CORRECTIONAL OFFICER TRAINEE

Job Posting Details

The first step to beginning your career as a Correctional Officer with the Department of Corrections is to visit the "Become a Correctional Officer" page on the Department of Corrections website (linked above).  Interested applicants can follow the necessary steps listed on the "Become a Correctional Officer" web page, to submit the Applicant Data From.  (Do not click the apply button in the work.illinois.gov job portal.)  You need only to complete the Applicant Data form once, even if you want to be considered for more than one correctional facility.  IDOC will consider applications from both current Illinois residents and those residing in other states.

DOC employs Correctional Officer Trainees at each of its 26 Correctional Centers across the state.  Positions will be filled at different times for each of the following facilities: 

Big Muddy River - Jefferson County

Centralia - Clinton County

Danville - Vermillion County

Decatur - Macon County

Dixon - Lee County

East Moline - Rock Island County

Graham - Montgomery County

Hill - Knox County

Illinois River - Fulton County

Jacksonville - Morgan County

Kewanee - Henry County

Lawrence - Lawrence County

Lincoln - Logan County

Logan - Logan County

Menard - Randolph County

Pinckneyville - Perry County

Pontiac - Livingston County

Robinson - Crawford County

Shawnee - Johnson County

Sheridan - LaSalle County

Southwestern IL - St. Clair County

Stateville - Will County

Taylorville - Christian County

Vandalia - Fayette County

Vienna - Johnson County

Western - Brown County

For more information about the training process to become a correctional officer, visit  Training Academy - About (illinois.gov) on the Department's website.

Job Responsibilities

Receives eight weeks of formalized pre-service security training at the Illinois Corrections Training Academy including firearms training due to requirements mandating qualification.

Receives on-the-job training under immediate supervision of a qualified correctional employee.

• Assigned each work week to another correctional employee to assist in running lines, yard, dining room, housing units, facility buildings, writs, observing offenders, perimeter patrol, armory, counting, shakedowns, movement, etc.

Travels by using a state issued vehicle to complete assignments.

Receives one week orientation at facility.

Given formal training in housing unit work, report writing, out-count work, yard work, running lines, offenders at this institution and their assignments, chain-of-command, security buildings, disciplinary procedures and any other training deemed necessary.

Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of high school. 
• Requires elementary knowledge of resident behavior problems.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a pre-service security training course during trainee period. 
• Requires successful completion of a firearms training course and learn the proper use of firearms during trainee period. 
• Requires a valid appropriate driver’s license and the ability to travel statewide.
• Requires ability to pass the IDOC/IDJJ background check.
• Requires ability to pass a drug screen. The use of unauthorized drugs by an employee, regardless of position held, is prohibited.  
• Applicants are required to abide by all vaccine and/or other medical standards as set out by the employer.

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Corrections is a multicultural agency deeply committed to ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion.  This commitment is at the forefront of our operations, hiring, policies and procedures, and training. We recognize the benefit of workplace empowerment, the importance of diversity and fully support an environment where ALL employees are treated fairly, respectfully, and have equal access to opportunities and resources necessary to thrive and contribute to the agency’s success. IDOC genuinely values the differences of individuals in our custody and is committed to ensuring a healthy living environment where they feel valued, respected, and included.

Through our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), we shall establish and uphold agency policies and practices conducive to eliminating all forms of exclusion including, but not limited to, racism, ageism, ableism, sexism, discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender, and religious oppression.

The IDOC team works to serve justice in Illinois and increase public safety by promoting positive change in behavior of individuals in custody, operating successful reentry programs, and reducing victimization.

Employees enjoy excellent benefits, including health, vision, and dental insurance; retirement plan and deferred compensation; state holidays and other benefit time off and pre-tax benefit programs. The department also offers extensive training and career advancement opportunities.

The Illinois Department of Corrections is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.