Correctional Officer

Iowa Corrections Correctional Officer

The salary for this position is $24.48/hour/$1,958.40 bi-weekly/$50,918.40 annual. If you're looking for a meaningful and steady career with excellent pay and benefits, look no further. Iowa Corrections offers a competitive salary and benefits in comparison to other public employment and other state corrections departments. Starting pay is $24.48/hour + shift differential for 2nd and 3rd shifts, and annual merit increases. You will also have the opportunity to receive training that will allow you to advance in your profession, and as you do, be compensated accordingly. In addition, there are competitive benefits such as: Paid Vacation and Sick Leave State insurance for individuals and/or eligible family members IPERS retirement system Deferred Compensation retirement savings plan Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and/or dependent care expenses This is not a job, it's a career. Iowa Corrections is a place where you will not just be working a job, but paving your career. The nature of the work is engaging, challenging, and honorable. At the Iowa Department of Corrections, you'll have opportunities for training, teamwork, and professional progress in a meaningful field.

Correctional Officer Job Duties

As part of a multi-disciplinary team, observes incarcerated individual behavior/interaction with staff, other incarcerated individuals, and visitors; communicates and documents observations to ensure effective security and consistent application of incarcerated individual change principles. Continuously interacts with incarcerated individuals, utilizing behavioral techniques to assist in the development of problem-solving skills, facilitating behavior change, role-playing, effective disapproval, providing positive reinforcement when appropriate, and instituting corrective measures through the effective use of disapproval. Patrols facilities and makes security checks; conducts rounds and incarcerated individual counts; inspects all areas of the institution and grounds for safety/security deficiencies. Conducts searches of incarcerated individuals, vehicles, packages, equipment, incarcerated individuals' cells and property for contraband items. With a balanced approach, instructs incarcerated individuals in rules, policy, procedure, expectations, and assists incarcerated individuals in the development of attitudes and skills necessary for successful adaptation to life within an institution and a pro-social lifestyle. Escorts incarcerated individuals, visitors, and staff inside/outside of the institution and verifies possession of appropriate passes or legal documents. Interacts with the general public, visitors, and victims in person or via phone. Provides information, security, and assistance. Role models pro-social behaviors that convey dignity and respect for others and acknowledge that incarcerated individuals can change their lives by development of skills and the adoption of pro-social attitudes and behaviors. Maintains logs, prepares reports, and enters information into the Department of Corrections electronic record system. Supervises incarcerated individual work assignments and evaluates work performance. Operates electronic doors, telephone systems, two-way radios, intercom, alarm systems, closed circuit TV systems, personal data assistants, computer terminals, and weapons/incarcerated individual control devices. Attends training and professional development classes.

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees' rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Graduation from high school, GED, or equivalency.

Additional Qualification Requirements

All applicants must be able to successfully pass the following:

• Psychological tests
• A background investigation check.
• A post-offer health screen administered by an institutional physician.
• A urinalysis screen for drugs.
• All new employee training during the probationary period, including local orientation, new employee orientation, and emergency preparedness training.
• Designated positions in this job class require applicants to obtain a Commercial Driver's License and endorsements within a period of time as determined by the appointing authority at the time of hire.