Correctional Officer

State of Montana; Miles City (MT); On-site; USD 36,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Leave & Holidays

Retirement Plan

Job summary

The Montana Department of Corrections seeks a dedicated Correctional Officer to safeguard inmates, staff and visitors at Miles City facility. This role emphasizes safety, security, supervision of inmate welfare, and applying policy with empathy and firmness.

Candidates must have a high school diploma, a valid Montana driver’s license, and POST Basic Certification after training; background checks and citizenship requirements apply. This is a full-time state position with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Valid Montana driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Ensure overall safety and security of inmates, staff and visitors.
• Oversee welfare and basic needs of inmates with policy-based oversight.
• Apply training and communication skills to de-escalate situations when needed.

Skills

Listening skills

Verbal communication

Empathy & compassion

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Job Description - Correctional Officer (26142129)

The Montana Department of Corrections (DOC) is creating a safer Montana through Accountability, Rehabilitation and Empowerment. If you want to work making positive changes in your community, the Montana Department of Corrections is the place for you

The Public Safety Division operates Montana's prisons safely and securely and provides supervision and support for offenders in the community through its Probation and Parole Bureau. The work performed in this division is integral to the department's mission to create a safer Montana through accountability, rehabilitation, and empowerment. Make a difference! Join us today!

The Correctional Officer is responsible for the overall safety and security of inmates, staff, and visitors of the facility. This position helps ensure the institution is operated for the safety of the public, as well as the incarceration treatment and rehabilitation of the inmate population, and oversees all aspects of the basic needs and welfare of youth offenders assigned to the facility utilizing special training, listening skills, verbal communication skills, the ability to provide empathy and compassion as situations warrant, tact, knowledge of policies, the inmate, the situation at hand, motivational techniques, and the ability to create, foster and maintain a degree of trust.

QUALIFICATIONS

The knowledge, skills and abilities for this position are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to:

High School Diploma

Valid Driver's License

PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER

This position requires POST Basic Certification after attending training at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and successfully completing one year of employment with the Department of Corrections. In addition to the training and experience requirements, to be POST Certified, the successful candidate(s) must:

Be a citizen of the United States of America.

Be at least 18 years of age.

Be fingerprinted for a criminal history search.

Not been convicted of a crime for which could have led to being imprisoned in a federal or state penitentiary.

Be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background screen.

Have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Possess or be eligible for a valid Montana driver’s license.

NOTICES

Because of the need to fill open positions quickly, the Pine Hills Correctional Facility uses a qualified Correctional Officer candidate pool from which candidates may be considered when an opening occurs. Qualified candidates are retained in the applicant pool and considered for open positions for up to six months from the date of job interview.

The Montana Department of Corrections uses a non-scored selection process. For this requisition, equal consideration is given to seniority (33 1/3%), qualifications (33 1/3%), and capabilities (33 1/3%).

Brady Act & Lautenberg Amendment

Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence or is the subject of a court order of protection for “an intimate partner or child of such intimate partner” cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, U.S.C., Section 922(g)(91)). Candidates who have been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence or were issued a court order of protection are not qualified for this position.

Prison Rape Elimination Act

Any person who has 1) engaged in sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution; 2) been convicted of engaging in or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; or 3) been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in activity as described in the latter, are not qualified for this position.

Tobacco Free

The use of all tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco products and tobacco substitutes is prohibited in Department of Corrections buildings. In secure care facilities possession of tobacco products is prohibited.

Applicant Pool Statement

If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment: This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Salary

26.01 - 29.36 Hourly

Telework Eligibility: Not Telework Eligible

Benefits Package Eligibility: Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings

1

Employee Status

Regular

Schedule

Full-Time

Job Type

Standard

Shift

Variable

Travel

Yes, 5 % of the Time

Primary Location

Miles City Agency : Department of Corrections Union : Montana Federation of Public Employees

Posting Date

Oct 12, 2026, 6:00:00 AM

Closing Date

Nov 16, 2026, 6:59:00 AM

Required Application Materials : None

Contact Name : John Roy | Contact Email : [e-mail] | Contact Phone : [phone] Anyone who needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.