Correctional Officer

Job Description

Iowa Medical and Classification Center serves as the reception and classification center for all those entering the adult male institutional corrections system. The facility processes 400-500 new commitments every month and then transfers them to other facilities. IMCC employs a diversified professional workforce that provides comprehensive services to offenders and patients. It operates a medium‑security general population unit and houses the only licensed forensic psychiatric hospital in the state, offering inpatient psychiatric and evaluation services to non‑adjudicated patients.

Additionally, a unit with 178 medical and psychiatric beds was added in 2007 to meet the growing mental health and medical needs of the correctional population.

Monitor keys, radios, fire system alarms, distress calls, and the control of interior and exterior door locks. Operate electronic doors, telephone systems, two‑way radios, intercom, alarm systems, closed‑circuit TV systems, personal data assistants, computer terminals and use weapons/incarcerated individual control devices.

• Facility Patrol – Patrol facilities, conduct security checks, rounds and incarcerated individual counts; inspect all areas of the institution and grounds for safety/security deficiencies; conduct searches of incarcerated individuals, vehicles, packages, and property for contraband.
• Perimeter Patrol – Patrol perimeter on a periodic basis, ensure fences are secure, monitor vehicle traffic, communicate with other staff; search vehicles entering or leaving grounds; provide security, safety and fire watch for all buildings on grounds. This position is a weapons post.
• Transportation / Escort Services – Transport inmates on grounds and off‑grounds; escort incarcerated individuals, visitors and staff inside or outside the institution and verify possession of appropriate passes or legal documents; interact with the general public, visitors and victims in person or via phone professionally and courteously; provide information, security and assistance.

• Demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of core correctional practice skills.
• Continuously interact 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 effective use of disapproval.
• Through behavioral modeling and interactions, serve as a change agent, preparing incarcerated individuals for successful community reentry.

Graduation from high school, GED, or equivalency.

• 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 at the time of hire

The State of Iowa participates in E‑Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of 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.