Corrections Deputy - Entry Level

About the role

The primary responsibility of this position is to monitor, supervise, and maintain custody of inmates in the Snohomish County Jail, the residential work release facility, and those placed into non-custody community corrections programs.

Responsibilities

• Books inmates into the jail, work release or community corrections programs; conducts interview to determine medical, other special needs, and acceptability to book into facility; assists in entering booking information into the jail computer system;
• Cleans up and maintains the cleanliness of the housing areas; supervises and documents food services; supervises inmates in cleanup and maintenance activities;
• Verifies need and makes arrangements for medical and health care; monitors use of prescribed medications; monitors recreational, educational and visitation activities; monitors visits and interviews with authorized persons;
• Answers phone calls and relates information to authorized persons;
• When assigned to community corrections, checks for outstanding warrants and criminal history using various criminal justice databases; monitors inmates released to and returned from work, education and treatment programs, and outside appointments and visits; verifies that work release inmates and program participants are where they are authorized to be through various forms of documentation, or phone contact; and monitors electronic equipment for inmates on Home Detention and reports all breaches of conditions;
• Supervises the preparation of inmates for transportation to courts and other inmate appointments;
• Conducts regular security checks; screens and searches visitors; conducts periodic headcounts and searches of inmates and the areas accessible to them to prevent flow of contraband into the facility; administers or arranges for breathalyzer or urinalysis to detect suspected drug or alcohol use;
• May assist in operating the jail control room;
• Instructs inmates on jail rules and procedures; investigates suspected rule violations; takes informal action to correct inmate behavior as appropriate; writes violation reports and submits them to supervisor; participates in inmate disciplinary proceedings as assigned; arranges for transfer of work release inmates returned to the maximum security jail by disciplinary board or other authority and maintains them in secure custody until removed.

Other job duties

• Maintains custody and control of inmates when confined to hospitals or other facilities as required;
• Coordinates with various courts to assure that inmates appear as scheduled for trial;
• Serves on various committees such as, training, safety, classification, wellness, wear and tear, affirmative action, equal employment opportunity, and others;
• When assigned to community corrections, conducts a thorough orientation which includes explaining program procedures and rules; answers questions and discusses problems related to the jail situation; works with office, program and professional staff to develop appropriate intervention with work release inmates and program participants who are having family, employment or emotional problems;
• Provides direct one-on-one or group assistance to work release inmates and program participants as needed and provides appropriate assistance through interpersonal skill procedure;
• Receives, records and maintains court and other documents related to work release inmates and program participants; receives and releases cash to work release inmates; responds to requests for information concerning work release inmates in accordance with office policy;
• Assists in the risk/needs assessment of inmates and have input into their case reviews and program placement;
• May provide for the delivery and administration of medications in accordance with RCW 70.48.490.

Minimum qualifications

• No previous experience is required for entry level Corrections Deputy. Must have a high school diploma or GED certificate. Candidates must be at least eighteen (18) years old at time of application, no maximum age. Must be a United States citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or a deferred action for childhood arrival (DACA) recipient as per RCW 41.14.100;
• Must pass job related tests.

Special requirements

• Candidates must successfully pass a criminal history background investigation, a polygraph examination, a psychological evaluation, a pre-employment medical exam and drug screening. A post-employment physical fitness and agility test will be required.
• A valid Washington State Driver's License, unrestricted except as to vision may be required dependent upon area of assignment.
• Ability to acquire First Aid and CPR Certificates is required.
• Employees may be required to carry firearms and must have the ability to qualify with a firearm on an annual basis.
• Satisfactory completion of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Academy is required within six (6) months of employment.
• Additional Information: Knowledge of: defensive and courteous driving ruleseffective interpersonal communication techniquesAbility to: acquire a First Aid and CPR Certificatesatisfactorily complete required courses of training at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Academy within six (6) months of hiresatisfactorily complete firearms training and pass a test of proficiency per collective bargaining agreementlearn, understand and interpret work related laws, ordinances, rules and regulationsquickly learn applicable federal and state laws and county ordinances and established policies, procedures and practices of the Snohomish County Jailsupervise groups of inmatesexercise good judgment under stressful circumstancesrespond effectively in crisis or emergency situations and restrain violent or belligerent inmatescommunicate effectively with people regardless of age, sex or social, economic or cultural background, including persons with social or behavioral problems, and communicate with inmates in both supportive and confrontive modesaccept and respect the individual differences of inmates and respond in a professional manner to their needs without the interference of personal biasaccess, input and retrieve information from computer and record information correctly and perform clerical tasks related to booking and other clerical aspects of the jobunderstand and follow oral instructions and written procedures and guidelinesspeak and write with clarity and prepare required reportsestablish and maintain effective working relationships with criminal justice system officials and staff, other county employees and the general public PHYSICAL EFFORTThe work involves strenuous physical tasks such as restraining belligerent inmates or breaking up fights or running up flights of stairs to respond to emergencies. Stressful elements of this work are considerable, and include exposure to disagreeable situations involving human conflict, anger, hostility and potential for violence. SUPERVISIONThe employee reports to a Corrections Sergeant or Corrections Lieutenant. The work is performed according to established policies and procedures and is reviewed through observation and evaluation of ability to handle a variety of work situations, reports and conferences. Unusual situations are referred to the Sergeant. WORKING CONDITIONSThe work is performed within a maximum-security detention facility or within a minimum security and work release facility. Employees work in housing areas and have direct inmate contact. Employees may be required to receive PPD testing semi-annually or as needed. Employees are required to work various shift assignments, to perform all the functions of all shifts in all areas of the jail and to work weekends and holidays, as required. Employees shall be subjected to working mandatory overtime. Snohomish County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request. EEO policy and ADA notice