Detention Officer

About the role

This position is responsible for maintaining inmate security in the detention center, including enforcing policies, procedures, and inmate rules; escorting inmates, and preventing escapes.

Responsibilities

• Planning and performing a wide range of detention duties to ensure the proper booking, incarceration, and safety of persons committed to the detention center.
• Receiving and detaining incarcerated persons.
• Completing electronic booking, pat and/or strip searches, personal history, medical screening, and other essential data to ensure the proper care and incarceration of inmates.
• Fingerprinting, photographing, and DNA collecting of incoming inmates.
• Inspecting pots and jail cells to ensure cleanliness and orderliness.
• Records any pertinent conditions during periodic rounds of pods and cells.
• Ensuring that new inmates receive shower and clothing, and responds to additional personal needs in accordance with policies.
• Working in control room to keep constant watch on all sections of the detention center via camera. Controls all doors and entrances. Forwards telephone calls to the appropriate parties. Contacts appropriate personnel in the event of emergency.
• Transferring inmates to court and other appearances. Serves as escort for visiting lawyers, probation officers, counselors, and others. Escorts inmates to various sections of the detention center, including kitchen and recreation.
• Coordinating and cooperating with other law enforcement agencies and judiciary agencies as necessary.
• Overseeing inmate workers.
• Assisting in processing money and documents and assists in bonding. Records all monies and personal items for storage.
• Appropriately distributing medications prescribed by doctors to inmates, completes appropriate documentation, and enters information into computer.
• Obtaining required signatures from inmates for personal and accountable items.
• Dealing with verbal and physical abuse from inmates.
• Transporting inmates to other facilities.
• Picking up and delivering laundry, hygiene items and books to inmates.
• Overseeing inmates both directly and indirectly and spending time in the units with the inmates, as well as overseeing inmates from post.
• Performing duties at either Adult or Juvenile detention facility.
• Performing all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED;
• 18 years of age and no felony convictions;
• Two years’ work experience.

Supervisory Controls

This position performs under the general supervision of the Detention Administrator and detention Corporal, Sergeant, or Lieutenant, as set forth in the chain of command at Adult or Juvenile detention, who may provide assignments and instruction, determines objective, priorities and deadlines, and who assists the employee with unusual situations. The employee uses own initiative and judgment to perform work in an independent and timely manner in accordance with precedents and established policies and procedures.

Benefits

Chaves County provides a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees, which includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, disability insurance, a retirement plan through PERA, a deferred compensation plan, life insurance, and more. Additionally, we offer paid holidays, vacation days, a yearly personal day, and sick leave. Part-time employees who work an average of 27 hours per week over the course of a year, receive benefits.