Correctional Officer
About The Position
The Iowa Department of Corrections’ mission is “Creating Opportunities for Safer Communities,” and Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility’s mission is “Helping People Become Their Best.” Correctional Officers support, motivate, and influence change in incarcerated individuals while contributing to a safe environment and helping people reintegrate into Iowa communities. Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility is a minimum-custody male facility housing approximately 1,150 incarcerated individuals. It focuses on re-entry through treatment, work, education, and apprenticeship opportunities. The position is performed under the general supervision of a superior. Available shifts are 2 p.m.–10 p.m. and/or 10 p.m.–6 a.m.
Requirements
- High school graduation, GED, or equivalency.
- Successfully pass psychological tests.
- Successfully pass a background investigation check.
- Successfully pass a post-offer health screen administered by an institutional physician.
- Successfully pass a drug urinalysis screen.
- Complete all new employee training during the probationary period, including local orientation, new employee orientation, and emergency preparedness training.
- For designated positions in this job class, obtain a Commercial Driver’s License and endorsements within the period determined by the appointing authority at hire.
Nice To Haves
- Ability to use interpersonal skills and appropriate communication to provide corrective action and guidance while maintaining a safe environment.
- Ability to listen openly to incarcerated individuals’ questions or grievances and resolve or refer issues to appropriate staff.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work without supervision and make appropriate decisions.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize, and be flexible.
- Ability to work professionally with outside agencies, coworkers, incarcerated individuals, and the public.
- Creative thinking, self-confidence, and strong role-modeling.
Responsibilities
- Provide security and care to incarcerated individuals and help ensure the safety of incarcerated individuals and staff.
- Enforce rules and regulations and maintain order.
- Escort incarcerated individuals and supervise activities and programs as required.
- Patrol the facility and conduct security checks, inspecting institutional areas and grounds for safety or security deficiencies.
- Search individuals, vehicles, packages, mail, equipment, clothing, and living areas for contraband.
- Verify the incarcerated individual population in assigned areas at regular or irregular intervals and participate in counts.
- Observe incarcerated individuals’ behavior and interactions with staff, other incarcerated individuals, and visitors.
- Interact with incarcerated individuals to support problem-solving skills, provide positive reinforcement, and apply corrective measures or authorized disciplinary action when necessary.
- Instruct incarcerated individuals in policies, procedures, and expectations, and help them develop attitudes and skills for adapting successfully to institutional life.
- Supervise incarcerated individuals’ work assignments and evaluate work performance.
- Report observations to other team members and departments, including treatment, medical, and education staff.
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending
- Life insurance
- Bi-weekly vacation accrual
- Separate sick leave
- Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) retirement package
- Optional 401A plan with employer contributions
- Continuous training and opportunities for professional development, personal growth, and skill development
- Opportunities for promotion
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
High school or GED
