Correctional Career FAQ - Current ADC Employee

1. How do I apply?
   
   
   You can apply by filling out an [application for employment] and submitting it to your local recruitment office or the Phoenix recruitment office.
   



2. How do I begin the process?
   
   
   The first thing we need to get done is to get you scheduled for testing. On test day we will fill out all necessary paperwork. The rest of the processing includes a background check, medical/physical exam, psychological screening, and pre-employment drug testing.
   



3. How long is your academy?
   
   
   Our academy is nine weeks long. Our main academy campus is located in Tucson, Arizona. If you live within 50 miles of the academy campus you will commute on a daily basis. If you live outside the 50 mile range you will live on campus Monday through Friday. If you live in the Phoenix area you may qualify to attend one of our regional academies held approximately every 10 weeks at our Perryville or Lewis prison. [Correctional Officer Training Academy Info Page]
   



4. I work as a County Detention Officer, but went through your Academy, do I have to go back through your academy again?
   
   
   If it has been less than two years, you will not have to attend our academy. If it has been more than two years you may apply for a [training waiver]
   



5. I have two years experience as a Corrections Officer in another state, do I have to start out with the same pay as new Officers?
   
   
   No, you may apply for “experience pay.” You may obtain an application from your recruiter or  [get one on-line] and turn it in once you arrive at the academy. Once approved you will have a base salary for two years of experience with ADOC.
   



6. What is the starting salary?
   
   
   No prior correctional experience:

   Starting salary is $30,957 during the 9-week paid training period. A salary increase to $1,000 is granted following successful completion of training and upon assignment to the institution work location.   There is an additional geographical stipend of 10% and $100.00 per pay period for Florence and Lewis complexes and $2600 annually for Winslow Complex and Apache.

   Prior Correctional Experience:

   A higher salary is available for those with one to eight years of experience directly supervising incarcerated persons.  There is an additional geographical stipend of 10% and $100.00 per pay period for Florence and Lewis complexes and $2600 annually for Winslow Complex and Apache.

    

   Experience	Starting Salary	After Training
   1	$30,957	$31,957
   2	$32,142	$33,142
   3	$33,369	$34,369
   4	$34,014	$35,014
   5	$34,680	$35,680
   6	$35,366	$36,366
   7	$36,781	$37,781
   8	$37,509	$38,509




7. I worked as a police officer, does this experience count?
   
   
   Unfortunately, no, you have to have had direct supervision , on a daily basis of incarcerated persons
   



8. What benefits are available?
   
   
   The Arizona Department of Corrections offers many benefits including: Tuition reimbursement; vacation time accrual equivalent to 12 paid days each year; sick leave accrual equivalent to 12 paid days each year; 10 paid holidays; a 20-year retirement program; various plans for medical, dental and vision benefits; a life insurance plan; short and long-term disability; medical and dependent flexible spending accounts; and credit union membership. Upon graduation from our training academy, you receive 21-college credit hours.
   



9. Where will I work?
   
   
   You will select the institution of your choice on your initial application (see map below). When you come in for testing, the recruiter will go over location sites, custody levels and answer any question you may have about particular institutions. Upon graduation from our academy you will be assigned to the primary institution that you chose on your application. Work hours and particular units will be up to the needs of the institution.
   
   

   STATE PRISON COMPLEXES				CONTRACTED PRISONS
   (A)	Perryville	(H)	Safford	(D)	Kingman
   (B)	Lewis	(I)	Eyman	(E)	Marana
   (C)	Yuma	(J)	Florence	(K)	Florence West
   (F)	Douglas	(L)	Phoenix	(N)	Phoenix West
   (G)	Tucson	(M)	Winslow	(0)	Navajo County Jail
   				(P)	Coconino County Jail




10. What are the shifts?
    
    
    Different institutions work different shifts. There are two basic shift plans though: five eight hour shifts with shift hours being approximately 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and 9:00 to 7:00 a.m.; Some institutions have implemented 12 hour shifts. One week you will work four days and the following week you will work three days.
    



11. What about promotional opportunities?
    
    
    The promotional opportunities are tremendous. One of our institutions is much like a small city. We employ not only uniformed security staff, but medical, mental health, administrative, clerical and trades as well. You can apply for promotion up through the ranks in uniform every two years through experience and testing to Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Correctional Officer III and IV. Management opportunities in the security series also exist all the way up to the top spot: Warden. You may also be eligible to promote into non-uniform positions with the right qualifications.
    



12. If I have Corrections experience, do I have to go through your academy?
    
    
    Applicants with prior corrections experience may apply for a training waiver and, if qualified, attend a two-week abbreviated academy.