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.

New Employee Orientation

Duration: 4 Days
Schedule: Typically Monday - Thursday 8am to 5 pm

Location: Varies, you will be notified via email.

• Overview of IDOC policies and procedures, benefits and other employment information
• Basic idea of security practices and offender interaction

Job Shadowing

Duration: 1 Week or more
Schedule: As determined by institution

Location: Assigned institution

• Facility tour
• Shadow an experienced field training officer
• Hands on perspective of Correctional Officer job responsibilities
• Experience working in an institutional setting with offenders

Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Academy

Duration: 4 Weeks
Schedule: Typically Monday - Friday 8 am to 5 pm

Location: POST 700 S. Stratford Meridian, Idaho

Academy Coursework includes:

• Physical Agility Testing 
• Arrest and Control Techniques
• Firearms
• Con Games
• Report Writing
• Effective Communication
• And Much More!

Academy attendees are tested weekly. Completion of POST Academy and Certification is required for continued employment of all security personnel.

Field Training Program

Duration: 4 Weeks

Schedule: As determined by institution

Location: Assigned institution

• Work with an experienced field training officer to expand and enhance training received at the POST Academy
• Perform duties of a Correctional Officer according to training and IDOC Policy with feedback from a Field Training Officer
• Complete a field training manual for certification by POST as a Correctional Officer

The Idaho Department of Correction is a place where people come to work and make a difference in the lives of others. It takes a special person who is committed to protecting the people of Idaho including the public and those within our custody or supervision, creating and maintaining partnerships and providing opportunities for offender change.

When you interview with the Department of Correction for a new position, the following things will help the interview panel understand you.

1. Every day you come to work is a job interview.
   Whether your are interviewing for a new or promotional position, each and every day you show up to work with your current employer, you are interviewing for your future career at IDOC. Hiring managers notice when you are working as a leader and an up-and-comer in your current position. When we check references for your future position at IDOC, we'll talk to your supervisors and review your past performance documentation. What you do on a day-to-day basis in your current role matters. Your relationship with your coworkers and peers matters, especially if you hope to be their boss one day.
2. Dress for the job you want to have. Be confident every day.
   When you look good, you feel good. No, it's not a requirement that you show up to the interview dressed to the nines, and no, the panel won't be grading you on your appearance. You put your best self forward when you feel confident. So dress up, eat a good breakfast, Power Pose for 2 minutes before you go in... whatever you have to do bring forward your most confident self.
3. Know your resume inside and out.
   You are the expert when it comes your knowledge, skills and experience. The interview panel is interested in learning that from you but you have to tell them! You may not know the interview questions going in, but you do know what your experience has been. Before the interview, prepare yourself by reflecting on what you have done in your current and past positions that matches the role you are interviewing for. Think of a few examples from your career where you have taken initiative to solve a problem or taken a leadership role in a project that you can share with the panel if and when they ask. The panel is looking for specific examples in responses to their questions. When they say "tell me about a time..." or "Describe a situation..." they are asking you about how your past behavior will predict your future behavior for a competency they see as important to the role you are interviewing for. Make sure you give them a solid example from your career.
4. Know the role you are applying to fill.
   Spend some time getting to know the Department and the position you are applying for. You can prepare for this well in advance of your interview by spending time with people who currently hold the position you want to be in one day or people who have been in that position. Current IDOC employees can get to know the Department by spending time with Leaders in the organization and paying close attention to the Mission and direction of the department. Prospective IDOC employees can learn a lot about our agency from our Facebook page. You can also learn a great deal about the job from the responsibilities section of the job announcement.
5. Take charge of your own career development.
   The Idaho Department of Correction seeks to promote from within whenever possible. We have an array of career development opportunities and we desire to promote people who are interested in growing roots and building a career with IDOC. That said, if you don't make your desire to promote known to your supervisor, leaders and peers, we may never know you are one of those people! Tell your supervisor about your desire to promote, show them your leadership capabilities in your position every day and ask them to help you set and achieve goals to work toward promotions. Chances are good they were once in your shoes and they are happy to mentor you and sign you up to go to trainings that will develop you into the leader we need to take our Department to the next level.
6. After the interview, you can always email hr@idoc.idaho.gov to ask for feedback on your exam and ask the interview panel for feedback on your interview. We are all interested in helping you meet your career objectives.

Open Enrollment happens annual, typically the last week of April. During the three-week period for open enrollment, you can change some things about your insurance without a qualifying event.

Things you can only do during open enrollment

• Enroll in the Flex Spending Account (FSA). Participation in the FSA is on a year-by-year basis, which means that enrollment does not continue from one year to the next. If you are interested in starting or continuing your FSA for the new fiscal year, you must re-enroll.
• Add previously-declined dependent dental coverage.
• Change from one medical plan to the other. Do you want to change from your Traditional, PPO, or High Deductible to another one of those three? This is the time to do it!
• Change your medical and dental premium deductions from post-tax to pre-tax or vice versa without a qualifying event

Important Notes

• The time for open enrollment is defined. You cannot make changes before or after the open enrollment period.
• The Flexible Spending Account vendor for the State of Idaho is Navia. Navia offers both Health Care and Day Care Flex Spending Accounts.
• If you want to start or continue your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Dependent Care in the next fiscal Year, you must re-enroll.
• There is no need to re-enroll in medical dental if you are not making any changes.

You must enroll online in your benefits before they will start. Complete the online enrollment if you:

• Are new to state employment AND your position entitles you to benefits (all full time classified position and some part time classified positions)
• Are eligible for benefits, even if you are declining them.
• Are transferring to IDOC from another state agency.

Instructions for Completing the Online Enrollment

1. Visit the State Controllers Office (SCO) Website
2. Log on
   • Username: First Name Last Name
   • Password: Same as I-Time
   • Agency code: 230
3. Select Self-Service
   You are now accessing IPOPS.
   From the list of Actions, select Medical and Dental Enrollment Application
   • Social security numbers for family members are not required but if you have them, please enter them.
   • Re-enter your marital status and date, if appropriate
   • Use a 4-digit year

4. Completing or Updating your Medical/Dental Enrollment Form
   You may add dependents without a qualifying event.
   If the change is due to a qualifying event:

   • Select the appropriate event
   • Enter the date event occurred (MM/DD/YYYY)

   Adding Dependents or Changing your Medical Coverage

   • Click Add/Delete Dependents if covering more than yourself
   • Verify your plan selection (PPO, High Deductible, Traditional)
   • Select your coverage (self, self + spouse, self + child, etc)
   • If appropriate, enter Dependent's information (first name in 1st box, middle name in 2nd box, last name in 3rd box), use a 4-digit year.
   • Make your Dental selection.
     Note: If you enroll dependents for Medical but decline Dental for dependents, you may not add Dental coverage until a Dental open enrollment, which does not happen every year.
   • If you and/or your dependents are currently covered by another medical plan or have been covered in the last 63 days, you will need that policy information to complete your enrollment update.
   • Click Submit when finished. (Do not click "save" unless you plan to complete the form at a later date.)
   • Another form pop-up appears for participation in the premium only plan. The purpose of this form is to confirm your selection of Pre-tax or Post-tax premiums. Read the text and click "I accept" for pre-tax. Your electronic signature will be placed at the bottom of the form and can be viewed when you print the document.
     Note: If you do not click "I Accept", your form will not be submitted.
   • To Print a copy, click on Views then My Self-Service, then Medical/Dental and click "print"
   • Log Off IPOPS when you are finished so your access and privacy are protected

If you have questions or need assistance including a password reset, contact Human Resources at 208-658-2029. You may also email hr@idoc.idaho.gov.

Upcoming PERSI Combo workshops: The PERSI combo workshop is designed to provide the best from the Ready, Set, and GO workshops. This is an ideal workshop for any stage in your career.

Hope to see you there!

The Idaho Department of Correction takes pride in the fact that we consider ourselves one big family, so it makes sense that we put a high value on family wellness. Here are some of the resources and opportunities available for you and your family to take advantage of.

Expecting a New Baby

Bright Beginnings

Bright Beginnings is a prenatal program designed to promote healthy prenatal care through education to expectant mothers.  Blue Cross of Idaho provides this program to any covered employee, or their spouse who is pregnant. Program participants are provided information on topics such as nutrition, exercise, prenatal care and child care.

Enrollment

To participate in the program you must enroll during the first three months (first trimester) of pregnancy. To enroll, contact Bright Beginnings at 208-387-6999.

Program Completion Incentives

With successful completion of the program the participant may choose one of the following incentives:

• $100 U.S. Savings Bond
• Reimbursement up to $50 toward the purchase of a car seat

Breastfeeding Support, Supplies and Counseling

Breastfeeding support and counseling is a covered benefit. 100% of costs are covered for the rental or purchase of breast feeding equipment and covered supplies per benefit period if purchased from participating durable medical equipment (DME) vendor. For more information on the benefit and requirements contact Blue Cross of Idaho at 208-331-8897.

The Idaho Department of Correction employees are eligible for many valuable benefits. Click on any of the dropdowns for more information.

Legal Shield

Legal Shield is a membership service that provides it's members with access to legal counsel and advice from qualified lawyers on a wide range of issues/services.

• Information and Services
• FAQ

Retirement Options

PERSI

• PERSI Benefits Overview
• PERSI Choice 401(k) 
• Member Newsletter

457 Deferred Compensation (Nationwide)

• What is Deferred Compensation 
• Enrollment information and forms

Family Medical Leave Act

Medical Leave for Employee

• HR Contact
• Employee Rights and Responsibilities 
• Request for FMLA Leave for Employee – contact the Benefits Coordinator for your facility/location

Medical Leave for Family Member

• HR Contact
• Employee Rights and Responsibilities
• Request for FMLA Leave for Family Member - contact the Benefits Coordinator for your facility/location

Medical, Dental and Vision

Medical Insurance

• Instructions for Medical/Dental Enrollment
• Plan Premium Rates 
• Plan Details and Contracts 
• Prescription Drug Coverage

Dental Insurance

• Dental Plan Details 
• Plan Premium Rates
• Plan Contract 

Vision Benefit

**Vision Service Plan included with Medical Insurance

• Plan Details and Features

Office of Group Insurance

The Office of Group Insurance is the 3rd Party administrator that provides many of the benefits offered to State of Idaho Employees.

• Office of Group Insurance website
• Benefits Summary

Blue Cross of Idaho

• General Information and Contacts
• Find a Doctor 
• Member’s Site

Flex Spending

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) offer a convenient and easy way to save money for eligible medical and day care expenses. You can set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified expenses.

• Flex Spending Information and FAQ
• Navia Member Site

IDEAL College Savings

A state sponsored, tax advantage savings plan that helps families pay for the cost of college.

• Overview and FAQ
• Enrollment and other forms

Life Insurance Options

Principal Life

The state provides you with base plan policy equal to one year salary rounded up to the next 1,000

• Life and Disability Overview

NCPERS

• Plan Features and Information
• Enrollment Form
• Schedule of Benefits/Payouts

AFLAC Supplemental Insurance

• Products and services offered
• Find an Agent