Residential Officer

Overview

Are you passionate about making a positive impact in your community and thriving in dynamic, demanding situations? This opportunity is to become a Residential Officer at the Iowa Department of Corrections, preparing clients for successful reentry into society.

As a Residential Officer in a 24-hour community-based corrections facility, you will be a direct service provider, engaging in high-contact interactions with clients. You will elicit and support pro-social behaviors, focusing on programming to help clients make positive changes and increase community safety.

We value initiative and independent judgment, and you will be part of a cohesive multidisciplinary team, working collaboratively to observe and assess client behaviors and interactions. Strong communication and relationship-building skills are essential to drive positive change.

Your responsibilities span diverse tasks from conducting facility security checks and transports to applying behavior-change techniques, including cognitive behavioral strategies and core correctional practices (prosocial modeling, skill practice, roleplay, problem-solving, and positive reinforcement).

You will support case managers and clients in achieving their goals, considering individual needs, disabilities, trauma, and cultural responsiveness. Safety is paramount; you must address emergency situations calmly and effectively and help resolve issues related to violations or community safety concerns while remaining objective.

• Conduct facility security checks and searches as part of daily duties
• Transport clients within the community as needed
• Engage in high-contact interactions to elicit and support pro-social behaviors
• Provide programming to assist clients in making positive changes and increasing community safety
• Utilize behavior-change techniques and core correctional practices (e.g., prosocial modeling, skill practice, role-playing, problem-solving, positive reinforcement)
• Observe and assess client behaviors and interactions as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Support case managers and clients in achieving goals, considering individual needs, disabilities, trauma, and cultural responsiveness
• Address and respond to safety concerns and critical issues while maintaining composure under pressure

• Graduation from high school, GED, or equivalency
• Background investigation required, including criminal history check
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one
• Adhere to universal precautions to minimize exposure to blood borne pathogens
• Certified in First Aid and CPR (or ability to obtain certification)
• Preferred characteristics: integrity, confidentiality, ethical conduct; ability to engage in crucial conversations and offer praise; technology adept; self-driven and collaborative; positive and empathetic; flexible schedule and on-call availability

• Paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave with no cap on sick leave accrual
• Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance
• IPERS Retirement package and option for deferred compensation
• Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care)
• Free life insurance
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Employee Discount Programs

This position is located at the Residential Treatment Facility in Sioux City, Iowa and is a 40 hours per week float shift. Shifts may be covered at the North or South Facility, same location.

E-Verify and Right to Work:
The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. New hires will be verified through E-Verify to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa complies with the federal Right to Work laws. For more information, please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Graduation from high school, GED, or equivalency.

For additional information, please click to view the job description.