Seven corrections officer positions vacant at Richland County Jail

MANSFIELD — The Richland County Jail is seeking to fill a vacant Corrections Officer position after Corrections Officer Kenneth Moore was promoted to Corrections Sergeant last week.

In addition to Moore’s position, there are six additional corrections officer positions open at the Richland County Jail.

The previous Corrections Sergeant, Jamaal O’Dell, was also promoted to Corrections Lieutenant after Lieutenant Misty Young resigned. Young was promoted to lieutenant June 2014.

O’Dell was originally hired as a corrections officer in 1999. He graduated Crestview High School in 1997 and as an officer worked as a Field Training Officer and taught in corrections academies across the state.

He worked all three shifts within the jail. As lieutenant, O’Dell has been assigned to the second shift as its Watch Commander.

Moore, a 1979 Mansfield Senior High School graduate, was hired as a corrections officer in 2012. Prior to his employment at the jail, he served in the U.S. Army for 21 years. As sergeant, he will be assigned to second shift.

Both O’Dell and Moore were congratulated on the promotions in a press release issued by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday.

According to Major Joe Masi, the jail is budgeted for 57 corrections officers but only has 50 of those spots filled.

The total table of organization budget, which includes sergeants, lieutenants, transporters, a community officer, a captain and its assistant and a clerk, is 78.

Despite the shortage of seven corrections officers, Masi said he would not consider the jail to be understaffed.

“We have ways of filling (the shifts) with overtime,” he said.

Masi said those interested can download and fill out an application online, however, applications must be mailed or delivered to the jail at 73 East Second Street in downtown Mansfield. Mailed applications should be addressed to Captain Chris Blunk.

Applications are being reviewed as they come in, Masi said. Those that fit the criteria will be notified for an interview.

There are also two openings for 911 dispatchers at the Richland County Sheriff’s Office. Applications can be found online.