Correctional Officer

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Newton (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Iowa – Executive Branch in Newton, Iowa seeks a security officer to protect facilities and ensure safety within the institution. The role involves patrolling multiple areas, conducting security checks, and responding to potential threats in coordination with staff and supervisors.

Responsibilities include escorting offenders, visitors, and staff, maintaining detailed logs, preparing reports, and operating electronic security and communication systems as part of daily duties.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school, GED, or equivalency.

Responsibilities

• Patrols facilities and conducts security checks across the institution.
• Inspects all areas for safety and security deficiencies, and searches individuals, vehicles, packages, and property for contraband.
• Escorts offenders, visitors and staff inside/outside the institution and verifies passes or legal documents.
• Maintains logs, prepares reports, and enters information into the offender record system.

Skills

Active Listening

Monitoring

Critical Thinking

Social Perceptiveness

Speaking

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job Description

Newton, Iowa is a progressive, family friendly community, a shining star of Central Iowa and a place to call home. Whether you’re raising a family, starting a business or building a home, you’ll want to get to know Newton. The community has many great amenities aside from excellent schools. Unique entertainment, beautiful art displays and parks, and great attractions for families to enjoy.

Job Description

Newton, Iowa is a progressive, family friendly community, a shining star of Central Iowa and a place to call home. Whether you’re raising a family, starting a business or building a home, you’ll want to get to know Newton. The community has many great amenities aside from excellent schools. Unique entertainment, beautiful art displays and parks, and great attractions for families to enjoy.

This Position

Patrols facilities and makes security checks; inspects all areas of the institution (e.g., perimeter towers, control centers, cell areas, rooms, halls, dormitories, recreation/work areas and grounds) for safety/security deficiencies; searches individuals, vehicles, packages, mail, equipment, clothing and offender quarters for contraband items. Escorts offenders, visitors and staff inside/outside of the institution and verifies possession of appropriate passes or legal documents; verifies offender population in an assigned area at regular/irregular intervals and participate in offender counts. Interacts with the general public, visitors and victims in person or via phone. Provides information, security, and assistance. Observes offender behavior/interaction with staff, other offenders, and visitors; communicates observations to supervisory and program staff to ensure effective security and consistent application of offender change principles. Continuously interacts with offenders, assisting in the development of problem-solving skills, providing positive reinforcement when appropriate, and instituting corrective measures (informal counseling or sanctions, formal disciplinary action, or physical force) when necessary and as authorized by law/policy. Instructs offenders in policy, procedure, expectations, and assists offenders in the development of attitudes and skills necessary for successful adaptation to life within an institution. Role models pro-social attitudes and behaviors that convey respect for others and the acknowledgement that offenders 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 DOC electronic offender record system. Supervises offender work assignments and evaluates work performance. Operates electronic doors, telephone systems, two-way radios, intercom, alarm systems, closed circuit TV systems, and computer terminals and uses weapons/offender control devices. Attends training classes and seminars; may train or serve as team leader for other staff.

Skills

• Active Listening – Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Monitoring – Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Social Perceptiveness – Awareness of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Speaking – Talking to others to convey information effectively.

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.