Illinois Department of Corrections (Correctional Officer Trainee)

Illinois Department of Corrections

Contact Details

The Correctional Officer Trainee position, for a period not to exceed three months, will receive formalized and on-the-job training in security and custodial duties for IDOC. Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to be physically fit at the level required at screening prior to arrival at the Training Academy. Upon successful completion of Pre-service Security Training, IDOC cadets will participate in a formal ceremony at the academy and cadets are awarded certificates and badges and sworn to the Oath of Office.



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 individuals in custody, 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, individuals in custody 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 the position held, is prohibited.
Applicants are required to abide by all vaccine and/or other medical standards as set out by the employer.