Detention Officer

Salary: $37,362.00 – $39,230.00 Annually

Position Summary:

Employees in this class perform inmate detention, care, security, intake and release work in accordance with established policies and procedures. Work includes the observation and accompaniment of inmates inside the jail, serving meals, medical staff escort, 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 others. 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.

Essential Functions:

• Processes incoming inmates, completes necessary intake paperwork, searches prisoners, obtains and secures inmates’ personal property, assigns and escorts inmates to proper holding facilities, advises inmates of detention center rules and regulations.
• Operates electronic doors to pods, in and out of facility and in and out of individual cells; observes video screens of all aspects of the detention facility for security issues.
• Serves meals to inmates; changes out inmate’s uniforms; escorts medical staff; counts inmates; passes out mail and property; conducts searches periodically for contraband materials; oversees inmate recreation.
• Arranges contacts by visits or telephone calls between inmates and relatives, court officials, ministers, and 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, 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 trips if necessary.
• Provides canteen and meets other needs.

Requirements:

• 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.