Trainee Corrections Officer

Work Shift: Day shift for the initial 6-week training academy, then the shift will be assigned

Days of Work: Monday - Friday for the initial 6-week training academy, then the schedule will be assigned

Travel Required: Travel to the DOC Central Office location in St. Paul will be required during portions of the initial 6-week training academy

Salary for Trainee-Corrections Officer*: $17.90 per hour during the initial 6-week training academy (for new hires to the State of Minnesota)

After successful completion of the 6-week training academy, Trainees will move to the Corrections Officer 1 classification, and the rate of pay will remain the same.  Corrections Officer 1 employees are promoted to Corrections Officer 2 after successfully completing a 1-year probationary period.  (*NOTE:  Current state employees may contact Sue Ricci at susan.ricci@state.mn.us or 651.361.7298 for more information related to rate of pay.)

Current Salary Range for Corrections Officer 1: $17.90 to $21.25 per hour ($37,375 to $44,370 per year)

Current Salary Range for Corrections Officer 2: $19.53 to $28.23 per hour ($40,779 to $58,944 per year)

Classified Status: Non-status during the initial 6-week training academy. Classified status thereafter.

Connect 700 Program Eligible: No

Job Summary

    Job Summary  

Are you seeking a career path, competitive pay and great benefits?  Become a Corrections Officer with the Minnesota Department of Corrections (MN DOC)!  No corrections experience is necessary—we will train you to maintain security, supervise offender activities, and promote offender change within one of the state’s correctional facilities!  The training includes a two-week academy program in St. Paul, and four weeks of training at the Minnesota Correctional Facility where you will work.  You will be prepared, confident, and ready to excel at this rewarding line of work.

The Corrections Officers in the department are responsible for providing a controlled setting which ensures a safe and secure environment for people who either work, visit, or reside within the correctional facility.  To incorporate an integrated approach to offender/resident management and programming that engages offenders/residents in a process of change.  To engage offenders/residents in the transition process from the point of intake through the incarceration period which prepares the offender/resident for successful release in to the community.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

1. Ensure the safety, security and control of the institution.
2. Provide supervision of offenders/residents ensuring the environment encourages positive behavior and prepares offenders/residents for a successful transition upon release.
3. Give and receive written and/or oral information in a clear, understandable, accurate, timely and dependable manner, so that information can be evaluated, sound decisions are made and appropriate action is initiated.
4. To be competent in the use of all equipment ensuring they are operated in an efficient and safe manner. This includes, but is not limited to, security, electrical, mechanical equipment and electronics.
5. Prepare for and respond to any unusual or emergency situations utilizing the appropriate Incident Command System (ICS) procedures ensuring the safety, accountability, welfare and security of the general public, institution, on-site personnel and offenders/residents.
6. Follow all agency policies, state statutes, and statewide policies.  Support the Vision, Mission, Values, Goals and initiatives of the DOC.

Applicants will take the REACT test—a national test that ensures you are a good candidate to work with offenders, complete an interview, and pass a background check.  If a position is offered, you will also be asked to complete a pre-placement physical.

Eligible candidates will be placed on a list to fill future Trainee-Corrections Officer vacancies at a Minnesota Correctional Facility in Faribault, Lino Lakes, Oak Park Heights, Red Wing, Rush City, Shakopee, St. Cloud, Stillwater, Togo and Willow River/Moose Lake.  Qualified applicants will remain on the eligible list for a period of at least one year.

Qualifications

    Minimum Qualifications:

To qualify for further consideration and assessment, you must:

1. Be at least 18 years of age to work at an adult facility.  Must be 21 years or older to work at a juvenile facility (MCF-Red Wing) unless enrolled or have completed course work in a post-secondary education program to pursue a degree in a behavioral science; AND
2. Possess a high school diploma or GED; AND
3. Be able to pass a criminal history background check, which will be conducted prior to hire.  In order to pass, you must have successfully completed all sentencing and/or restitution requirements of law enforcement jurisdictions, including probation; AND
4. Be able to possess a firearm.

In addition, you must possess at least ONE of the following in order to qualify:

1. Completion of an Associate degree in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Law, Law Enforcement, Psychology, Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, or a Human Services related field with an emphasis in corrections/criminal justice; OR
2. Completion of a Bachelor's degree in ANY field from an accredited college/university; OR
3. One or more years of full-time work experience in ANY field (NOTE: the work experience does NOT have to be in Corrections); OR
4. Two or more years of part-time (at least 20 hours per week) work experience in ANY field (NOTE: the work experience does NOT have to be in Corrections); OR
5. Honorable discharge from active military duty in any branch of the United States' Armed Forces; OR
6. Current member in good standing in any branch of the United States' Armed Forces; OR
7. Successful completion of an internship in a Minnesota Correctional Facility in a related security area.

REACT Test and Interview Process:

If you meet the above minimum qualifications, you may apply for further consideration. The MN DOC will notify you by e-mail with information on how to schedule an appointment to take the REACT test within a few days to one week of your applying to this job posting.  There is limited space available and reservations for testing will be on a first come, first serve basis.

The REACT test will be administered by the MN DOC at its Central Office location in St. Paul OR at another location as determined by the MN DOC (the address and information will be given at the time your appointment is scheduled to take the test). The test is comprised of the following components: human relations (situational video test), counting, reading and report writing.

If you pass all components of the REACT test, you will be invited back to interview in St. Paul.  Please ensure that your contact information (i.e. e-mail address, mailing/home address, cell and work phone numbers) is up-to-date so that we are able to contact you.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred qualifications are desired, but not required, upon hire. 

1. Completion of a Bachelor's degree program or higher in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Law, Law Enforcement, Psychology, Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, or a Human Services related field with an emphasis in corrections/criminal justice.
2. One to three years of full-time or full-time equivalent experience supervising criminal justice-involved clients (e.g. corrections officer, security counselor, jail administrator, probation officer, case manager, etc.) in a corrections or secured environment.
3. More than three years of full-time or full-time equivalent experience supervising criminal justice-involved clients (e.g. corrections officer, security counselor, jail administrator, probation officer, case manager, etc.) in a corrections or secured environment.
4. Military service (either honorably discharged or currently serving in good standing) in any branch of the United States' Armed Forces in active duty for 181 consecutive days or more.

Physical and Training Requirements

If you are offered a job, you must pass a pre-placement physical, which is based on the job responsibilities.  These components consist of a physical examination, a drug test, tuberculosis screening, and/or respirator clearance.  At the time of the job offer, a copy of the Physical Demands Analysis (PDA) will be sent to finalist for review and signature. For a copy of the PDA prior to the job offer, contact Sue Ricci at susan.ricci@state.mn.us or 651/361-7298.  In addition, an employee must receive a level 3 area exposure to Freeze+P (agency issued chemical irritant) which is a core training requirement of the MN DOC.

Additional Requirements

The selection process will include screening candidates for Trainee-Corrections Officer positions on their criminal history, predatory offender registration, offender associations and/or other applicable background information in accordance with MN DOC policy.

Employment history/reference checks, including incidents of sexual harassment, will also be conducted in accordance with MN DOC policy.  This may include a review of job performance and discipline records.

New employees will be fingerprinted within the first 30 days of employment.

Application Details

    Why Work For Us 

Want to make a difference in your community? The MN DOC plays a critical role in public safety and is a national leader in correctional programming.  Along with providing security, you act as an important role model to those under our care.  By modeling good behavior, respect, and professionalism, you can help bring about offender change.  Your positive actions and interactions with offenders positively impact our goal of reducing future crime.

Employment with the MN DOC is not just a job, it can be a rewarding career.  Our dedicated and professional staff have found the MN DOC to be a place to grow.  From your first day with the department, you receive a great starting salary, excellent health and dental insurance, and a clear path for advancement.

Have student loans to pay off?  As a State of Minnesota employee you may qualify to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.  If that isn’t enough to make you excited to work for the MN DOC, we also provide generous vacation and sick leave.

How does early retirement sound?  If you serve in a security position with the MN DOC, you are eligible to retire from state service at an earlier age than other positions.

If all of this excites you and you’d be proud to contribute to a safer Minnesota, then employment with the MN DOC sounds like a perfect fit!  We embrace a dynamic and diverse workforce, and strive to foster a welcoming and encouraging work environment.  We also strongly support veterans, as 15% of our employees have served in the United States Armed Forces.  In 2016, we were named a Yellow Ribbon Company.

Taking care of yourself today

• Low-cost Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Short-and Long-term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts
• Generous Vacation and Sick leave

Preparing for your future

• Retirement
• Tax-Deferred Savings
• Long-term Care Insurance
• Employer Paid Life Insurance and Optional Life Insurance