The opening of the new $120 million women’s prison in Chillicothe is on the horizon and the Missouri Department of Corrections is in the midst of a hiring blitz to add 300 workers to fill new positions at the facility. This number, added to the existing payroll roster, will boost the total number of corrections employees in Chillicothe to over 500.
The DOC is hosting a pre-employment/career fair this Thursday for immediate employment consideration for around 150 correctional officer applicants, officials say. Staff members will be on site to discuss other positions that may be available with the opening of the new Chillicothe Correctional Center. The career fair will be from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Chillicothe High School.
DOC currently employs just over 200 people at Chillicothe Correctional Center, plus contracts with around an additional 25 others to provide specialized services. With the opening of the new facility, the state plans to increase its worker count by 300, plus contract with more personnel to provide additional medical, mental health and substance abuse treatment.
The DOC workers now employed at Chillicothe Correctional Center are being offered positions with the new facility, according to DOC spokesman Brian Hauswirth.
“Everyone working there now who wants to come over will have a job,” he said.
Although the career fair is to hire only Department of Corrections state employees, it is expected that additional information will be available for people interested in contract services.
“We encourage people to apply for any and every job for which they may qualify,” said Chillicothe Correctional Center Warden Jennifer Miller.
Some positions are based on education and experience while some require actual written tests, Miller said. Video exams and physical agility tests will be administered on site Thursday for those applying for corrections officer positions and those candidates are urged to bring a change of clothes and appropriate shoes. Completion of the state’s EASe application is recommended prior to attending the career fair; however, computers will be on site for applicants to use in completing the forms.
Around 25 new corrections officers already have been hired.
The state has conducted job fairs in Carrollton, Brookfield, Hamilton and Trenton in preparation of the new prison’s opening and more are being planned.
“We are receiving a lot of phone calls from those who missed the previous job fairs.” Miller said.
Hauswirth suggests that those who don’t want to become a corrections officer to submit a resume stating their qualifications to be considered for some other area of the corrections department.
“We encourage everyone interested to come out,” he said. “This is an opportunity to fill many slots. I believe we will be able to find some good candidates.”
The new correctional center, which will have capacity to house 1,636 offenders, is expected to be substantially completed by July 1 and occupied by late fall. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for early August.
Chillicothe, Mo. —
