SECTION I: INTRODUCTION 

Purpose  and Scope of This Manual 

The primary purpose of this 

Physical Tasks Training Manual

 is to present the core curriculum 

and design specifications for the portions of the Adult Corrections Officer Core Course that 

pertain to the performance of physically demanding tasks.  This information is essential for 

training providers and instructors for the presentation of the Physical Tasks Unit (#22).  It is also 

of significant benefit to local corrections departments in the selection and training of new adult 

corrections officers.  Furthermore, candidates for the position may find the information in this 

manual of benefit as they prepare to apply for the corrections officer job. The manual is to be 

used in conjunction with the Adult Corrections Officer Core Training Course Manual, revised 

2000. 

Note:  This manual can be downloaded from the Board of Corrections web site: 

www.bdcorr.ca.gov

. 

Goals of the Physical Tasks Training Curriculum 

Unit #22 of the Adult Corrections Officer Core Course serves two major goals: Specifically it, 

1) provides trainees instruction on physically demanding job tasks, an opportunity to 

practice techniques, and ways to improve their abilities to perform these tasks; and, 

2) is a process to assess the trainee's current capability with regard to the performance 

of physically demanding job tasks. 

While not the primary goal of the curriculum, the training affords trainees an opportunity to 

develop a personal routine that they can pursue on their own (after placement in the corrections 

officer position) to maintain and improve their ability to perform job related physical tasks. 

Job Relatedness 

The curriculum addresses physical capabilities of major importance for performance of physically 

demanding adult corrections officer job tasks.  The curriculum provides comprehensive coverage 

of all the major job related physical capabilities for the majority of adult corrections officers 

statewide. 

Four of the practical exercises are close simulations of actual corrections officer job tasks and 

serve as the program's assessment goal (i.e., they serve as tests as well as exercises). 

Benchmark minimum performance levels have been established for these four tests.  These 

benchmark  minimums are required levels.  Most trainees will be able to exceed them, and should 

be encouraged to do so, just as they will be encouraged on the job to do more than simply meet 

minimum requirements. 

Based on the tasks for the adult corrections officer position, as determined by the statewide job 

analysis study of corrections officers, these tests are job related.  The benchmark minimums on 

these tests correspond to minimum, on the job task performance standards that have verified 

statewide applicability for adult corrections officer positions.  Therefore, these four designated 

tests and benchmark minimums are valid and meaningful tests of trainees' abilities to meet typical 

minimum physical requirements for the adult corrections officer job.  The tests determine whether 

one can perform these important job tasks at a minimally acceptable level.  Training providers 

who wish to issue a Core Course Completion certificate may only issue the certificate to those 

trainees who meet the statewide benchmarks on these four tests.