Correctional Officer

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Coralville (IA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa Medical and Classification Center is a state facility handling adult male offenders. This role supports facility patrols, control center operations, and transportation/escort duties to maintain safety and order on campus.

The job involves monitoring security systems, conducting checks, and coordinating with staff to enforce rules and procedures. Candidates must pass background checks, health screenings, and drug testing; some positions require a Commercial Driver's License.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED is required.
• Background investigation checks and health screening are required.
• Post-offer screenings and drug testing may apply.

Responsibilities

• Patrol facilities, conduct security checks, and perform counts of incarcerated individuals.
• Monitor doors, alarms, CCTV, and security equipment; ensure safety and order.
• Inspect areas for safety deficiencies and respond to incidents professionally.
• Transport inmates on grounds and assist with escorts as needed.

Skills

Observational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Electronic security systems

Radio communication devices

Job description

Job Description

Iowa Medical and Classification Center (IMCC) serves as the reception and classification center for all those entering the adult male institutional corrections system, which is estimated to be 400-500 new commitments every month that are then processed on to the other facilities. Iowa Medical and Classification Center is a multi-faceted facility that employs a diversified professional workforce providing comprehensive services to both offenders and patients. A medium security general population unit is in operation at IMCC, and the Center also runs the only licensed forensic psychiatric hospital in the state, providing inpatient psychiatric and evaluation services to non-adjudicated patients. An additional unit consisting of 178 medical and psychiatric beds was added in 2007 to meet the increasing mental health and medical needs of the correctional population. At Iowa Medical & Classification Center, we offer a wide range of career opportunities in various departments; i.e., Security, Treatment, Medical, Administrative, Business, Records, Maintenance/Trades, Warehousing, Food Service and other support areas.

Security Controls/Control Center Operations

– Monitor keys, radios and other security equipment, fire system alarms systems, distress calls, and control of interior and exterior door locks. Operates electronic doors, telephone systems, two-way radios, intercom, alarm systems, closed circuit TV systems, personal data assistants, computer terminals and uses weapons/incarcerated individual control devices.

• Facility Patrol
• Patrol 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, and incarcerated individuals’ cells and property for contraband items.
• Perimeter Patro l
• Patrol perimeter on a periodic basis assuring perimeter security, assuring fences are secure, monitoring vehicle traffic, and radio communication with other staff; search vehicles entering or leaving grounds; provide security, safety and fire watch for all buildings on grounds. This position is considered a weapons post.
• Transportation/Escort services
• Transport inmates on grounds and off-grounds. 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 in a professional and courteous manner. Provides information, security, and assistance.

Interpersonal Interactions and Core Correctional Practices –

• Demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding and utilization of skills of core correctional practice.
• Continuously interacts with incarcerated individual, 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.
• Through behavioral modeling and interactions, serve as a change agents when working with incarcerated individuals to prepare them for successful community reentry.

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 www.e-verify.gov .

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Graduation from high school, GED, or equivalency.

Additional Qualification Requirements

• 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.