Corrections Officer I

The Position

Incumbent works under the direction of a Sergeant or designee, providing supervision of inmates for assigned area(s), maintaining order and proper documentation while ensuring adherence to established policies, procedures and orders.

Essential Functions

• Maintain custody and control of assigned inmates in order to ensure a safe and secure environment.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, County employees, attorneys, law enforcement, other agencies, and the general public.
• Ensure inmates and visitors are escorted throughout the Correctional Center as dictated by policies and procedures.
• Enforce rules and regulations governing inmate conduct in a fair and consistent manner.
• Monitor inmates to identify potential problems or conflicts and alert supervisors to impending problems.
• Provide positive reinforcement for inmates when appropriate, and serve as a role-model for appropriate social behavior.
• Conduct routine security and health inspections to detect contraband, hazards, damage, or potential breaches of security.
• Enforce cleanliness and sanitation standards of living areas, taking action to correct any deficiencies according to established procedures.
• Report any issue which may pose a threat to the safety or security of the institution in a timely manner.
• Respond immediately to emergencies, restraining or restricting the actions of combative or disruptive inmates using only necessary force.
• When necessary, call for assistance from backup staff and respond as able to alarms.
• Maintain shift logs, counts, and write incident reports describing problems with inmates.
• Monitor the delivery of medications to inmates according to established procedures.
• Administer first aid or CPR as needed, writing reports about medical emergencies.
• Assist in the process of maintenance and custodial care of facilities and equipment.
• May operate an institution vehicle to transport inmates to and from court, medical facilities, work locations, or other detention facilities.
• Book, search, fingerprint and photograph incoming prisoners following admissions procedures as assigned.
• Process out and release inmates as assigned, ensuring all documentation is accurate and complete.
• May supervise inmate work crews, controlling the safety of the work environment.
• Review status of the assigned area with incoming staff during shift changes.
• Participate in in-service training sessions when assigned.
• Report to work with regular, predictable, and consistent attendance.
• Perform other related duties and functions as assigned.

Education and Work Experience and Other Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Post-secondary education in Criminal Justice or related field preferred.
• Work experience in corrections, criminal justice or security preferred.
• Must be at least 19 years of age.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license at the time of hire and throughout the course of employment.
• Must successfully complete training in Pressure Point Control Tactics (PPCT) and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) within the first six months of employment and maintain certification throughout the course of employment.
• Incumbent will be required to submit to random drug testing.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

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

Corrections Officers are required to physically engage inmates in order to protect the inmate, themselves, other officers, and other inmates.

This may involve subduing and restraining one or more inmates who may have weapons. While calling for backup is advised, there are instances where the Officer is required to take action before assistance arrives.

Incidents requiring physical intervention may arise as frequently as several times a day. Incidents may not last long but require Officers to become and remain physically fit and not have medical conditions that pose a threat to themselves or others should the need for physical confrontation arise.

An incumbent must also have the strength, endurance, agility and coordination to perform the essential functions of the job including self-defense and inmate restraint.

• Incumbents must meet the following specific job related physical requirements :
• Work is generally performed indoors in a correctional setting on an assigned shift supporting a 24 hour, 7 day a week operation.

Incumbents must be willing and able to work any shift, including weekends, holidays, and overtime. Work involves the potential for contact with or exposure to blood borne pathogens or other body fluids and infectious materials.

Work requires close interaction with offender populations and may be difficult or emotionally challenging when dealing with irate or verbally abusive inmates, family members, or when dealing with critical situations.

An incumbent must possess the hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate computers, control panels, radios, handcuffs, leg irons, locking / unlocking doors, alarms, and other equipment used to perform the essential functions of this job.

Communication abilities include the ability to talk with co-workers, detainees and their family members, superiors, etc.

Douglas County is an EOE - Disability / Veterans