Becoming a Correctional Officer in North Dakota

North Dakota Correctional Officer Certification Requirements

The North Dakota Department of Corrections often recruits for the role of correctional officer to work in the state's many penitentiaries and county jails. The DOC is committed to hiring professional men and women who are looking for a rewarding career opportunities and is committed to hiring only those candidates to demonstrate that they are the best fit for the position. The initial eligibility requirements for the job are:

• High school diploma or GED
• Proof of age (21+) and U.S. citizenship or naturalization status
• No felony or domestic violence convictions
• Valid North Dakota driver's license
• If applicable, honorable discharge papers from military

Once the basic eligibility requirements have been verified, candidates should prepare to be contacted for further assessment. The state of North Dakota requires correctional officer recruits to undergo the following testing:

• Medical assessment
• Fitness testing by age and gender
• Psychological screening
• Extensive background check and fingerprinting
• In-person interview to determine professional and personal history and values

Recruits who have passed all requirements and screenings up to this point will be selected to enrol in basic training for correctional officer new hires. Passing this weeks-long phase of training is the final step before official certification as a correctional officer. Personnel that have completed this last phase of the hiring process will be posted to job vacancies as the need arises.

North Dakota Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation

3100 Railroad Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58501
Phone: (701) 328-6390
http://www.nd.gov/docr/

North Dakota Correctional Officer Employment & Outlook

North Dakota's State Department of Justice is committed to growth and development for the state's correctional field. Median income for this role throughout the state is $37,800, compared to the national median income level of $39,800, however professional development and seniority in the field can boost salary. According to the employment profile for the state, published by CareerInfoNet.org at http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&Level=&optstatus=011000000&jobfam=33&id=1&nodeid=2&soccode=333012&menuMode=&stfips=38&x=61&y=14 state trends predict a 9% increase in correctional jobs by the year 2022. In the state of North Dakota, this translates to 30 jobs per year, both in newly created and existing vacancies.

Occupational Employment Statistics for Correctional Officers (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333012.htm)

North Dakota Correctional Officer Salaries By Area

The table below lists career information retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for correctional officers in North Dakota. The table is sorted by total employment, with the largest metropolitan areas listed first.