Utah has a need for qualified correctional officers at the county and state levels. Applicants who can work in a challenging and dynamic environment while maintaining integrity and professionalism are in high demand throughout the state. In Utah, correctional officers are employed by 2 major correctional complexes, 5 transitional facilities for community re-entry, and the extensive county jail system. Overall, state and national economists report that the corrections field is set to expand to approximately 3,037 male and female officers by 2022, indicating that nationwide growth will also affect states with smaller incarcerated populations This growth curve will be augmented by the retirement, attrition, and professional advancements of existing workers in the field; combined, these factors mean that becoming a corrections officer in Utah is an excellent prospective career move. Read below for more information on the field of corrections in the state of Utah.
| Program | Website |
|---|---|
Bridgerland Applied Technology College
1301 North 600 West, Logan, UT 84321
Phone: (435) 753-6780 | batc.edu |
Weber State University
3848 Harrison Blvd, Ogden, UT 84408-1137
Phone: (801) 626-6000 | weber.edu |
Southern Utah University
351 West University Blvd, Cedar City, UT 84720
Phone: (435) 586-7700 | suu.edu |
Utah Valley University
800 W University Parkway, Orem, UT 84058-5999
Phone: (801) 863-8000 | uvu.edu |
Salt Lake Community College
4600 S Redwood Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84123
Phone: (801) 957-4111 | catalog.slcc.edu |
Dixie State University
225 S 700 E, Saint George, UT 84770-3876
Phone: (435) 652-7500 | catalog.dixie.edu |
Snow College
150 E College Ave, Ephraim, UT 84627
Phone: (435) 283-7000 | snow.edu |
Westminster College
1840 South 1300 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84105
Phone: (801) 484-7651 | westminstercollege.edu |
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Utah Correctional Officer Certification Requirements
The Department of Corrections in Utah is continually searching for men and women of sound character to be applicants for the position of corrections officer. Because of the challenging nature of this role, the Utah DOC has committed to hiring only the most qualified applicants for the job. To enforce this, candidates go through a many-step hiring process, that begins with meeting basic eligibility requirements. First, applicants must provide proof of the following:
- U.S. citizenship or U.S. naturalization
- Utah driver's license
- Proof of age (21 or over)
- No domestic violence or felony convictions
- Proof of honorable discharge (DD-214) if applicable
After basic eligibility criteria is met, applicants will be invited to engage in the following:
- Fitness evaluation
- Detailed background check
- Drug testing
- Medical-physical examination
- Psychological assessment
- Interview with correctional supervisors or human resource managers
Those candidates who finish the second phase with the best scores will be invited to enrol at Utah's Training Academy, where officers learn practical tactics for working in a correctional facility. Upon successful completion, the candidates will be eligible for jobs as corrections officers.
Utah Department of Corrections
14717 S. Minuteman Drive
Draper, UT 84020
Phone: (801) 545-5500
http://www.corrections.utah.gov/
Utah Correctional Officer Employment & Outlook
Correctional Officer Salary: Utah vs National Salary Comparison
Source: BLS State Cross-Industry Estimates 2011
One of the ways that the state of Utah strives to serve and support correctional officers is through strong job growth and lucrative salary opportunities. Currently, the median income for front-line correctional officers throughout the state is slightly lower at $38,200 than that of the national median income of $39,800. According to the occupational profile for the state of Utah found at http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&Level=&optstatus=011000000&jobfam=33&id=1&nodeid=2&soccode=333012&menuMode=&stfips=49&x=35&y=10 published by CareerInfoNet.org, state and national trends predict a 13% and 5% increase in correctional officer jobs respectively by 2022. For residents of Utah, this rate translates into a net gain of 100 jobs per year.
Occupational Employment Statistics for Correctional Officers (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333012.htm)
Utah Correctional Officer Salaries By Area
The table below lists career information collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for correctional officers in Utah. The table is sorted by total employment, with the largest metropolitan areas listed first.
| Area | Total Employment | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | 1,340 | $18.97 | $39,460 |
| Ogden, Clearfield | 300 | $20.59 | $42,830 |
| Provo, Orem | 210 | $19.98 | $41,550 |
