Correctional Officer

About the role

Newton, Iowa is a progressive, family friendly community, a shining star of Central Iowa and a place to call home. Whether you’re raising a family, starting a business or building a home, you’ll want to get to know Newton. The community has many great amenities aside from excellent schools. Unique entertainment, beautiful art displays and parks, and great attractions for families to enjoy.

Centrally located in Iowa just off I-80, Newton, boasts a diverse array of shopping, recreational and dining choices, both locally and within short driving distances. Des Moines is just 35 miles west, Ames is 62 miles NW, and Iowa City is 87 miles east. “America’s Dutch Treasure”, Pella, lies just 23 miles to the southeast.

At Newton Correctional Facility, we offer a wide range of career opportunities in various departments; i.e., Security, Treatment, Medical, Administrative, Business, Records, Maintenance/Trades, Warehousing, Food Service and other support areas.

Join our team of dedicated professionals who provide an environment that facilitates change for incarcerated individuals as they prepare for release. Come be a part of creating opportunities for safer communities. You’ll find an exceptional workplace where mutual respect and support are part of the culture.

This position

Patrols facilities and makes security checks; inspects all areas of the institution (e.g., perimeter towers, control centers, cell areas, rooms, halls, dormitories, recreation/work areas and grounds) for safety/security deficiencies; searches individuals, vehicles, packages, mail, equipment, clothing and offender quarters for contraband items.

Escorts offenders, visitors and staff inside/outside of the institution and verifies possession of appropriate passes or legal documents; verifies offender population in an assigned area at regular/irregular intervals and participate in offender counts.

Interacts with the general public, visitors and victims in person or via phone.

Provides information, security, and assistance.

Observes offender behavior/interaction with staff, other offenders, and visitors; communicates observations to supervisory and program staff to ensure effective security and consistent application of offender change principles.

Continuously interacts with offenders, assisting in the development of problem-solving skills, providing positive reinforcement when appropriate, and instituting corrective measures (informal counseling or sanctions, formal disciplinary action, or physical force) when necessary and as authorized by law/policy.

• Instructs offenders in policy, procedure, expectations, and assists offenders in the development of attitudes and skills necessary for successful adaptation to life within an institution.
• Role models pro-social attitudes and behaviors that convey respect for others and the acknowledgement that offenders 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 offender record system.
• Supervises offender work assignments and evaluates work performance.
• Operates electronic doors, telephone systems, two-way radios, intercom, alarm systems, closed circuit TV systems, and computer terminals and uses weapons/offender control devices.
• Attends training classes and seminars; may train or serve as team leader for other staff.

Skills

• Active Listening – Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Monitoring – Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Social Perceptiveness – Awareness of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do. • Speaking – Talking to others to convey information effectively.