Detention Officer

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary : Under the Supervision of the Detention Corporal performs work concerning the care and needs of the jail inmates. The Detention Officer records all activities of the inmates. The employee in this position is responsible for recording all requests of inmates, medical problems, medications, etc. It is the responsibility of this employee to ensure inmates are maintained in a humane manner and ensures that the inmate is granted their constitutional rights.

Examples of Work (Essential Functions) :

• Assists with serving of meals to prisoners;
• Books and processes inmates;
• Supervises and checks prisoners on a half hour basis, conducts searches, pat downs, and inspections;
• Dispenses commissary needs;
• Dispenses medications and notifies physician of medical needs;
• Maintains the jail in good and clean order;
• Meets the public at the detention center and supervises visiting hours;
• Monitors medical status of prisoners;
• Notifies the Detention Corporal of supplies needed and orders supplies;
• Records all activities of inmates, including phone calls and medical needs;
• Transports prisoners to and from court and the doctor's office and other facilities as required;
• Staffs reception area, reviews incoming and outgoing mail;
• Assists attorney with inmate visits;
• Reviews visitor profile and approves or denies visits;
• Assists with phone / video issues that arise and either fix the issue or call the vendor;
• Answers incoming calls at the facility;
• Completes reports on activity, logs, and incident management;
• Provides testimony for court;
• Reviews housing logs;
• Conducts security checks;
• Processes booking of new inmates, as needed;
• Provides prisoner transport as needed;
• Notifies corporal of medical issues;
• Performs other duties as deemed necessary or as required.

Examples of Work (Marginal Functions) :

Certificate, License : Valid driver's license.

Required Education and / or Experience : Six months to twelve months related experience, High School Diploma or G.E.D. and / or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Employee is expected to have acquired the necessary information and skills to perform the job reasonably well after six months in the position.

Preferred Education and / or Experience : One year related experience, High School Diploma or G.E.D.; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Abilities, Knowledge, Skills :

Problem Solving : Problem solving exists in this position. Problems include dealing with emotional needs, special diets, and medical needs of prisoners.

Decision Making : Decision making exists in this position. Decisions include determining when to notify physicians of medical or mental problems.

Accountability : Employee is responsible for inmates and inmate property while in custody. Employee is not responsible for budgetary control of the department and does not participate in the annual budget process.

Supervision : Limited supervision is provided and job related decisions are occasionally reviewed by the Detention Corporal. Employee does not have supervisory responsibility over subordinate personnel.

Personal Relationships : Occasional contact with other county departments and frequent contact with the general public.

Working Conditions : The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is exposed less than one third of the time to conditions such moving mechanical parts; and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud. This position is exposed to very stressful situations where things may seem chaotic. This position may be exposed to blood borne pathogens or bodily fluids, dangerous situations. This position may be called out 24 hours a day to include evenings, nights, weekends and holidays. This position involves shift work.

Physical Requirements : The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk, use hands to finger, grasp, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit; run; climb or balance and stoop, squat, bend, twist, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Lifting, moving, pushing or pulling up to 25 pounds does generally occur, in emergencies may be necessary to lift, move, push, or pull up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.