How to make a job sound appealing

So, I came across a posting for a job* with my state, doing ADA compliance for the corrections department. You'd research appropriate ADA accommodations, advise on proper methods for compliance, review policy, investigate inmate grievances, etc.

It actually sounds interesting, and important, in a social-justice-y kind of way (if, like me, you think there are quite a lot of problems with the nation's prison system).

I mean, it doesn't pay well, it doesn't even technically require a J.D. (a paralegal certificate is sufficient),and I'm sure there's a high potential for unpleasantness. This is by no means a dream job - just something I came across and thought, "Hmm, interesting."

And then I read the conditions of employment, which require you (among other things) to have the ability to:

• Lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist;
• Stabilize another person to accomplish a controlled take down;
• Use arms, palms of hands, shins, and feet to deliver blows;
• Withstand impact (slow speed or with a safety bag) on own body from strikes/blows;
• Swing a baton in a striking technique;
• Rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for striking with foot or using a defensive tactic;
• Get down on one or both knees and up again with multiple repetitions;...
• See and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breeches[sic] in safety and security;
• Seize, hold, control or subdue violent or assaultive persons and defend oneself or others to prevent injury;
• Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person and/or restraint situations;
• Work in an environment with fluctuating noise and temperature (hot and cold) which may include working outdoors in inclement weather and/or concrete floor/wall work settings.

Oh, and:

• Positions that have direct contact with offenders may be exposed to Oleoresin Capsicum;
• TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire.

Oh. Um. Yeah.

So, clearly, I would not be a very good candidate for this job. I am way too much of a privileged suburban white girl delicate flower wimp.  

(Which is commentary on ME, not on the job.)

(It also kind of reminds me of how when I told my primary care physician that I was going to law school, she instantly started reeling off all the vaccinations I would have to get if I would be going into prisons.)

*No, I'm not looking for a job - I just always look at postings, though, to see what's out there.

Comments

[Schlupp]

"address and respond to potential breeches" ;-) nice mental picture.

[joy]

Now I know the formal term for pepper spray!

[life_of_a_fool]

Aw, see, I wish you did want that job. Because I'd love to read you blog about it (in a professionally responsible way, of course).

The requirements sound like standard CO requirements. I wonder if it's a union job and the same union covers "you" and the CO's? "You"'d never be in a position to use those skills anyway -- I'm sure you'd have a CO in spitting distance, if not closer, anytime you were with an inmate. It's not like public defenders have to meet those requirements (they don't, do they?).

Oh, and is Oleoresin Capsicum pepper spray?? I totally didn't get that until I read Joy's comment.

(

[heu mihi]

I would LOVE to respond to potential breeches. Sounds even better than actual breeches.

[Historiann]

Is it ironic that the job advising the corrections dept. on ADA compliance can't actually be performed by anyone with any level of physical disability?

Just askin'.

[New Kid on the Hallway]

l_o_a_f - yeah, I figured those were the requirements for COs generally, and that the real COs would be right there. Though I think investigating ADA claims could get a bit more hands-on. (Honestly, I'm not actually sure that state correctional officers here even have a union. I can't find ANY reference ANYWHERE on the web to one, even when I can find unions for other state COs and for federal COs. I live in a very union-unfriendly state!)

And honestly, I do think it would be a fascinating and important (though potentially incredibly discouraging) job. I'm just don't think I would be very good at it!

Historiann - I guess it is ironic, but it's true that there are some jobs for which there aren't reasonable accommodations for most kinds of physical disabilities, and I can understand why CO would be one of them (and also why this job would be classified as a kind of CO). Don't know how you could get around that.