High Risk Unit Officer - Probation/Parole Officer 3

State-of-Iow; Mount Pleasant (IA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Iowa Department of Corrections seeks a High Risk Unit Officer to engage with high-risk individuals, ensure compliance, and support public safety in the community. This uniform peace officer position includes an assigned vehicle and equipment.

Responsibilities cover field operations, investigations, home visits, searches, warrants, and reporting to courts and parole boards, plus collaboration with law enforcement and service providers to promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field.
• Experience equal to three years of full-time work in a human services or criminal justice field, as an alternative path.
• Thirty months of full-time work as a Probation/Parole Officer 2, if currently in the state executive branch.

Responsibilities

• Lead Field Operations & Maintain a Strong Community Presence through investigations, surveillance, home visits, pursuit, apprehension, and arrests of high-risk individuals under correctional supervision.
• Apply advanced law enforcement skills to ensure compliance, mitigate risks, and promote public safety; conduct home visits, searches, field checks, and execute warrants following legal protocols.
• Respond with urgency and professionalism in emergencies, disturbances, and crisis situations, using de-escalation and defensive tactics as needed.
• Balance enforcement with rehabilitation by employing treatment-and-accountability approaches, including cognitive-behavioral interventions, motivational interviewing, and case planning.
• Conduct specialized supervision for individuals with complex needs including substance use; perform urinalysis/breathalyzer tests and maintain supervision compliance.
• Prepare and present high-quality written and oral reports for courts, parole boards, administrative hearings, and law enforcement agencies.

Skills

Investigation

Surveillance

De-escalation

Reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

ILEA Certified Preferred

Are you ready to take on one of the most dynamic and impactful roles in community corrections?

As a High Risk Unit Officer with the Iowa Department of Corrections, you will be on the front lines of public safety—engaging with high-risk individuals, ensuring compliance, and making a real difference in your community.

This challenging and rewarding position is ideal for those who thrive in high-stakes environments and are committed to law enforcement, rehabilitation, and public safety.

This is a uniform peace officer position with all equipment provided and an assigned vehicle.

In this role, you will:

• Lead Field Operations & Maintain a Strong Community Presence – The majority of job duties are conducted in the field, where you will conduct investigations, surveillance, home visits, pursuit, apprehension, and arrests of high-risk individuals under correctional supervision.

• Apply Advanced Law Enforcement Skills – Utilize expert knowledge of the criminal justice system, Iowa Code, and evidence-based practices to ensure compliance, mitigate risks, and promote public safety. Conduct home visits, searches, field checks, and execute warrants while adhering to legal protocols.

• Respond with Urgency & Professionalism – Act swiftly and decisively in emergencies, disturbances, and crisis situations, ensuring community safety while using de-escalation and defensive tactics as necessary.

• Balance Enforcement with Rehabilitation – Utilize a treatment-and-accountability approach to encourage and empower clients in making positive life changes. Conduct cognitive-behavioral interventions, motivational interviewing, and case planning to support rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.

• Conduct Specialized Supervision – Assess and monitor individuals with complex needs, including substance use issues. Perform urinalysis/breathalyzer tests, implement graduated sanctions and incentives, and maintain compliance with supervision conditions.

• Prepare & Present Critical Reports – Deliver high-quality written and oral reports for courts, parole boards, administrative hearings, and law enforcement agencies, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and adherence to Iowa Code and department policies.

• Collaborate with Law Enforcement & Community Partners – Build strong working relationships with courts, law enforcement, and service providers to facilitate client reentry, supervision, and public safety efforts.

• Utilize Law Enforcement Tools & Tactics – Conduct searches, monitor suspicious activity, detain and arrest individuals when necessary, and operate law enforcement vehicles to effectively carry out duties.

This is not your typical 9-to-5 job—it’s a career of purpose, challenge, and service. This high-impact career offers variety, challenge, and the opportunity to directly contribute to public safety.

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.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field, and experience equal to three years of full-time work in a human services or criminal justice field.
2. A total of seven years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience.
3. Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes thirty months of full-time work as a Probation/Parole Officer 2.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.