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Entry Level Prison Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

The Florida Department of Corrections is the 3rd largest state prison system in the country. With ... Once you join the FDC, many career advancement opportunities are available, from an entry-level ...

The Florida Department of Corrections is the 3rd largest state prison system in the country. With ... Once you join the FDC, many career advancement opportunities are available, from an entry-level ...

The Florida Department of Corrections is the 3rd largest state prison system in the country. With ... Once you join the FDC, many career advancement opportunities are available, from an entry-level ...

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Entry Level Prison information

See Florida salary details

$9

$12

$16

How much do entry level prison jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level prison in Florida is $12.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.68 and $13.46 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are entry level prison jobs?

Entry level prison jobs typically refer to positions within correctional facilities that do not require prior experience or specialized training. Common roles include correctional officer, food service worker, maintenance staff, or administrative support. These jobs involve tasks such as supervising inmates, maintaining facility security, preparing meals, or assisting with clerical work. Most entry level prison jobs require a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training is usually provided. Working in these roles can be demanding but can also offer opportunities for career advancement within the corrections system.

What is the difference between Entry Level Prison vs Entry Level Correctional Officer?

AspectEntry Level PrisonEntry Level Correctional Officer
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; background checkHigh school diploma or equivalent; background check; sometimes additional training
Work EnvironmentPrison facilities, correctional institutionsPrison facilities, detention centers
Employer & Industry UsageCorrectional institutions, government agenciesLaw enforcement agencies, correctional facilities
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Entry Level Prison roles and Entry Level Correctional Officer positions are similar, both working within correctional facilities and requiring comparable credentials. The main difference lies in terminology; 'Entry Level Prison' is a broader term often used to describe initial roles within prisons, while 'Entry Level Correctional Officer' specifically refers to the frontline staff responsible for inmate supervision. Both roles serve the correctional industry and typically involve similar work environments and qualifications.

Can I become a correctional officer at 40?

Yes, many correctional agencies accept applicants up to age 40 or older, provided they meet other requirements such as background checks, physical fitness, and education. Age limits vary by jurisdiction, so it is important to check specific agency policies and be prepared for training and certification processes.

Can you be a correctional officer with no experience?

Entry-level correctional officer positions typically do not require prior experience, but applicants must usually pass background checks, training programs, and sometimes obtain certifications such as CPR or first aid. Employers often provide on-the-job training to new hires, focusing on security procedures, communication skills, and safety protocols.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry-level correctional officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an entry-level correctional officer, you generally need a high school diploma or equivalent, a clean background check, and basic knowledge of security procedures. Familiarity with surveillance equipment, incident reporting systems, and first aid certification is often required. Strong interpersonal skills, stress management, and sound judgment help you handle challenging situations and interact with inmates and colleagues effectively. These abilities are critical for maintaining safety, order, and professionalism within a correctional facility.

What jobs can you work in jail?

Entry-level prison jobs include roles such as correctional officer, detention officer, or security staff, which involve supervising inmates, maintaining safety, and enforcing rules. These positions typically require training, background checks, and adherence to strict security protocols, often working in shifts within the facility environment.

Why do so many people quit corrections?

Many people quit correctional officer jobs due to high stress, safety concerns, and challenging work environments. The job often involves irregular hours, exposure to violence, and emotional strain, which can lead to burnout and high turnover rates.

What are some common challenges faced by entry-level correctional officers, and how can new hires prepare for them?

Entry-level correctional officers often encounter challenges such as managing difficult inmate behavior, adapting to strict security protocols, and working long or irregular shifts. New hires can prepare by developing strong communication skills, maintaining physical fitness, and familiarizing themselves with facility policies and procedures. Building resilience and seeking support from experienced colleagues can also help new officers adjust to the demands of the role and ensure a safer, more effective work environment.
What are the most commonly searched types of Prison jobs in Florida? The most popular types of Prison jobs in Florida are:
What cities in Florida are hiring for Entry Level Prison jobs? Cities in Florida with the most Entry Level Prison job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Prison job openings in Florida as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $26,325 per year, or $12.7 per hour.

$50K - $54K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Job Posting Title

Probation and Parole Officer

Agency

131 DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

Supervisory Organization

DOC P&P Region I

Job Posting End Date

Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Full/Part-Time

Full time

Job Type

Regular

Compensation

Level I - $48,044.52
Level II - $50,834.80
Level III - $54,700.76

Job Description

Location:

Probation and Parole Region I/Miami

Required: Please upload transcript

Basic Purpose:

Positions in this job family are responsible for performing routine professional social service and law enforcement duties in the areas of assessment of criminogenic need, transition plan design, treatment referral and on going monitoring of offender behavior. Supervision services are provided in the community for probationers, parolees and inmates in re-entry programs for the purpose of increasing public safety through the reduction of future criminal behavior.

Typical Functions:

  • Manages a caseload of adult felons by employing motivational interviewing skills to complete a scientific assessment of criminogenic risk/need and to determine the offender's stage of change for each identified need area; criminogenic needs of each offender; referring offenders to appropriate treatment and/or programs to target the offender's primary criminogenic needs; monitoring activities of offenders to ensure adherence to action steps negotiated through transition planning and to conditions ordered by releasing authority; assisting offenders in obtaining and maintaining employment; engaging on-going support for the offender in the community by assisting the offender in identifying a network of family and friends with a pro-social orientation; and identifying pro-social interests and activities that are geared toward improving bonds and ties to pro-social community members.
  • Conducts various investigations including, but not limited to, pre-sentence, interstate, pre-pardon and pre-parole.
  • Prepare reports concerning activities of offenders and provide recommendations for the use of the releasing authority.
  • Maintain documentation, physical and electronic, relating to management of offender caseload.
  • Monitor payment of financial obligations ordered by the releasing authority; collect and document offender payments.
  • Assists in security operations in the event of a prison riot or disturbance; and arrests and transports offenders when required.
  • Conduct periodic screening for drug and alcohol use by offenders.

Level Descriptor:

Level I

This is the basic level where the incumbents perform entry-level duties involved in the supervision of probationers, parolees and inmates in re-entry programs.

Level II

This is the career level where incumbents perform a variety of professional probation and parole duties at the full performance level involving the supervision of probationers, parolees and of inmates in pre-entry programs. Some responsibility may also be assigned for providing training and guidance to others in completing various routine assignments.

Level III

This is the specialist level where incumbents serve as a subject matter expert in a specific area of evidence based practice such as motivational interviewing, assessment or transition planning; provide direct cognitive programming to an offender population; responsible for the supervision of offenders who present complex and difficult behavioral management issues.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Competencies:

Level I

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, legislation, policies and procedures as they pertain to offenders and the Department of Corrections; of evidence based practices in the supervision of offenders; of community resources; of public and private re-entry and transitional services; of report writing; of basic investigation techniques; of basic law enforcement practices; of counseling techniques and motivational interviewing; and of substance testing and collection methods.

Ability is required to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community, families, service agencies, and other support systems; to locate suitable employment for community based offenders; to motivate clients to change antisocial behaviors; to manage substantial caseloads; to give courtroom testimony; to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; to understand and implement evidence-based practices relative to community supervision of offenders; and to use electronic technology in the supervision of offenders and in the management of offender-related information.

Level II

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, legislation, policies and procedures as they pertain to offenders and the Department of Corrections; of evidence based practices in the supervision of offenders; of community resources; of public and private re-entry and transitional services; of report writing; of basic investigation techniques; of basic law enforcement practices; of counseling techniques and motivational interviewing; and of substance testing and collection methods.

Ability is required to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community, families, service agencies, and other support systems; to locate suitable employment for community based offenders; to motivate clients to change antisocial behaviors; to manage substantial caseloads; to give courtroom testimony; to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; to understand and implement evidence-based practices relative to community supervision of offenders; and to use electronic technology in the supervision of offenders and in the management of offender-related information.

Level III

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, legislation, policies and procedures as they pertain to offenders and the Department of Corrections; of evidence based practices in the supervision of offenders; of community resources; of public and private re-entry and transitional services; of report writing; of basic investigation techniques; of basic law enforcement practices; of counseling techniques and motivational interviewing; of substance testing and collection methods; and of a specific area of evidence-based practice.

Ability is required to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community, families, service agencies, and other support systems; to locate suitable employment for community based offenders; to motivate clients to change antisocial behaviors; to manage substantial caseloads; to give courtroom testimony; to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; to understand and implement evidence-based practices relative to community supervision of offenders; to use electronic technology in the supervision of offenders and in the management of offender-related information; and to provide consultation, training, mentoring and oversight for other staff in the application of the area of expertise.

Education and Experience:

Level I

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of the statutory requirements of Title 57 O.S. Section 515: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university including at least twenty-four semester hours in any combination of psychology, sociology, social work, criminology, education, criminal justice administration, penology or police science.

Level II

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of the statutory requirements of Title 57 O.S. Section 515: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university including at least twenty-four semester hours in any combination of psychology, sociology, social work, criminology, education, criminal justice administration, penology or police science plus two years of correctional experience in social casework which involved the classification, assessment or field supervision of probationers and parolees and/or inmates; or substitution of a master's degree in the fields of study listed for one year only of the required work experience.

Level III

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of the statutory requirements of Title 57 O.S. Section 515: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university including at least twenty-four semester hours in any combination of psychology, sociology, social work, criminology, education, criminal justice administration, penology or police science plus four years of correctional experience in social casework which involved the classification, assessment or field supervision of probationers and parolees and/or inmates; or substitution of a master's degree in the fields of study listed for one year only of the required work experience.

Special Requirements:

Applicants must be willing and able to perform all job-related travel normally associated with this position and possess a valid driver's license.

Applicants will be subject to drug testing.

NOTE: Probation and Parole Officers shall meet all of the training and qualifications for peace officers required by Section 3311 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes (57 O.S. 515) to include any psychological or physical testing required by Section 3311 for eligibility to complete a basic police course or be certified as a peace officer.

No person who has been convicted of a nonviolent felony or crime involving moral turpitude and who has not received a full pardon from the proper authority, or who has been convicted of any other felony offense, is eligible for employment in this job classification. (70 O.S. 3311.E and 21 O.S. 1283.B)

No person who has received a verdict of guilty or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any offense required to register pursuant to the Sex Offenders Registration Act is eligible for employment in this job classification. (57 O.S. 589.C

No person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, who has not been pardoned for, or had the conviction expunged or set aside; or is subject to a court order that restrains the person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or the partner's child or engaging in other conduct that would place an intimate partner or the partner's child in reasonable fear of bodily injury and includes a finding that the person is a credible threat; or who has been dishonorably discharged from any branch of the armed services is eligible for employment in this job classification. (18 U.S.C. 922

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.

If you are needing any extra assistance or have any questions relating to a job you have applied for, please click the link below and find the agency for which you applied for additional information:

Agency Contact