About this role
Salary Range: $27.66 - $37.34 per hour Application Deadline: September 11, 2026 @ 12:00 p.m. Interview Date: September 17, 2026 FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Bargaining Unit: LELS #81 Department: Jail
Position Summary
Mower County is seeking dependable, professional, and safety-focused individuals to join our Jail team as a Correctional Officer.
Correctional Officers are responsible for maintaining the security, health, welfare, and safety of individuals incarcerated in the County correctional facility. This position supervises inmates, enforces facility rules and regulations, conducts security and well-being checks, performs searches, assists with booking and release procedures, maintains records, and responds to incidents within the facility.
This position requires sound judgment, professionalism, integrity, effective communication, and the ability to remain composed in challenging or potentially confrontational situations.
Because Correctional Officers may be called upon to provide testimony in court or other proceedings, employees are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that supports their ability to provide credible and effective testimony.
Minimum Qualifications
• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of three years of work experience.
Required License
• Valid driver's license or evidence of equal mobility.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
• Maintain the safety and security of inmates, staff, visitors, and the correctional facility.
• Supervise inmates and enforce applicable facility rules, policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Conduct routine security and inmate well-being checks.
• Monitor inmate behavior and respond appropriately to safety or security concerns.
• Conduct searches of inmates, cells, housing areas, and other areas of the facility in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.
• Perform gender-specific searches or related duties when required by facility procedures and privacy considerations.
• Perform booking and release duties.
• Collect, document, and maintain required inmate and medical information.
• Maintain accurate records, reports, logs, and other required documentation.
• Monitor inmate movement and activities throughout the facility.
• Respond rapidly to emergencies, disturbances, code calls, and other security incidents.
• Use approved defensive tactics, restraints, and other security equipment when necessary.
• Follow applicable federal and state laws, County ordinances, and correctional policies and procedures.
• Protect inmate rights while maintaining facility safety and security.
• Communicate professionally with inmates, coworkers, supervisors, law enforcement personnel, visitors, and members of the public.
• Provide credible and effective testimony in court or other proceedings when required.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
The successful candidate should possess or have the ability to develop knowledge and skills in:
• Jail facility policies, procedures, and security requirements.
• Federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
• Inmate rights.
• Search and seizure procedures.
• Defensive tactics and self-defense techniques.
• Supervising and managing inmate behavior.
• Responding effectively to emergencies and disturbances.
• Maintaining accurate records, reports, and logs.
• Using computers and related software applications.
• Operating modern office and correctional equipment.
• Communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
• Following detailed policies, procedures, and work direction.
• Exercising sound judgment in stressful or rapidly changing situations.
• Maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and appropriate boundaries.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements
This position works in a secure correctional facility operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
The work may require:
• Frequent standing, walking, and climbing.
• Intermittent lifting of up to 50 pounds.
• Heavier pushing, pulling, or physical restraint when necessary.
• Rapid response to emergency calls and inmate disturbances.
• Working in situations involving verbal confrontation, physical posturing, intimidating behavior, or the potential for physical altercations.
• Safely restraining individuals when necessary and in accordance with training and policy.
• Ability to distinguish between colors used for inmate security and facility operations.
• Working with two-way radios, computers, telephones, fingerprinting equipment, restraints, irritants, Tasers, and other correctional equipment.
• Potential exposure to bodily fluids, communicable diseases, hazardous chemicals, disagreeable odors, individuals experiencing mental health concerns, and individuals under the influence of controlled substances.
Because the Jail operates continuously, employees may occasionally be required to adjust their normal work schedules to maintain adequate staffing. Work schedules may include days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and other nontraditional hours.
Reasonable accommodations may be available to qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.
Confidentiality and Data Practices
Employees in this position may encounter Not Public Data as defined by Minnesota or federal law while performing their duties.
Employees must access confidential information only when necessary to perform assigned job responsibilities and must take appropriate measures to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure.
Employees are expected to comply with Mower County Data Practices and Data Security policies and all applicable Minnesota and federal laws regarding confidential information.
Benefits
Mower County offers a competitive benefits package that may include:
• Competitive pay
• Paid time off
• 13 paid holidays
• Minnesota PERA retirement
• Weekend, night, and holiday premiums
• Health insurance, including some plans with a $0 monthly employee premium
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• On-site fitness room
• Additional benefit and retirement programs
• Minnesota Paid Leave Program
• Employer-paid short-term disability