Careers

CORRECTIONAL OFFICER

MONTANA STATE PRISON

DEER LODGE, MT

JOB OVERVIEW - This position is responsible for the overall safety and security of inmates, staff and visitors of Montana State Prison and Montana Correctional Enterprises. Correctional Officers help ensure the institution is operated for the safety of the public, as well as the incarceration, treatment and rehabilitation of the inmate population.

• Supervise adult male felons while in the custody of Montana State Prison, on or off property. Correctional Officers are responsible for a wide variety of security duties relative to the safe, orderly and cost effective operation grounds, performing on including, but not limited to, conducting thorough inspections and searches of inmates, buildings and grounds,  performing security observation, preparing documentation regarding institutional matters such as incident reports, disciplinary documentation, counts and logs, operating security equipment, recognizing critical behavior, restraining and controlling offenders,  and responding to emergencies.
• Enforce and follow rules and regulations including, but not limited to written and/or oral directives, post orders, and special instructions in addition to policies and procedures which dictate daily, routine and emergency procedures. 
• Serve as a member of the Unit Management Team to oversee all aspects of the basic needs and welfare of adult male felons in the custody of Montana State Prison, on or off property. Participate in case management and classification procedures.
• Provide intervention for adult male felons in the custody of Montana State Prison by facilitating and/or overseeing counseling, medical care, first aide, clothing & laundry, janitorial and housekeeping supplies, transportation of inmates, meals, movement, jobs and other services as required.

QUALIFICATIONS 

• High school diploma or equivalent and a valid driver’s license are required. 
• A background check including criminal records check, child/patient/offender abuse registries will be required prior to being hired.
• A background form, pre-interview questionnaire and writing assessment must be completed prior to interviewing for position.

UPON HIRE 

• Successful completion of the Pre-Service training class for prison personnel.
• Successful completion of Corrections & Detention Officer Basic Training at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy within the first year of employment.
• Correctional Officers will be required to participate in weapon familiarization with firearms (AR-15, 12-gauge shotgun, and 9 mm pistol) during the two-week pre-service training and/or on-the-job training program.
• Firearms familiarization is a condition of employment. Failure to meet qualification standards with firearms will prohibit the CO from being assigned to armed posts or duties.
• Annual TB testing is mandatory.

PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER INFORMATION 

This position requires POST Basic Certification after attending training at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and successfully completing one year of employment with the Department of Corrections.  In addition to the training and experience requirements, to be POST Certified, the successful candidate(s) must: 

1. Be a citizen of the United States of America;
2. Be at least 18 years of age;
3. Be fingerprinted for a criminal history search;
4. Not have been convicted of a crime for which s/he could have been imprisoned in a federal or state penitentiary;
5. Be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background screen;
6. Be a high school graduate or issued a GED or its equivalent; AND,
7. Possess or be eligible for a valid Montana driver’s license.   

Minimum Physical/Mental Requirements

• Regular exposure to temperature extremes. 
• Ability to climb and descend multiple stairs and ladders, work at heights up to 50 ft for long periods of time.
• Lifting, pushing, pulling, or dragging heavy furniture, equipment or people up to 30 pounds alone, and up to 100 pounds with assistance.
• Climbing and crawling
• Visual acuity, attention to detail, must remain alert and ready to react throughout the entire shift.
• Remaining on feet for long periods of time, walking on hard surfaces.
• Sitting for long periods of time.
• Ability to respond to verbal communication, alarms, telephones, and radio communication equipment.
• Respond in the event of an emergency, which may include working long hours, mandatory overtimes, reporting to work prior to the start of the shift or staying after the shift normally ends. 
• Stressful working conditions.
• Ability to exert physical force and the use of weapons or restraints, including handcuffs or other physical restraints, firearms, and self-defense techniques. 
• Must be physically and legally able to drive a vehicle.
•  

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS - Applications missing required documentation may not be considered.

• State of Montana Application
• Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process, please make sure all attachments are marked as RELEVANT.
• If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.
• Background screens which may include criminal records check, child/patient/offender abuse registries, and reference checks will be conducted for this position.

BENEFITS 

• Employment with the state may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under PSLF.  Look here to learn more and see if you may qualify!
• Health Insurance
• Paid Leave & Holidays
• Game Warden Retirement Pan

Questions? Email or call 406-444-0029

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

HEALTH SERVICES DIVISION – MONTANA STATE PRISON

DEER LODGE, MT

JOB OVERVIEW - This position will be working with the HSB-Medical and Dental Bureau at the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge, MT.

• Responsible for compiling, processing, and maintaining medical records of Infirmary and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal and regulatory requirements of the correctional health care system and national accreditation agency.
• Part of a team that manages patient records, all scheduling for a walk-in clinic and six full-time medical providers, and off-site medical appointments.
• Performs a significant role in the Continuous Quality Improvement process by ensuring data is maintained in the medical record and providing information for tracking cost, history and extent of disease, diagnostic encounters, and treatment.
• Reports to the Medical Records Supervisor and provides and administrative support function to the Director of Nursing and MSP Health Services Bureau Chief.
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS

• A high school diploma or equivalent to high school graduation and one-year job related or vocational training is required.
• One-year work-related experience in a medical office/clinic setting is preferred.
  
  

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS

Applications submitted without required materials may not be considered

• Resume
• State of Montana Application

Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process, please make sure all attachments are marked as RELEVANT

If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

Background screens which may include criminal records check, child/patient/offender abuse registries, and reference checks will be conducted for this position.

BENEFITS

Questions? Email or call 406-444-0029

PROBATION AND PAROLE CAPTAIN

BILLINGS PROBATION OFFICE

BILLINGS, MT

JOB OVERVIEW 

• Regional recommendations are made to the respective Bureau Chiefs on policies, programs and department positions to guide the work effort of the agency. 
• Monitors results of work efforts and program effectiveness. 
• Implements and is directly accountable for Department programs and policies in the region. 
• Provides coordination of activities within the region with local, state, and federal agencies and private corporations and groups.
•  Serves as a member of the Bureau and Divisional senior management team. 
• Regional Captains are also called upon to arrest, detain violators, and testify in district court and information hearings relative to sentencing or revocation of client’s probation or parole status. Officers are trained to handle situations if probation & parole offenders or inmates become hostile & pose a physical threat. This may require the use of force and deployment of various force options.
• May be called back to work at any hour of the day and an officer may need to physically make an arrest, engage in forced entry and either employ or be in proximity of firearms or other dangerous weapons and access closed or hazardous areas.
• Must reside in area and be within a 30-minute response time to the office. May be occasionally scheduled to work alternative shifts such as evenings and weekends. Travel may be required.

PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER INFORMATION

This position requires POST Basic Certification after attending training at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and successfully completing one year of employment with the Department of Corrections.  In addition to the training and experience requirements, to be POST Certified, the successful candidate(s) must: 

1. Be a citizen of the United States of America;
2. Be at least 18 years of age;
3. Be fingerprinted for a criminal history search;
4. Not have been convicted of a crime for which s/he could have been imprisoned in a federal or state penitentiary;
5. Be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background screen;
6. Be a high school graduate or issued a GED or its equivalent; AND,
7. Possess or be eligible for a valid Montana driver’s license.
   
   

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Corrections, Public Administration, a Social Science or a closely related field from an accredited college or university
• Five or more years of job-related work experience
  
  

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS 

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• State of Montana Application

Applications missing required documentation will not be considered.

Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process, please make sure all attachments are marked as RELEVANT

If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

Background screens which may include criminal records check, child/patient/offender abuse registries, and reference checks will be conducted for this position.

BENEFITS - Employment with the state may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under PSLF.  Look here to learn more and see if you may qualify!

Questions? Email or call 406-444-0029

PROBATION & PAROLE OFFICER

BILLINGS PROBATION OFFICE

BILLINGS, MT

JOB OVERVIEW – This position, guided by the Department of Corrections (DOC) mission, plays a central role in managing the correctional population, promoting public safety and encouraging offenders to make positive life changing decisions for their future. To carry out this responsibility:

• The officer cooperates with, and solicits information from, the public and criminal justice system and supervises and counsels 80-100 offenders.
• Must have skills and abilities to equally balance social work and law enforcement duties.
• The officer conducts pre-sentence investigations and makes placement recommendations concerning those offenders sentenced to DOC. These investigations are completed with cooperation from other criminal justices’ agencies and by using investigative skills; knowledge of laws, rules and regulations pertaining to probation, parole, incarceration, rehabilitation and treatment programs, as well as knowledge of behavioral science.
• The officer then makes recommendations for rehabilitation, treatment plans, conditions of probation, the need for incarceration, and appropriate level (i.e. local jail or Montana State Prison) to the District Court and Parole Board through a written pre-sentence investigation report.
• Officers refer offenders to appropriate resources or programs using departments supervision standards, a risk and needs assessment as well as knowledge of state and community resources and monitors the progress of the client for compliance.
• Officers investigate alleged violations of probation or parole using knowledge of policies & procedures pertaining to violations, search warrants & investigations.
• Officers arrest and detain violators and testify in district court and information hearings relative to sentencing or revocation of client’s probation or parole status.
• Officers are trained to handle situations if probation & parole offenders or inmates become hostile & pose a physical threat. This requires the use of Oleoresin Capsicum “O.C. Spray” and firearms and carrying handcuffs.
• Work is of the nature that Officers may work varying schedules to include nights and week-end hours and that the Officer may be called back to work at any hour of the day or night and be available 24/7 when called upon to assist any Department of Corrections Facility or Law Enforcement Agency. The Officer needs to physically make an arrest, defend selves, in high-risk volatile scenarios in and away from the office.  
• Travel for job may be required up to 10% of the time in addition to travel for training.

PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER INFORMATION

This position requires POST Basic Certification after attending training at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and successfully completing one year of employment with the Department of Corrections.  In addition to the training and experience requirements, to be POST Certified, the successful candidate(s) must: 

1. Be a citizen of the United States of America;
2. Be at least 18 years of age;
3. Be fingerprinted for a criminal history search;
4. Not have been convicted of a crime for which s/he could have been imprisoned in a federal or state penitentiary;
5. Be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background screen;
6. Be a high school graduate or issued a GED or its equivalent; AND,
7. Possess or be eligible for a valid Montana driver’s license.
   
   

QUALIFICATIONS  

• Probation and parole officers must have at least a college degree in a related field such as criminology, psychology, social work, sociology, or guidance and counseling and some formal training in behavioral sciences.
• Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the department. Related work experience in the areas listed in subsection (1)(b) may be substituted for educational requirements at the rate of 1 year of experience for 9 months formal education if approved by the department. All present employees are exempt from this requirement but are encouraged to further their education at the earliest opportunity.  (b) Work experience that may be substituted for the educational requirements in subsection (1)(a) includes experience in the areas of corrections/detention, criminology, education, medicine, psychiatry, psychology, law, law enforcement, social work, sociology, psychiatric nursing, or guidance and counseling.
  
  

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS – Applications missing required documentation may not be considered.

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• State of Montana Application

Background screens which may include criminal records check, child/patient/offender abuse registries, and reference checks will be conducted for this position.

If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process, please make sure all attachments are marked as RELEVANT.

BENEFITS 

• Employment with the state may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under PSLF.  Look here to learn more and see if you may qualify!
  
  

Questions? Email or Call 406-444-0029

PUBLIC SAFETY DIVISION CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PUBLIC SAFETY DIVISION

HELENA, MT

JOB DESCRIPTION  

This position is the Public Safety Chief at the Department of Corrections. This position oversees all state run and contracted prison facilities and adult probation and parole operations for the Department of Corrections. This position implements statutory directives set by the legislature, ensures public safety supervision practices are evidence based and/or best practices, and establishes data-driven outcome measures for public safety and rehabilitation.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Five or more years of job-related work experience in corrections and/or law enforcement including senior-level management experience as well as a degree in Political Science, Sociology, Criminal Justice, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university required. 
• Experience as a Montana POST certified sworn officer is preferred. 
• Extensive knowledge of corrections or law enforcement, management, and budgeting best practices is also required. 
• Knowledge of evidence-based correctional programming and practices also required. 
• An additional four years of management level experience in corrections or law enforcement may substitute for the degree.
  
  

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Applications missing required documentation will not be considered.

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process, please make sure all attachments are marked as RELEVANT

If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

Background screens which may include criminal records check, child/patient/offender abuse registries, and reference checks will be conducted for this position.

BENEFITS

Employment with the state may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under PSLF.  Look here to learn more and see if you may qualify!

Questions? Email or call 406-444-0029

PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLIANCE SPECIALIST

PUBLIC SAFETY DIVISION

HELENA, MT

JOB OVERVIEW

• This position is to lead or manage teams, work with project stakeholders to initiate, plan, execute, monitor/control, and close projects.
• Assist with developing project business cases, developing the project charter and gain approval or assist project sponsor or initial project team with development of the charter and approval process.
• Facilitate sessions to gather business requirements; review historical information such as strategic plans, project proposals, business cases, funding information, etc.
• Develop and implement the project plan to include determining methodologies, scope, and deliverables of the project; identifying the work required to successfully complete the project; preparing a project budget and staffing plan; identifying and assessing risks and issues; and gaining acceptance of the plan.
• Monitor and manage project costs to ensure project is completed within budget.
• May provide public presentations across differing agencies or to executive, judicial, and legislative entities. 
• Manage project schedules to address risks, issues, and ensure timely completion of the project and milestones through regular project status meetings.
• Monitor and manage project quality to ensure the deliverables will satisfy the needs for which the project was undertaken.
• Perform project post-implementation activities such as soliciting feedback from stakeholders, preparing a report, and archiving of information. 

 QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, criminal justice or similar field. 
•  Four years of experience managing projects.
• Prior Public Safety Experience is preferred. 
• Other combinations of education or experience may be substituted.

 REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS

Applications submitted without required materials may not be considered. 

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• State of Montana Application

Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process, please make sure all attachments are marked as RELEVANT. 

If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

Background screens which may include criminal records check, child/patient/offender abuse registries, and reference checks will be conducted for this position.

BENEFITS

Employment with the state may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under PSLF.  Look here to learn more and see if you may qualify!