attend a 14-week hazardous duty training at the Maloney Center for Training & Staff Development located in Cheshire, CT. This training consists of both classroom and on the job training. The Behavior Management Program training will education on the use of physical force as it applies to self-defense, and the maintenance of order and security within the inmate population. In order to graduate, trainees will be required to pass a written exam, as well as a practical skills test which will be scored.
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply ! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit (https://jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=KIT) for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69 (https://www.cga.ct.gov/2021/act/pa/pdf/2021PA-00069-R00SB-00056-PA.pdf) , resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
AFTER YOU APPLY:
Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Mackenzie Robinson at Mackenzie.Robinson (mackenzie.robinson@ct.gov?subject=260107-1308AR-001) @ct.gov.
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In a Department of Correction facility or district this class is accountable for receiving on-the-job training in the commissary operation.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Receives training to perform tasks as outlined in the specification for the class of Correctional Commissary Operator;
Receives instruction in agency policies and procedures;
Assists in performing duties involving inventory control and sales;
Assists in providing inmate supervision;
Assists in maintaining order and security;
Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
Knowledge of
principles and methods of retail purchasing techniques;
stock and inventory control methods;
prison security procedures;
bookkeeping techniques;
Skills
interpersonal skills;
oral and written communication skills;
Ability to utilize computer software.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Three (3) years of experience in commissary or retail merchandising, wholesale sales or warehouse operation.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one-half (1/2) year to a maximum of two (2) years.
Experience as a Correction Officer may be substituted for the General Experience to a maximum of two (2) years on a year for year basis.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Large scale retail and/or warehouse experience
Familiarity with loss prevention standards and have substantial experience in inventory control
Computer skills and use of Microsoft Office Suite
Strong background in customer service and resolving issues as this position will be handling complaints from potentially volatile prison population in sometimes disagreeable conditions
Hold a valid Connecticut Driver's License and clean driving record to deliver product to various correctional facilities in the region
Ability to drive a 24-foot box truck in order to deliver items to correctional facilities
Supervisory experience - will be responsible to supervise a group of inmates for their performance
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Incumbents in this class must have reached their 21st birthday.
Incumbents in this class are required to possess a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certification at the time of appointment.
Incumbents in this class may be required to successfully complete a formal training course in correctional work to develop the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the class.
Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain either a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license, a Commercial Driver's license or both.
Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made before persons are certified for appointment.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Incumbents in this class must have general good health, be free from any disease or injury which would impair health or usefulness and possess and retain sufficient physical strength, stamina, agility, endurance and visual and auditory acuity required to perform all the duties of the class.
A comprehensive medical examination, including a controlled substance screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Incumbents in this class may be exposed to significant stress of confinement within a dangerous and volatile prison population and to considerable danger of injury from assaultive and/or abusive inmates and disagreeable conditions.
Conclusion
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.
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