Detention Officer I - County Jail - Sheriff

About the role

The Detention Officer I performs specialized law enforcement work in the care and security of inmates to ensure their constitutional rights and welfare are safeguarded in the County Jail.

Responsibilities

• Admits prisoners to the County Jail; ensures that inmates are properly booked and searched, and that inmates are allowed calls to attorneys and relatives;
• Calls bondsman if necessary; and advises prisoners of all jail rules and regulations.
• Reviews logs and reports from previous shift; maintains knowledge of inmate population and cell assignments; completes activity logs and reports.
• Patrols entire jail area to prevent escapes and maintain order; monitors cameras showing interior and exterior perimeter(s); video-tapes incoming inmates; and monitors emergency systems.
• Supervises inmate trustees performing various duties such as serving meals to inmates, loading and unloading materials at the dock, cleaning jail cells, performing laundry detail, and performing kitchen detail.
• Issues linen, clothing, toilet supplies; supervises shower and inventory of supplies; oversees cafeteria area.
• Distributes mail to prisoners; provides inmates with paper, pencils and envelopes; collects outgoing mail from inmates.
• Maintains cleanliness of jail to meet requirements of state and local officials.
• Prepares and transports inmates to and from court, visitations or medical appointments, etc.; escorts work release inmates to and from cell blocks; searches inmates upon return to Jail.
• Performs various life safety functions which require training in CPR and fire safety and suppression.
• Answers telephone and assists the public with questions concerning inmate status.
• Assists visitors, inspects items brought to jail for inmates.
• Receives, secures, logs, and receipts inmates' property, properly storing and returning appropriate items upon release.
• Selects, reviews, and monitors housing assignments of inmates according to proper classification mandated by Texas Criminal Justice Standards using custody assessment system; reviews and updates inmate custody status in reference to bond amount changes, charges added and dismissed; and completes daily population counts.
• Sorts incoming inmate mail; opens and searches mail for money or contraband; logs and receipts money and property not given to inmates; and delivers mail to designated areas within the jail.
• Mails packages for inmates.

Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age.
• High School diploma or GED required.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must attain certification by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement as a Jailer within one (1) year of employment.
• Possession of a valid Driver's License.
• Must be able to obtain a State of Texas driver's license within 90 days.

Qualifications

• Perform other related work as required.

Skills

• Alertness and independent judgment in dealing with unusual situations.
• Ability to deal with inmates and handle emergencies.
• Knowledge of jail procedures and inmate classification.
• Ability to perform life safety functions.

Benefits

• Full range of employee benefit programs including group health plans, life, disability, and long term care insurance, and flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care reimbursements.
• Retirement benefits through the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS).
• 12 paid holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• A wellness program.

Pay

Details about pay are not specified in the job posting.

Schedule

Details about schedule are not specified in the job posting.