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Federal Correctional Officer Jobs in Rochester, MN

Federal Correctional Officer information

See Rochester, MN salary details

$29.5K

$54.9K

$76.2K

How much do federal correctional officer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for federal correctional officer in Rochester, MN is $54,898.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,800.00 and $61,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Federal Correctional Officer vs State Correctional Officer?

AspectFederal Correctional OfficerState Correctional Officer
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; sometimes required to pass specific federal examsHigh school diploma or equivalent; may require state-specific training or certification
Work EnvironmentFederal prisons across the country, often larger facilitiesState prisons within a specific state, varying in size and security levels
Employer & IndustryU.S. Federal Bureau of PrisonsState Department of Corrections
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared due to similar duties, credentials, and work settings

Federal Correctional Officers and State Correctional Officers share similar roles in maintaining security and order within correctional facilities. The main differences lie in their employer, jurisdiction, and sometimes specific training requirements. Both roles require a high school diploma and involve working in secure environments, but federal officers work for the federal government, while state officers serve within their respective states.

What challenges do federal correctional officers face and how can they manage them?

Federal Correctional Officers often face challenges such as maintaining safety and order, managing stressful situations, and communicating effectively with inmates and colleagues. Dealing with potentially volatile individuals requires strong situational awareness, emotional resilience, and adherence to protocols. Officers can effectively manage these challenges by participating in ongoing training, utilizing available support resources, and working closely with their team to foster a secure and respectful environment. Building strong communication skills and practicing self-care are also important for long-term success in this role.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a federal correctional officer?

To thrive as a Federal Correctional Officer, you generally need a high school diploma or GED, strong judgment, physical fitness, and a clean background check, with some positions requiring college coursework or military experience. Familiarity with security protocols, incident reporting systems, and communication devices such as two-way radios is important. Exceptional interpersonal skills, stress management, and the ability to remain calm under pressure help officers maintain order and build professional relationships with inmates and staff. These skills and qualities are essential to ensure safety, enforce regulations, and effectively manage challenging situations within correctional facilities.

What is a federal correctional officer?

Federal Correctional Officers are law enforcement professionals who work in federal prisons and detention facilities overseen by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Their primary responsibility is to maintain order, enforce rules, and ensure the safety and security of inmates, staff, and the facility. They also supervise inmate activities, conduct inspections, and respond to emergencies. Correctional officers play a crucial role in the rehabilitation process by supporting programs that promote positive behavior among inmates. The job can be challenging and requires strong communication, observation, and conflict-resolution skills.

What are popular job titles related to Federal Correctional Officer jobs in Rochester, MN?

For Federal Correctional Officer jobs in Rochester, MN, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Federal Correctional Officer jobs in Rochester, MN look for?

The top searched job categories for Federal Correctional Officer jobs in Rochester, MN are:

What cities near Rochester, MN are hiring for Federal Correctional Officer jobs?

Cities near Rochester, MN with the most Federal Correctional Officer job openings:

Infographic showing various Federal Correctional Officer job openings in Rochester, MN as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,898 per year, or $26.4 per hour.

Correctional Officer - Recruitment Incentive - Direct Hire

BOP: General Practitioner

Rochester, MN

$43K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.
Qualifications:

To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements:
Education:
GL-04:
Successfully completed education above the high school level in any field may be substituted for general experience at the rate of 30 semester hours for one year of experience.
GL-05: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
GL-06: 9 semester hours or 14 quarter hours of graduate level education in a major study in criminal justice, social science, or other field related to this position.
GL-07: One full academic year of graduate education with major study in criminal justice, social science, or other field related to the position is qualifying for GL-07.
GL-08: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for this position.
OR
Experience:
GL-04:
At least 2 years of full-time general experience, one year of which is equivalent to the GL-03 level in the Federal service.

General experience is defined as progressively responsible work that demonstrates the ability to:

  • Follow and apply rules, procedures, or regulations.
  • Use sound judgment in decision-making.
  • Communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
  • Maintain composure and take appropriate action in emergency or stressful situations.

GL-05: At least 3 years of full-time general experience, one year of which was equivalent to the GL-04 grade level. This experience must have demonstrated the aptitude for acquiring the qualifications required for correctional work, and, in addition, demonstrate the possession of personal attributes important to the effectiveness of correctional officers, such as:

  • Ability to meet and deal with people of differing backgrounds and behavioral patterns.
  • Ability to be persuasive in selling and influencing ideas.
  • Ability to lead, supervise, and instruct others.
  • Sympathetic attitude towards the welfare of others.
  • Ability to reason soundly and to think out practical solutions to problems.
  • Ability to make decisions and act quickly, particularly under stress.
  • Poise and self-confidence, and ability to remain calm during emergency situations.

For examples of qualifying general experience, please refer to the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section of this announcement.

GL-06: You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade. Specialized experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled.
Examples of occupations where specialized experience may have been gained:

  • Correctional Officer
  • Detention Officer
  • Police Officer
  • Border Patrol Agent
  • State Trooper
  • Sheriff
  • Park Ranger
  • Deputy Sheriff supervising inmates in a jail
  • Mental Health Counselor in a Residential Facility

Some examples of this qualifying experience are:

  • Experience with instructing inmates with proper housekeeping and sanitation.
  • Experience working as a Police Officer responding to domestic disturbances and issuing citations for law violations.
  • Experience in investigating crime scenes as a State Trooper.
  • Experience as a Mental Health Worker in a Mental Health Lockdown facility.

GL-07: You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade. Specialized experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled.
Examples of occupations where specialized experience may have been gained:

  • Correctional Officer
  • Jailer
  • Detention Officer
  • Deputy Sheriff supervising inmates in a jail.
  • Military Corrections (Brig, Internment/Resettlement Specialist, etc.

Some examples of this qualifying experience are:

  • Providing supervision, care and security of inmates in a correctional environment.
  • Experience supervising inmates throughout the institution and providing instructions related to institutional procedures and sanitation.
  • Experience with enforcing rules and regulations governing correctional institution security, inmate accountability and inmate conduct.
  • Experience with conducting various count procedures of inmates.
  • Experience working various correctional posts, assignments (such as Control Room, Rear-gate, Housing Units, etc.).

GL-08: You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade. Specialized experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled. Experience must have been gained in a correctional facility with responsibilities in correctional treatment, care, custody, and control of inmates.
Some examples of this qualifying experience are:

  • Experience with assignments made to those areas requiring the maximum skill and expertise in dealing with inmates, the public, and the security of the institution.
  • Experience in supervising and instructing inmates regarding proper sanitation, personal hygiene and work habits.
  • Experience in maintaining the control and discipline of inmates in such areas as the auditorium, housing units, segregation, recreation areas, dining rooms, etc.
  • Experience in having responsibility for the custody and control of inmates who require special handling.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience:
GL-04 Only:
Have a combination of education and experience. This experience must have equipped you with the qualifications to perform the major duties of this position as described above.

AND
Medical Requirement:
The Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons has established the following medical requirements for Correctional Officer positions:
The duties of these positions involve unusual mental and nervous pressure and require arduous physical exertion involving prolonged walking and standing, restraining of prisoners in emergencies, and participating in escape hunts. Applicants must be physically capable of performing efficiently the duties of these positions and be free from such defects or disease as may constitute employment hazards to themselves or others. The duties of a Correctional Officer are arduous; and sound health as well as physical fitness is required.
If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as the number of hours worked per week) spent in activities.
**Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.**

Education:

See Qualifications Section for education requirements, if applicable.

ONLY if education is a requirement/substitution for specialized experience, applicant MUST upload legible transcripts as verification of educational requirement. Transcripts MUST be uploaded and electronically linked from USAJOBS at the time you apply and MUST include identifying information to include School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, Click Here.

Foreign Education: For information regarding foreign education requirements, please see Foreign Diploma and Credit Recognition at the U.S. Department of Education website: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

If you are selected for this position and qualified based on education (i.e. basic education requirement and/or substitution of education), you will be required to provide an OFFICIAL transcript prior to your first day on duty.

Employment Type: OTHER