Correctional Officer

Newton, IA
Newton Correctional Facility

Salary: $44,532.80 – $65,998.40 Annually.

Closing Date: 2/12/2024.

Position Summary:

Maintains safety and security within an Iowa Department of Corrections correctional facility; supports department mission, vision, and values with integrity and commitment while preparing incarcerated individuals for successful community reentry; develops quality relationships and serves as a change agent when working with incarcerated individuals; performs related work as required.

Essential Functions:

  • As part of a multi-disciplinary team, observes incarcerated individual behavior/interaction with staff, other incarcerated individuals, and visitors; communicates and documents observations to ensure effective security and consistent application of incarcerated individual change principles.
  • Continuously interacts with incarcerated individuals, 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.
  • Patrols 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, incarcerated individuals’ cells and property for contraband items.
  • With a balanced approach, instructs incarcerated individuals in rules, policy, procedure, expectations, and assists incarcerated individuals in the development of attitudes and skills necessary for successful adaptation to life within an institution and a pro-social lifestyle.
  • 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. Provides information, security, and assistance.
  • Role models pro-social behaviors that convey dignity and respect for others and acknowledge that incarcerated individuals 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 record system.
  • Supervises incarcerated individual work assignments and evaluates work performance.
  • Operates electronic doors, telephone systems, two-way radios, intercom, alarm systems, closed circuit TV systems, personal data assistants, computer terminals, and weapons/incarcerated individual control devices.
  • Attends training and professional development classes.

Requirements:

  • Graduation from high school, GED, or equivalency.