Correctional Officer

JOB TITLE & LOCATION

Montana State Prison – Deer Lodge, Montana

The Montana Department of Corrections (DOC) is creating a safer Montana through Accountability, Rehabilitation and Empowerment. If you want to work making positive changes in your community, the Montana Department of Corrections is the place for you!

The Public Safety Division operates Montana’s prisons safely and securely and provides supervision and support for offenders in the community through its Probation and Parole Bureau. The work performed in this division is integral to the department’s mission to create a safer Montana through accountability, rehabilitation, and empowerment. Make a difference! Join us today!

The Correctional Officer is responsible for the overall safety and security of inmates, staff and visitors of Montana State Prison and Montana Correctional Enterprises. Correctional Officers help ensure the institution is operated for the safety of the public, as well as the incarceration, treatment and rehabilitation of the inmate population.

• Supervise adult male felons while in the custody of Montana State Prison, on or off property. Perform a wide variety of security duties relative to the safe, orderly and cost effective operation of grounds, including but not limited to: conducting thorough inspections and searches of inmates, buildings and grounds; performing security observation; preparing documentation such as incident reports, disciplinary records, counts and logs;
  
  operating security equipment; recognizing critical behavior; restraining and controlling offenders; and responding to emergencies.
• Enforce and follow rules and regulations including written and/or oral directives, post orders, and special instructions in addition to policies and procedures which dictate daily, routine and emergency procedures.
• Serve as a member of the Unit Management Team to oversee all aspects of basic needs and welfare of adult male felons in custody, on or off property. Participate in case management and classification procedures.
• Provide intervention for adult male felons by facilitating and/or overseeing counseling, medical care, first aid, clothing & laundry, janitorial and housekeeping supplies, transportation of inmates, meals, movement, jobs and other services as required.

The hourly rate of this position will increase by $1.00 per hour or 2.5%, whichever is greater, effective July 1, 2025 and July 1, 2026, in accordance with HB13. Pay increases for union positions are contingent upon a ratified collective bargaining agreement.

The knowledge, skills and abilities for this position are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to:

• High school diploma or equivalent and a valid driver’s license are required.
• A background check including criminal records check, child/patient/offender abuse registries will be required prior to being hired.
• A background authorization form and pre-interview questionnaire must be completed prior to interviewing for position.
• Alternative combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER

This position requires POST Basic Certification after attending training at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and successfully completing one year of employment with the Department of Corrections. In addition to the training and experience requirements, to be POST Certified, the successful candidate(s) must:

• Be a citizen of the United States of America.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Be fingerprinted for a criminal history search.
• Not have been convicted of a crime that could have led to imprisonment in a federal or state penitentiary.
• Be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background screen.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Possess or be eligible for a valid Montana driver’s license.

Your service is rewarded with competitive compensation and generous State of Montana Benefits. State of Montana employment may qualify for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Only online applications are accepted. By…