Correctional Officer - Temporary Positions

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

Job summary

State of Iowa Department of Corrections in Fort Madison is seeking a TEMPORARY Correctional Officer. The role balances security with opportunities to support inmate reform and reintegration into society.

The job emphasizes observation, reporting, and professional interaction with the public and victims. Applicants must meet high school graduation or GED requirements, pass psychological tests, background checks, and health screening.

Qualifications

• Minimum high school graduation, GED, or equivalent.
• Background check and post-offer health screen required.
• Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and endorsements may be required for designated positions.

Responsibilities

• Observe and document inmate behavior to ensure security and safety.
• Utilize behavioral techniques to encourage reform and problem-solving.
• Conduct security checks, patrols, and inspections of facilities.
• Instruct inmates on rules, policies, and expectations for institutional life.
• Interact with the public, visitors, and victims professionally and empathetically.
• Maintain logs, prepare reports, and enter information into the DOC system.

Skills

Social Perceptiveness

Active Listening

Monitoring

Coordination

Judgment and Decision Making

Critical Thinking

Complex Problem Solving

Speaking

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job Description

Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section.

TEMPORARY - Correctional Officer - State of Iowa Department of Corrections

Position Overview

As a Correctional Officer, you'll be the backbone of the correctional system, balancing the crucial mission of security with the opportunity to help individuals reform and reintegrate into society. This role is not only challenging but immensely rewarding, offering the chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of those in your care.

Responsibilities

• Observe and document incarcerated individual behavior to ensure effective security.
• Utilize behavioral techniques to facilitate behavior change and foster problem-solving skills.
• Conduct security checks, patrols, and inspections to maintain safe and secure correctional facilities.
• Instruct incarcerated individuals in rules, policies, procedures, and expectations for successful adaptation to life within an institution.
• Interact with the general public, visitors, and victims with professionalism and empathy.
• Maintain logs, prepare reports, and enter information into the DOC electronic record system.

Skills Required

• Social Perceptiveness – Be aware of others' reactions and understand why they react as they do.
• Active Listening – Give full attention to what others are saying, ask questions, and seek to understand points being made.
• Monitoring – Assess performance to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Coordination – Adjust actions in relation to others' actions.
• Judgment and Decision Making – Consider costs and benefits to choose the most appropriate actions.
• Critical Thinking – Use logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions.
• Complex Problem Solving – Identify complex problems and evaluate options to implement solutions.
• Speaking – Convey information effectively.

Join Us

Please apply today to become a TEMP- Correctional Officer with the State of Iowa Department of Corrections. Make a difference in the lives of others and contribute to the safety and well‑being of our communities.

The Iowa Department of Corrections is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

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.

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 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.