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State Prison Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

State of Iowa

Registered Nurse

Fort Madison, IA

$63K - $98K/yr

Join us in delivering top-notch medical care in a maximum-security prison setting, where your ... Current state employees are not eligible for recruitment payments upon transfer, demotion, or ...

State of Iowa

Institutional Superintendent

Des Moines, IA · Hybrid

$85K - $171K/yr

This is a non-merit position with the Iowa Health & Human Services - State Operated Specialty Care ... prison terms, but, in a separate civil trial, have been found likely to reoffend The facility ...

State of Iowa

Registered Nurse

Fort Madison, IA · On-site

$63K - $98K/yr

Join us in delivering top-notch medical care in a maximum-security prison setting, where your ... Current state employees are not eligible for recruitment payments upon transfer, demotion, or ...

State of Iowa

Data Scientist 2

Des Moines, IA · Hybrid

$99K - $142K/yr

... Prison Population Forecast. Drive the development of public-facing dashboards and internal ... The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees ...

GovernmentJobs.com

Registered Nurse

Fort Madison, IA · On-site

Join us in delivering top-notch medical care in a maximum-security prison setting, where your ... Current state employees are not eligible for recruitment payments upon transfer, demotion, or ...

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All JobsState Prison JobsState Prison Jobs in Iowa

State Prison information

See Iowa salary details

$10

$49

$85

How much do state prison jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for state prison in Iowa is $49.83, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.12 and $77.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a state prison?

State prisons are correctional facilities operated by state governments to house individuals convicted of violating state laws. These facilities typically hold inmates serving sentences longer than one year, often for felonies. State prisons differ from federal prisons, which are run by the federal government for those convicted of federal crimes. Inmates in state prisons may participate in rehabilitation, education, and work programs during their incarceration.

What skills and qualifications are needed to work as a correctional officer in a state prison?

To thrive as a State Prison Correctional Officer, you need a high school diploma or GED, knowledge of criminal justice procedures, and physical fitness to manage security and inmate interactions. Familiarity with security systems, surveillance technology, and incident reporting tools is typically required, and some states may require completion of a correctional officer training academy. Strong communication, conflict resolution, and stress management skills are essential for maintaining order and safety. These capabilities are crucial to ensure the secure, humane, and effective operation of correctional facilities.

What challenges do correctional officers face in a state prison, and how can they manage them?

Correctional officers in state prisons often encounter challenges such as maintaining safety in a high-stress environment, managing conflicts between inmates, and adapting to changing schedules or mandatory overtime. Building strong communication skills, practicing situational awareness, and participating in ongoing training can help officers manage these challenges effectively. Additionally, seeking support from colleagues and utilizing employee assistance programs can be valuable in coping with the demands of the role.

What is the difference between State Prison vs Correctional Officer?

AspectState PrisonCorrectional Officer
CredentialsHigh school diploma or GED; background check; training programHigh school diploma or GED; training academy; background check
Work EnvironmentSecure prison facility, often large and complexInside prison facilities, supervising inmates
Employer & IndustryState government correctional departmentsState correctional facilities, federal or private prisons
Job RoleManage inmate behavior, enforce rules, maintain securitySupervise inmates, monitor activities, ensure safety

While a State Prison refers to the facility itself, a Correctional Officer is the professional responsible for maintaining security and order within that facility. Both roles require similar credentials and work in the correctional industry, but the prison is the environment, and the officer is the personnel ensuring safety and compliance.

What are popular job titles related to State Prison jobs in Iowa?

For State Prison jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching State Prison jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for State Prison jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for State Prison jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most State Prison job openings:

State Prison jobs near you
Infographic showing various State Prison job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, and 15% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $103,643 per year, or $49.8 per hour.

Correctional Food Service Coordinator

State of Iowa

Mitchellville, IA

$50K - $74K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

State Of Iowa rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 83 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

41st of 50 rated states

Job description

Job Description This is a female position only NOTE: This position has been designated as a FEMALE only position, due to the gender-specific requirements of the Federal Bureau of Prisons contract. In addition, as long as the position carries the BFOQ designation, a male may not occupy the position. The Iowa Correctional Institution for Women is a multi-faceted correctional institution that serves as the only female facility and female reception center for the Iowa Department of Corrections.

Correctional Food Service Workers are a vital part of ICIW's operations. This position currently works 4 ten hour days on a rotating schedule. Key responsibilities include: - Supervision and Coordination: Leading offender workers in daily food production and cleaning.

This includes clarifying roles, inspecting food quality and portion control, and ensuring efficient service. - Safety and Security: Training workers on equipment use, maintaining tool and supply counts, and managing contraband protocols. Staff are also responsible for performing pat searches of offender workers exiting the dietary area.

- Inventory and Maintenance: Ordering food and supplies from vendors, ensuring proper storage, and monitoring freezer/refrigerator temperatures three times daily. - Sanitation: Adhering to State Health Department standards by delegating cleaning assignments and enforcing personal hygiene policies for all staff and workers. - Professionalism: Maintaining a cooperative attitude, working effectively under pressure, and serving as a positive role model.

This includes consistent attendance and clear communication with supervisors regarding menu modifications or operational concerns. E-Verify and Right to Work The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States.

The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees' rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov. Minimum Qualification Requirements Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification: Two years of full-time work experience in mass food production in a commercial, military, hospital, or institutional food services setting

A total of two years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in dietetics, nutrition, food management or a closely related equals one year of full-time experience. Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Cook 1, Cook 2, or Baker. For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

Additional Qualification Requirements Within a period of time after hire, as determined by the appointing authority, employees in this class may be required to obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and endorsements. NOTE: This position has been designated as a FEMALE only position, due to the gender-specific requirements of the Federal Bureau of Prisons contract.

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About State of Iowa

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The State of Iowa is not a company but the governmental structure of the U.S. state of Iowa, stationed in the capital city, Des Moines. The official website, iowa.gov, is a platform dedicated to providing information and services related to the state's governance. As a governmental establishment, the State of Iowa's 'industry' primarily involves social governance, policy-making, and public administration, overseeing sectors like education, health, transportation, agriculture, and other public services.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Des Moines, IA, US

Year founded

1939

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