Career Facts / Employment FAQ

Four IDOC officers present the U.S. and state of Idaho flags at a ceremony

IDOC Honor Guard

Idaho Department of Correction manages more than 21,000 offenders in the state of Idaho. Employees of the Department work in security, rehabilitation and support settings with our Mission, Vision and Values at the forefront.

Public Safety is our focus; a service employees carry out by running secure facilities, managing offenders safely in the community and providing opportunties to offenders for education and treatment.

Traditional law enforcement are often seen as the white hat agencies. The black hat is a symbol of of the cooperative spirit corrections staff and citizens need to keep Idaho safe.

While corrections services are often seen a little differently than other law enforcement, they are just as critical to public safety.

(Click on a question below to display the answer.)

What employee benefits does the Idaho Department of Correction offer?

The Idaho Department of Correction offers a competitive benefits package. For a complete list of all benefits please visit the Division of Human Resources! If you have additional questions, contact our benefits coordinator at 208-658-2029 or hr@idoc.idaho.gov.

What specific retirement benefits does the State of Idaho offer and/or require?

State of Idaho employees receive their retirement benefits through the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho - also known as PERSI. Both the PERSI 401K and the PERSI 457 plans are voluntary. The PERSI base plan is required of all eligible state employees. You can find a full explanation of all retirement plans at the PERSI website.

Will I be disqualified from being hired as a Correctional Officer if I have a felony or misdemeanor charge in my past?

It is a disqualification for security positions if you have been convicted of any felony charge. To be hired for any non-security position if you have a felony conviction, the Director's approval is required. For questions regarding hiring and criminal convictions please contact Background Investigators at 208-658-2023 or hr@idoc.idaho.gov.

What training will I receive as a Correctional Officer with IDOC?

Idaho Department of Correction employees are provided with the tools needed to succeed as Correctional Officers. We Offer 10 weeks of paid training including New Employee Orientation, Job Shadowing, POST Academy and Field Training. Click here for details about the training provided for Correctional Officers at IDOC.

Why does it take four weeks to get my first or last paycheck?

The state verifies payroll every two weeks. State employees receive their paychecks every other Friday. When you receive your first or last paycheck depends on where the pay period falls after the verification process is completed.

How do I become a Correctional Officer?

Click here for an indepth look at the steps to becoming a correctional officer. Please watch our current openings for a Correctional Officer announcement in a location where you would like to work.

Step 1: Apply Online. Complete and pass two written exams.

Step 2: Background Investigation Questionnaire. At this point, if you are not selected as a candidate to move forward, you will receive an email or letter stating you are no longer being considered for the position.

Step 3: Select candidates will be contacted for an interview. If you are not selected in this final stage, you will be contacted.

Step 4. Top candidates will be extended a conditional offer for employment. The conditions include passing additional background investigation including fingerprinting and other additional testing including medical, hearing and physical agility.

The minimum qualifications to be eligible for a Correctional Officer include:

A willingness to work unarmed among unrestricted offenders in a high-stress, hostile environment. Withstand offender harassment, threats, and verbal abuse. Correctional Officers deal with violence and break up fights, conduct body searches of offenders and visitors for contraband and weapons; work in confined spaces such as guard towers for entire shift. May fire a weapon at an individual if necessary;physically restrain offenders. Prisons are a disciplined, law enforcement environment. Officers carry out orders; work shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
Experience using a personal computer to enter, retrieve and edit information is required for this position.
Applicants must meet entrance requirements established by the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Academy for Correctional Officers including vision, hearing, medical and physical agility standards.
Must be released from any kind of criminal (supervised or unsupervised) probation for at least the last 12 months and free from habitual or regular use of illegal controlled substances in the last 12 months.
Must be free from conviction of certain misdemeanors that would be classified as a crime of deceit, illegal drug crime or sex crime in the last 5 years.
Must be eligible to own, possess or receive a firearm under the provisions of state or federal law, free from adult felony convictions and be free from any adult felony convictions. Applicants with US Military experience must provide a DD-214 showing Honorable, General Under Honorable or Uncharacterized discharge from the US Military.
IDOC management makes all hiring decisions and additional standards may be applied to determine suitability of applicants. If you have questions about your eligibility for correctional officer or about the status of your application, email hr@idoc.idaho.gov

How can I be alerted to any job openings that I might be interested in completing an application?

Go to the Division of Human Resources website, choose the positions you are interested in and sign up to receive job alerts to be sent to your personal e-mail!

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