Trainee Corrections Officer

Come help the Department of Corrections transform lives for a safer Minnesota! Each day when you come to work for the Department of Corrections, you have the opportunity to truly make a difference in the lives of those under our care and for those in communities throughout Minnesota.

Job Details

Working Title : Trainee Corrections Officer

Job Class : Trainee-Corrections Officer

Agency : Department of Corrections

• Job ID : 89196
• Location : Faribault, Moose Lake, Red Wing, St. Cloud
• Telework Eligible : No
• Full / Part Time : Full-Time
• Regular / Temporary : Trainee
• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted : 09 / 27 / 2025
• Closing Date : 02 / 09 / 2026
• Hiring Agency : Department of Corrections
• Division / Unit : Minnesota Corrections Facility Safety and Security
• Work Shift / Work Hours : Day Shift for the initial 6-week training academy, then a shift will be assigned.
• Days of Work : Monday - Friday for the initial 6-week training academy, then the work schedule will be assigned based on the scheduling needs of the Minnesota Correctional Facility where you work.
• Travel Required : Yes, during the initial 6-week academy. All centralized training will be held at the DOC Central Office the week following your date of hire. This includes a one (1) day requirement at the end of the academy which includes training at MCF-St. Cloud. If applicable, hotel accommodations provided during training.
• Salary Range : $29.10 / hourly; $60,761 / annually

$29.10 per hour during the initial 6-week training academy (for new hires to the State of Minnesota).

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Job Summary

While we are accepting applications for the Trainee Corrections Officer position, the hiring process may be longer than expected at some facilities and your application may be placed on a waitlist. We have a waitlist for the Minnesota Correctional Facility - Lino Lakes, Oak Park Heights, Rush City, Togo, and Willow River.

Currently, we have no waitlist for the Minnesota Correctional Facility - Faribault, Moose Lake, Red Wing, and St. Cloud.

When requests are received by the DOC Human Resources to fill a Trainee Corrections Officer position(s), job offers will be made and positions will be filled by the applicants who have met all of the requirements detailed below and have passed the interview. Applicants are also required to pass the background check which will be completed after the applicant has accepted the contingent job offer. If the background check is not satisfactory, the offer will be rescinded.

Are you seeking a career path, competitive pay, and great benefits? Become a Corrections Officer with the Minnesota DOC! No corrections experience necessary - we will train you to maintain security, supervise activities, and promote change in people who are incarcerated at one of the Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF) locations.

Corrections Officers are responsible for providing a controlled setting to ensure the safety and security of the correctional facility by supervising incarcerated people, encouraging positive behavior, and preparing them for successful release into the community.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to :

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

To qualify for further consideration and assessment, you must :

Be at least 18 years old to work at an adult correctional facility, and at least 21 years old to work at a juvenile correctional facility (MCF-Red Wing) unless you are enrolled or have completed coursework in a post-secondary education program to pursue a degree in a behavioral science, AND

Possess a high school diploma or GED, AND

Be able to pass a criminal history check, which will be conducted before hire. To pass, you must have successfully completed all sentencing and / or restitution requirements of law enforcement jurisdictions, including probation, AND

Be able to possess a firearm. You may be asked to obtain a permit to purchase to qualify for meeting this requirement, AND

Have a valid driver's license.

In addition, you must possess at least ONE of the following to qualify for further consideration and assessment :

One or more years of full-time work experience in ANY field. (Note : The work experience does NOT have to be in Corrections), OR

Two or more years of part-time (at least 20 hours per week) work experience in ANY field. (Note : the work experience does NOT have to be in Corrections), OR

Completion of an associate degree in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Law, Law Enforcement, Psychology, Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, or a Human Services related field with an emphasis in corrections / criminal justice, OR

Completion of a bachelor's degree in ANY field from an accredited college / university, OR

Honorable discharge from active military duty in any branch of the United States Armed Forces, OR

Current member in good standing in any branch of the United States Armed Forces, OR

Successful completion of an internship in a Minnesota Correctional Facility in a related security area.

Interview Process :

Within a few days after you apply, the Minnesota DOC Human Resources (HR) will review your application to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications. If you meet the minimum qualifications, a HR Specialist will email you an interview link. We use SparkHire One-way video interviews. The interview can be completed using your device. The interview must be completed within one (1) week. Some facilities offer in-person interviews. If you do not meet the minimum qualifications, you will be notified by email. Please ensure your contact information (i.e., email address, mailing / home address, cell, and work phone numbers) is up to date so that we can contact you. You must receive a passing rate on the interview to be considered for hire as a Trainee Corrections Officer.

Background and reference checks will be conducted if you are offered a position and must be satisfactory to move forward in the hiring process.

Physical Requirements

If you are offered a job, you must pass a tuberculosis screening and respirator clearance. You will also be required to review and sign a Physical Demands Analysis (PDA) for the position. For a copy of the PDA, please email Tiffany.Werner@state.mn.us .

In addition, an employee must receive an area exposure to a DOC-approved chemical irritant, which is a core training requirement of the Minnesota DOC.

Additional Requirements

The selection process may include screening the top candidate(s) on their criminal history, predatory offender registration, offender associations, and / or other applicable background information in accordance with the Department of Corrections policy.

Employment history / reference checks, including incidents of sexual harassment, will also be conducted on the top candidate(s) in accordance with the Department of Corrections policy. This may include a review of job performance and discipline records.

New employees will be fingerprinted within the first 30 days of employment.

The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) does not participate in E-Verify. The DOC will not sponsor applicants for work visas, including F-1 STEM OPT extensions. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Application Details

How to Apply

Select "Apply for Job" at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . For additional information about the application process, go to .

If you are a former Minnesota Department of Corrections employee with prior experience in the Corrections Officer 1 (CO1) or Corrections Officer 2 (CO2) job classification, you may be eligible for reinstatement. In accordance with Minnesota Statute 43A.15, Subd. 15, eligibility for reinstatement is limited to former permanent or probationary employees of CO1 or CO2 job classification who have separated from the class within the past 4 years. For more information regarding reinstatement opportunities to the CO1 or CO2 job classification, please search for Job ID for more information and to apply.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Kristen Hanson at kristen.hanson@state.mn.us or 651-361-7542 .

About Corrections Dept

Join a team with a national reputation of excellence! The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) is highly regarded nationwide and has provided a model for other corrections systems to follow. Our mission is to transform lives for a safer Minnesota. We offer great State of Minnesota benefits, competitive pay, internal promotional opportunities, free parking, and workout facilities at most locations.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include :

Fertility care, including IVF

Support to help you reach your career goals :

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work / life support :

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union / collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.