Role Overview
As a Correctional Trades Leader (CTL), you will perform journey-level work across multiple structural trades (carpentry, painting, plumbing, electrical, masonry) and mechanical systems (HVAC, auto mechanics, welding). In this role, you will balance hands-on technical maintenance with leadership, guiding and supervising resident crews to maintain and repair facility buildings, machinery, and equipment.
Key Responsibilities
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System & Equipment Maintenance: Act as the primary point of contact for keeping all department equipment, machinery, and mechanical systems fully operational.
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Crew Supervision & Janitorial Oversight: Lead, instruct, and supervise a crew of facility residents in executing weekly cleaning schedules. Ensure common areas are vacuumed, windows are cleaned, trash is removed, and restrooms are sanitized and restocked.
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Seasonal Groundskeeping: Oversee and physically participate in year-round grounds maintenance for all department-owned properties, including mowing, weed/tree trimming, snow removal, and ice-melt application.
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Safety & Compliance: Conduct routine facility inspections and maintain rigorous documentation to ensure strict compliance with OSHA standards, Federal Bureau of Prisons statements of work, and Department of Corrections (DOC) policies.
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Procurement & Vendor Management: Complete the State of Iowa procurement training to independently manage maintenance purchasing. Research parts, request estimates, communicate with vendors, and process purchase orders in alignment with management guidelines.
What You’ll Bring
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Experience & Technical Expertise: Journey-level experience or equivalent formal training in one or more core trades (e.g., electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, or mechanical repairs).
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Leadership & Supervision: The ability to lead, direct, and motivate a diverse team. Experience supervising work crews or instructing others in a vocational/labor setting is highly preferred.
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Adaptability & Physical Stamina: Ready and willing to handle a wide range of physical tasks, from heavy mechanical repairs to seasonal outdoor groundskeeping (mowing and snow removal) and facility janitorial work.
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Strong Safety Mindset: A commitment to maintaining high safety standards and the ability to strictly follow OSHA guidelines and Department of Corrections (DOC) security protocols.
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Administrative & Computer Skills: The aptitude to complete State of Iowa procurement training, research parts, communicate professionally with vendors, and manage digital documentation and purchase orders.
What We Offer
Join a team-oriented, positive work environment where your contributions are valued. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
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Retirement: Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS) and optional 457 savings plan with employer contributions.
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Health & Wellness: Excellent affordable health, dental, life and vision insurance.
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Time Off: Generous paid holidays, plus accrued vacation and sick time.
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Discounts: Access to various employee discount programs.
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., some travel required
New Hire training:
Two (2) weeks of offsite training.
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.
Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
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Four years of full-time work experience in one or more of the recognized building (e.g., carpentry, painting, plumbing/pipefitting, electrical and masonry) and mechanical/repair (e.g., air conditioning/ heating, auto mechanics, upholstery and welding) trades.
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A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in a recognized building and mechanical trade for each year of the required experience.
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Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Furniture Upholsterer, Mason, Maintenance Repairer, Carpenter 1 or 2, Painter 1 or 2, Plumber 1 or 2, or Welder.
For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description. (Download PDF reader)
Within a period of time, as determined by the appointing authority, persons in this class may be required to obtain a license to perform electrical work in accordance with Chapter 103, Iowa Code
Designated positions in this job class require applicants to obtain the required commercial driver's license and endorsements within a period of time as determined by the appointing authority at the time of hire.
