Detention Officer I

Salary: $54,492.00 – $81,412.90 Annually

Position Summary:
The Detention Officer I, under general supervision, performs a variety of law enforcement duties in the care, custody, and security of all prisoners in the Union County Jail. Primarily responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and the general enforcement of criminal laws of North Carolina; performs general jail and detention work; responsible for maintaining the safety and security of all personnel, inmates, and jail. Employee must exercise initiative and independent judgment in completing assigned tasks. Employee must also exercise tact, courtesy, and firmness in frequent contact with the public. The employee is subject to the usual hazards of law enforcement work.
Essential Functions:

• Maintains the safety and security of all personnel, inmates, and jail.
• Processes inmates in and out; applies and removes restraints; communicates with inmates.
• Searches facility and inmates; conducts strip searches as prescribed by policy and State Statute.
• Distributes hygiene products.
• Responds to inmate inquiries and grievances.
• Completes medical, money, and property forms for all inmates.
• Prepares release orders from court and maintains court records.
• Answers phone calls; data entry.
• Conducts inmate supervision in accordance with Jail Policy and North Carolina Detention Facility Code 14J.
• Makes list of prisoners confined.
• Furnishes information for bail bondsmen, families, attorneys, court officials, and other law enforcement personnel.
• Takes inmates to and from Magistrate.
• Maintains cleanliness of facility.
• Feeds inmates 3 times daily; pass out snack bags and special diet foods to certain inmates.
• Supervises inmate workers.
• Attends shift/mandatory meetings and trainings.
• Runs visitation.
• Receives, dispenses, and logs in money and mail for inmates; collects/distributes inmate mail.
• Transports inmates to jail nurse for blood sugar checks, blood pressure checks, sick calls and doctor visits.
• Conducts transportation of inmates as directed by court order.
• Prepares dockets for courts (District, Superior, Extradition, etc.).
• Gathers inmates for video arraignment and verifies proper forms are filled out for the Clerk’s Office.
• Contacts immigration for detainers on illegal subjects.
• Interprets court documents as inmates return from court.
• Responds to assaults between inmates and attacks against officers.
• Supervises ministers in the cellblocks.
• Assists with moving combative inmates within the Jail.
• Complete supervision rounds as stated in Jail Policy and North Carolina Detention Facility Code 14J.
• Investigates criminal violations and obtains appropriate charges on inmates who conduct criminal offenses.
• Conducts a minimum of five random cell searches each shift and records all areas searched.
• Completes Jail reports, Police reports, Use of Force, Segregation Notices, and Segregation Hearings of Jail rule violators.
• Collects and enters evidence in accordance with Sheriff’s Office policy.
• Conducts quarterly fire drills and verifies fire extinguishers are operating properly throughout the Union County Jail on a monthly basis.
• Locates repairs needed in the facility and submits work orders to maintenance; escort maintenance throughout the Jail to make repairs.
• Routinely conducts perimeter checks outside of the building walls.
• Supervises inmates at the hospital.
• Conducts the Inmate Law Library.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Requires a high school diploma or an acceptable equivalency diploma (GED). Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Possession of the following certificate is required: Basic Detention Officer Certification from the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission. If the certificate is not held at time of assignment, it must be obtained within 1 year.
• Must be a minimum of 20 years of age.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.