COVID-19 Information for ADOC Employees
Team,
As we continue to navigate an ongoing national health crisis, I want to once again thank you for your commitment to the ADOC, your fellow staff, and our inmates. Because of your dedication and hard work, our Department continues to rise to the challenges of these unprecedented times. However, it is of critical importance that we remain vigilant and continue to wear our face masks, practice good hygiene, and frequently wash our hands in warm water, as the coronavirus does not “take a break.” Your health depends on it. Our health depends on it.
Below is a link to a flyer outlining the proper use of face masks – this must be printed and posted throughout our facilities in all dormitories and common areas. Masks are crucial in helping slow the spread of COVID-19, but they are useless if not used properly. All staff should be wearing their masks properly, and encouraging our inmate population to do so as well.
In addition to stressing the importance of maintaining these precautionary measures, we wanted to also share a few key announcements with you.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/cloth-face-covering.pdf
Recruitment & Hiring Update
The ADOC remains committed to maintaining our recruiting and hiring momentum. As we have worked to comply with all necessary health guidelines to protect our staff and inmates, our hiring process has evolved over the past few months – most notably in the different ways we are hiring BCO and COT candidates:
- Basic Correctional Officers (BCOs) will now apply and complete the hiring process almost completely online. BCO candidates should NOT attend an on-site recruitment event. For the time being, on-sites will only be open to COT candidates to help with social distancing efforts. Please note the requirements for BCO candidates will not change and they still will be required to meet with representatives of ADOC’s Recruiting and Law Enforcement Services Division teams for appropriate screenings and assessments.
- Correctional Officer Trainees (COTs) may begin the application process online, but will continue to be required to attend an on-site hiring event to complete a physical fitness test and other requirements. On-site recruitment events will resume this week at Limestone Correctional Facility (6/12) and Staton Correctional Facility (6/26). Please be aware that our recruitment incentive program, which offers up to $500 to ADOC employees who successfully recruit applicants for the COT position, remains active.
Any interested applicants should submit their contact information to ADOCJOBS.US, and will be contacted by an ADOC recruiter within two business days. COT candidates are not required to submit their information online. We ask that you encourage friends and family to apply for positions with our Department.
Finally, we are excited to share that our training programs have resumed. Our most recent BCO class of 133 trainees are currently undergoing training through the Alabama Corrections Academy (ACA), which now stretches across seven locations in Alabama in order to comply with health and safety precautions.
Employee Call Center
As a reminder, the ADOC Employee Call Center (1-800-672-3076) is an excellent resource should you have any COVID-related work questions. The Employee Call Center’s current hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday.
Employee Education with the Office of Health Services
The ADOC’s Office of Health Services staff continues to visit facilities with confirmed cases of COVID-19 to provide staff members with educational resources and to answer any questions they may have. Please use this opportunity to learn more about how to best prevent the spread of the virus.
Program Resumption
The ADOC has begun the process of resuming many rehabilitative programs led by ADOC and contracted health services staff within its facilities. At this time, volunteer-led rehabilitative programs remain suspended. Programs facilitated by ADOC and/or Wexford staff have resumed, as long as the required distancing and other precautions are met. The ADOC continues to assess resuming other operational and educational activities.
Emergency Paid Leave Reminder
As a reminder, the ADOC and several other state agencies are exempt from paid leave provisions within the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and FMLA Plus. However, last month the ADOC secured a new emergency leave exception to our exemption that will provide up to 80 hours of paid leave in the event you, as an ADOC employee, qualify.
In order to qualify for this emergency paid leave, you must meet at least one of the below criteria:
- You have tested positive for COVID-19 and have provided supporting medical documentation.
- You have been directed by a medical authority (e.g., the Alabama Department of Public Health or a physician) to self-quarantine for a period of time and have provided supporting medical documentation.
- You have been sent home from work by the proper ADOC authority for issues related to COVID-19 (e.g., you are running a fever of 100.4 or higher upon arrival at work).
This exemption is retroactive and went into effect as of May 1, 2020. If you have questions, or if you qualify to take emergency leave as a result of one or more of the above criteria, please contact your supervisor or manager.
Again, thank you all for your commitment to the Department and your commitment to helping slow the spread of COVID-19 in our facilities. I am extremely proud of this team’s perseverance and am honored to serve alongside each of you.
Very best regards,
Commissioner Dunn
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