The Upper Peninsula’s next Michigan Department of Corrections academy is scheduled to take place on Jan. 10, 2021, as the department scrambles to recruit corrections officers, nurses, mental health staff and food service employees.
MDOC Public Information Officer Chris Gautz confirmed a need for 900 officers state-wide, adding that specific sets of numbers are needed to run each correctional facility. The job vacancy rate for nurses is 40%.
“The need for corrections officers varies by facility,” Gautz said. “We have some that have only one or two vacancies, but we have one that has 89 vacancies. Marquette Branch Prison has 41 spots to fill; Kinross Correctional Facility has 31 vacancies; Chippewa Correctional Facility has 28 vacancies; Baraga Correctional Facility has 34 vacancies; and Alger Correctional facility has 27 vacancies.”
The peninsula’s MDOC Department Analyst Recruiter Jill Salomon is doing her part to recruit and employ as many people as possible. She has joined forces with U.P. Michigan Works to schedule upcoming job fairs.
There was an open house at the Kinross training center on Wednesday, where 11 prospective applicants interviewed for a position. Of the 11 applicants, 10 went on to complete the department’s physical agility exam. Nine were tentatively hired by the department, pending passing background checks.
The next open house is scheduled to take place at the Michigan Works Office in Sault Ste Marie on Monday, Dec. 20. Interviews will be conducted on the spot. Due to size limitations, the physical agility portion of the interview will be scheduled to take place elsewhere.
All applicants are invited to show up at the Kinross training center Monday through Friday to apply and interview on the spot.
“I would suggest dressing business casual and bringing PT gear,” said Salomon. “We have changing areas available.”
“Just because you apply at the Kinross facility doesn’t mean you have to work there,” said Salomon, in attempt to help fill positions throughout the state.
According to the Michigan Civil Service Commission website, the starting wage for corrections officer is $18.93 an hour. Applicants must be 18 years of age at the time of employment to be considered for hire. They must pass a post-job-offer medical exam, drug screen, and physical fitness test. A thorough background investigation will be conducted.
Applicants must attend an eight week corrections officer training academy, followed by eight weeks of on the job training to obtain certification.
The department requires the completion of 15 college credits in any field of study, in which the applicant has time to fulfill.
“An employee has up to 24 months to meet the education requirement,” said Salomon.
For Salomon and many others, the MDOC has offered opportunities for advancement, training and growth.
“There are always promotional opportunities available,” she said. “It is not a dead end job.
This is a great job. “It has allowed me to stay in the community, raise a family and send my kids to school.”
Gautz confirmed pay increases over the course of five years. Various promotional opportunities such as sergeant or lieutenant pay more money. Overtime is usually always available.
“The compensation, alone, provides a good hourly wage,” said Salomon. “The 401 (k) matches up to 9%. Officers get a longevity bonus after five years. Monetarily, it is a great position. After four years, they are vested in their 401 (k). They get birthday leave every year. That’s a free eight hours off each year. In a nutshell, an employee could potentially have 30 days off within their first year of employment. Compensatory time is available. New moms and dads get a 12 weeks paid leave for adoptions and births. Our medical includes dental, vision and flexible spending accounts.”
Both Gautz and Salomon would like to remind people of the most important reason to work for the MDOC – You are hired to protect the public.
“It’s a chance to make a difference and change lives,” said Gautz. “I like to tell people that 95% of prisoners will go home. They could go home to your community. Wouldn’t you rather those individuals have had a good experience and development skills along the way? Or do you want them angry, without the skills needed to do better? It is a way to help them avoid retuning to a life of crime or creating more victims.”
Gautz said there is a push to hire veterans. The department has veteran liaisons to help fill out paperwork and answer specific questions.
He congratulated the 117 new officers who completed academy training yesterday to be officially hired by the MDOC. Among the group, 16 veterans were recognized.
The next Michigan Department of Corrections hiring event is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 20. at the Michigan Works Office in Sault Ste. Marie. It is located at 1118 E Easterday Ave.
Its phone number is 906-635-1752.
Kinross Correctional Facility is located at 16770 South Watertower Drive, Kincheloe. Its phone number is 906-495-2282.
