Detention Officer

General Statement of Duties

This posting for Detention Officer is a "continuous posting." This means that the Human Resources' Office is accepting on-line applications for this position, even though there may not be any openings at this time. Therefore, please do not call or visit the Sheriff's Office to check the status of your application. If an opening occurs and you are selected to continue in the employment process, you will be contacted.

Performs responsible correctional and detention work in the County Detention Center. Employees in this class perform inmate detention, care, security, and release work in accordance with established policies and procedures. Work includes the observation and accompaniment of inmates inside the jail, transporting inmates, and related care and record keeping requirements. Employees must exercise independent initiative and judgement in making decision regarding inmates and their custody, with suicidal, violent, or mentally unstable tendencies, and in dealing with attorneys, families, and other.

Work involves exercising tact, firmness, and decisiveness in handling routine and emergency situations. Employees are subject to hazards in law enforcement work including working inside a jail environment and exposure to various hazards such as dangerous persons, loud noises, and hazards such as cleaning chemicals, close quarters, and narrow passages. Work is also subject to the final OSHA standards on blood borne pathogens.

Work is performed under regular supervision and is reviewed for adherence to regulations and procedures, accuracy of paperwork, adherence to schedules, and effective interpersonal skills and decision-making in dealing with inmates and coworkers.

• Processes incoming inmates, completes necessary intake paperwork, searches prisoners, obtains and secures inmates's personal property, assigns and escorts inmates to proper holding facilities, advises inmates of detention center rules and regulations.
• Arranges contacts by visits or telephone calls between inmates and relatives, court officials, attorneys; escorts inmates to visiting rooms.
• Answers telephone and radio, inspects incoming and outgoing mail.
• Distributes medication, personal hygiene items, meals, linens, clothing, mail, and other items to inmates; checks on intoxicated and other inmates in special medical or mental conditions.
• Prepares inmates for court.
• Supervises inmates in the cleaning of cells, service of food, cleaning of kitchens, office areas, clothes, and linens.
• Maintains accurate and detailed records on work and inmate activities.
• Transports inmates to court, other detention facilities, medical and mental health treatment, and other necessary trips.
• Provides canteen and meets other needs.
• Performs related work as required.

• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to inmate sentencing, pre-trial conditions and release.
• Working knowledge of policies and procedures covering inmate security, classification, care, and discipline.
• Working knowledge of the practices, materials and equipment used in cleaning and maintaining buildings and equipment.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement in routine and emergency situations.
• Ability to work in a hazardous and confining environment.
• Ability to deal tactfully and firmly with inmates, law enforcement personnel, and the general public.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records manually and in a computerized environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with the supervisors, other employees, law enforcement and court personnel, and the general public.

Graduation from high school supplemented by detention officer certification training.

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Must possess visual acuity to prepare records and reports; observe people and things for security purposes, and operate electronic control panels and view computer screens.

Compliance with minimum standards for…