Correctional Officer/Jailer

Waco, TX
McLennan County Jail Department

Salary range: $23.52 Hourly.

Position Summary:

Perform security duties maintaining order and physical custody of inmates in a jail system or courthouse complex. Responsible for the care, custody, and control of persons to include; releasing offenders, maintaining security of the facility, and escorting offenders within and/or outside the secure confines of the jail.

Essential Functions:

  • Provide direct and remote supervision of inmates within housing and other areas of a jail, a courthouse, or secure perimeter as assigned to maintain a safe and secure environment.
  • Conduct frequent security checks for evidence of unauthorized activities and infractions of rules, respond to situations, and document accordingly.
  • Receive and process inmates from officers and the courts, maintain inmates’ property, and direct inmates throughout the intake process.
  • Conduct metal detection of individuals and materials before entering facilities, perform necessary searches for weapons and contraband, and completes reports.
  • Inspect cells, housing areas, locks, windows, grills, doors, gates and perimeters of buildings and grounds for security purposes.
  • Observe conduct and behavior of inmates, respond to and control emergency situations, and use appropriate levels of force to control combative, volatile, or hostile offenders.
  • Documents numerous inmate activities such as, visitation, phone calls, incidents, movement, housing assignments, property, etc.
  • Enter information into a database to capture daily activities.
  • Supervise inmates and trustee-inmates work crews.
  • Assists in booking new inmates.
  • Conduct head counts to ensure that each prisoner is present.
  • Inspect conditions of locks, window bars, grills, doors, and gates at correctional facilities to ensure security and help prevent escapes.
  • Inspect mail for the presence of contraband.
  • Supervise the dispensing of food in a timely fashion to inmates, ensuring all health and safety regulations are complied with.
  • Receives and reviews paperwork associated with incarceration to ensure accurate completion; notarizes affidavits from the arresting officer; obtains information from inmate and paperwork (warrant, writ, detainer, etc.) and makes appropiate computer entries; including local and out of county charges.
  • Must be able to obtain TLETS certification. Checks for any outstanding warrants using the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS) computer and confirms with out-of-county agencies that have warrants through TLETS, run Criminal Histories through TLETS for classification officer. Process Emergency Protective Orders, Interlock, Conditions of Bonds when ordered by the judge. Enters stolen items into TLETS for Sheriff’s Office Deputies and other agencies that we have inter-local agreement with.
  • Prepares bail bonds (e.g. probable cause misdemeanors, pre-indictments, Class C, cash bonds, fugitive fines, and civil) and fees associated with each for releasing prisoners from custody.
  • Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
  • Regular attendance and timeliness are required.

Requirements:

  • High School Diploma or GED.
  • Current and valid TX driver’s license and a safe driving record.
  • Applicant must be 18 years of age on /or before date of hire.
  • Must maintain personal loyalty to the Sheriff.
  • Ability to work in a hostile environment of inmates and their visitors without reacting in a negative manner and project a professional image at all times.
  • Exceptional skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with County staff, inmates, police departments and the public.
  • General knowledge of basic hardware and software and uses of a variety of different computer operating systems such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook.
  • Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
  • Must also possess excellent physical assessment skills and be able to make sound judgment decision.
  • Ability to supervise emergency situations, make effective decisions under stressful situations, and direct the use of physical force necessary to protect oneself and others.
  • Keen attention to detail; careful and accurate data entry.

Preferred Requirements:

  • TCLEOSE Jailer Certification (must not be on probationary status for disciplinary reasons).
  • Working knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of modern inmate care, custody, and control, and related state, federal, and department laws, rules, regulations, standards, and policies governing the operation of detention facilities.
  • Working knowledge of local, state, and federal laws governing the criminal justice system.
  • Working knowledge of how to search for and recognize contraband and weapons.