The Idaho Department of Corrections is divided into three jurisdictions in order to best serve the needs of inmates, employees, and communities throughout the state. Idaho currently has approximately 7,500 adult inmates incarcerated in ten prisons such as Idaho Maximum Security Institution (IMSI), Idaho State Correctional Institution (ISCI), and South Boise Women's Correctional Center (SBWCC) as well as four community re-entry facilities such as Idaho Falls Community Re-entry Center and Nampa Community Re-entry Center across the state. If necessary, inmates are also held temporarily in county jails and through out-of-state contract placements. As such, the state Department of Correction is recruiting men and women for front line correctional officer positions. The current 1,960 staff are expected to grow over the next decade to number 2,058 members due to retirement, industry expansion, and career advancement. Applicants must meet the department's hiring criteria, and be ready for intensive on-the-job training in order to support the state's mandate to keep offenders positively engaged in opportunities for education, treatment and work opportunities. Read more on this page about how Department of Corrections staff in Idaho are inspired to make a difference in the lives of offenders. Those interested in working in juvenile corrections will find important local and national resources through the Idaho Juvenile Justice Association.
| Program | Website |
|---|---|
College of Western Idaho
5500 East Opportunity Drive, Nampa, ID 83687
Phone: (208) 562-3000 | cwidaho.cc |
College of Southern Idaho
315 Falls Ave., Twin Falls, ID 83301
Phone: (208) 733-9554 | socsci.csi.edu |
North Idaho College
1000 West Garden Avenue, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814-2199
Phone: (208) 769-3300 | nic.edu |
Boise State University
1910 University Dr, Boise, ID 83725
Phone: (208) 426-1011 | sps.boisestate.edu |
Lewis-Clark State College
500 8th Ave, Lewiston, ID 83501-2698
Phone: (208) 792-5272 | lcsc.edu |
Idaho State University
921 S 8th Ave, Pocatello, ID 83209
Phone: (208) 282-2700 | isu.edu |
Northwest Nazarene University
623 S. University Blvd., Nampa, ID 83686-5897
Phone: (208) 467-8011 | psychology.nnu.edu |
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Idaho's state Department of Corrections is continually looking for new personnel who will help the department manage offenders to the best of their ability for the safety of all. Interested applicants are encouraged to monitor job postings through email and complete the initial application online. Upon completion and authorization of a background check, additional documents must be submitted. They are:
- Proof of age and US citizenship
- High school diploma or GED
- Proof of honorable discharge (DD-214) if applicable
After an initial waiting period while background investigations ensue, successful candidates will be contacted to arrange an in-person interview with members of the department. Please bring all documents with you at this time.
Candidates who have interviewed successfully may be granted a conditional offer of employment. At that time, medical and fitness testing will continue and candidates will be enrolled in a ten-week paid training program in order to become familiar with Idaho DOC policies and procedures. New hires who are not successful during the final training phase will be released from duty as passing recruit training is a mandatory final step of the hiring process.
Idaho Department of Correction
1299 N. Orchard St., Suite 110
Boise, ID
Phone: (208) 658-2000
http://www.idoc.idaho.gov/
Idaho Correctional Officer Employment & Outlook
Correctional Officer Salary: Idaho vs National Salary Comparison
Source: BLS State Cross-Industry Estimates 2011
The state Department of Corrections in Idaho encourages civic-minded citizens to look toward the corrections field for lucrative career opportunities. At this time, the median income for correctional officers throughout the state is lower than the national average at $30,500, with the national median income at $39,800, however professional development can boost salary. According to occupational data for the state of Colorado, available at http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&Level=&optstatus=011000000&jobfam=33&id=1&nodeid=2&soccode=333012&menuMode=&stfips=16&x=60&y=8 and published by CareerInfoNet.org, state trends will experience a 11% growth curve from now until 2022, which translates into 70 new openings and existing vacancies annually.
Occupational Employment Statistics for Correctional Officers (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333012.htm)
Idaho Correctional Officer Salaries By Area
The table below lists career information obtained from the BLS for correctional officers in Idaho. The table is sorted by total employment, with the largest metropolitan areas listed first.
| Area | Total Employment | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City, Nampa | 940 | $14.56 | $30,290 |
| Pocatello | 120 | $16.96 | $35,280 |
| Coeur d'Alene | 100 | $20.21 | $42,030 |
| Idaho Falls | 100 | $17.80 | $37,030 |
| Lewiston | 30 | $16.27 | $33,840 |
