Correctional Officer 1 (SW26.04A)

Job Description

Effective July 1, 2026 the wage for this position increased by 5%.  The wage listed in this job posting reflects the increase.

Are you looking to start a new, exciting, fulfilling career that’s more than just a job?

Are you interested in Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice?

The Department of Corrections is recruiting for multiple Correctional Officer 1 positions.

This is a continuous recruitment posting, if you have already applied for a Correctional Officer position, there is no need to reapply.

Correctional Officers earn up to 16 days of paid leave for the first two years of employment, increasing after two (2) years based on years of service, as well as also receiving 11 paid holidays annually.

This recruitment is for an 84-hour work week, with a schedule of "week on/week off" that alternates "day/night shifts."

Watch Alaska DOC's video here:

DOC 2026_45 sec

Watch Alaska DOC’s Correctional Officer video here:

Correctional Officers

What You Will Be Doing:

Embark on a career in Corrections with numerous training and promotion paths. As a correctional officer, you will play a vital role in reforming those in custody and helping them positively contribute to society. Start a rewarding career with growth prospects and make a meaningful impact in our community. We look forward to welcoming you!

New Correctional Officers undergo 12-14 months of structured field training and attend a seven-week Correctional Officer Academy. After completing training and receiving the APSC Correctional Officer Certificate, you will be promoted to Correctional Officer 2.

Our Mission, Values, and Culture:

The mission of the Alaska Department of Corrections is to promote public safety. Our division provides secure confinement, access to reformative programs and offender management planning that promotes successful community reentry.

Benefits of Joining Our Team:

Correctional Officers receive up to 16 days of paid leave in their first two years of employment, which increases based on years of service. Additionally, they receive 12 paid holidays annually.

This recruitment is for an 84-hour work week, with a "week on/week off" schedule that alternates between day and night shifts.

Moving and relocation incentives may be available to the selected candidates.

The Working Environment You Can Expect:

Our facilities operate 24/7, 365 days a year, offering dynamic work environments with opportunities for career advancement and specialized training programs exclusive to the Alaska Department of Corrections. Serving the Great State of Alaska, our facilities house unsentenced, sentenced, and Federal inmates. We have a dedicated staff that includes medical professionals, acute psychiatric medical personnel, and other experts. If you seek a challenging yet rewarding environment where you can make a real difference, the Alaska Department of Corrections might be the right place for you!

Who We Are Looking For:

To be successful in the position, a candidate will need the following core competencies:

Ability to follow oral and written instructions, knowledge of business software, and effectively communicate required information.

Ability to learn and apply techniques of self-defense, firearms, appropriate force to protect oneself / others and act quickly in emergencies, including diffusing conflicts by utilizing sound judgment; and

Ability to read and comprehend statutes, regulations, and procedures, apply them to specific situations, and explain procedures and requirements to the public, others, and the inmate population.

To truly excel in this position, a candidate will have or develop the following competencies:

Assist with maintaining order and discipline, operate security control room, learn and apply techniques of handling unruly and violent prisoners, using the minimum force necessary, in resolving situations, and routine security checks and inspections; and

Assist in creating and maintaining an atmosphere conducive to the rehabilitation of prisoners.

The Department of Corrections is seeking motivated and detail-oriented individuals to join our team. With 13 facilities statewide, we house over 4,664 offenders and employ more than 1,000 staff, including Correctional Officers and support staff. If you are passionate about making a difference and maintaining safety, we would love to hear from you. Join us in positively impacting our communities!

In the Supplemental Questions, you can choose your preferred location(s) from facilities listed below.

Bethel:

Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center Home | Institutions | Alaska Department of Corrections

Eagle River:

Hiland Mountain Correctional Center | Institutions | Alaska Department of Corrections

Fairbanks:

Fairbanks Correctional Center Home | Institutions | Alaska Department of Corrections

Juneau:

Lemon Creek Correctional Center Home | Institutions | Alaska Department of Corrections

Kenai:

Wildwood Correctional Complex Home | Institutions | Alaska Department of Corrections

Ketchikan:

Ketchikan Correctional Center | Institutions | Alaska Department of Corrections

Mat-Su Pretrial:

Mat-Su Pretrial Home | Institutions | Alaska Department of Corrections

Palmer:

Palmer

Correctional Center Home | Institutions | Alaska Department of Corrections

Seward:

Spring Creek Correctional Center Home | Institutions | Alaska Department of Corrections

Wasilla/Pt. Mackenzie:

Goose Creek Correctional Center Home | Institutions | Alaska Department of Corrections

Minimum Qualifications

At the time of employment be 21 years of age and a United States citizen or a United States National; have a high school or home school diploma recognized or certified by a state or a local school district within a state as having met that state's graduation requirement; or have a General Educational Development certificate.

Special Note:

Appointment to Correctional Officer 1 is conditional, pending successful completion of a thorough background investigation, psychological evaluation, drug screening, and medical examination.

This class series is considered technical/paraprofessional for purposes of evaluating minimum qualifications.

Possess a valid driver's license issued within the United States at time of appointment.

Employees must be willing to work shift assignments and on-call availability may be required.

Individuals not continuously employed since February 9, 1991, by the State of Alaska Department of Corrections in a "correctional officer," "probation officer," or "parole officer" position, as defined by 13 AAC 85.900, are subject to requirements established by Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC). As a condition of continued employment, these individuals must obtain a basic correctional officer certificate issued by the APSC within 14 months of hire.

Any employment action that resulted in discharge, resignation in lieu of discharge, or discipline, must be disclosed at the time of application to vacancies within this classification. Applicants who fail to provide this information will be deemed to be ineligible for interview or further consideration. Applicants with an employment action that makes them ineligible for certification under APSC regulations will be ineligible to receive an interview or further consideration.

For purposes of the minimum qualifications for this job class, "misdemeanor" means:

1)  A crime classified as a misdemeanor in Alaska at the time the crime was committed.

2)  A crime committed in another jurisdiction for which there was a conviction in that jurisdiction by a civilian or military court is a "misdemeanor" conviction if the crime has elements similar to those of a misdemeanor under Alaska law at the time the offense was committed.

3) An offense punishable as a misdemeanor in Alaska or under the law of another jurisdiction, that results in a completed suspended imposition of sentence, expungement of record, or a pardon, is considered a "misdemeanor" conviction unless the offense was committed by the person before the age of 21.

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