Officer 12

Detention Officer

PURPOSE SUMMARY. Under general supervision, responsible for the supervision of detainees within his/her assigned area; maintains order and security through fair and impartial application of Detention Center policies and procedures and accepted security and supervisory practices; and maintains the highest level of security possible while ensuring safe and humane treatment of all detainees including protection of their rights within the facility.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES.

• Communicates effectively with a varied population of offenders, including individuals from diverse ethnic, racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds. This may include persons for whom English is not a primary language, persons with developmental and learning disorders, or individuals with a wide variety of psychiatric and physical disorders.
• Provides direct supervision of offenders within the housing areas of the jail. This will include direct supervision during meal service, security checks, medication distribution, and random or scheduled housing and cell searches.
• Responsible for the general offender behavior in areas assigned as their duty station, and directly supervises and escorts offenders within the secured perimeter of the jail as assigned.
• Patrols and maintains security of designated areas of the facility and controls traffic to and from specific areas; conducts physical searches of arrestees to protect the safety of all detention center personnel, detainees, and visitors; and conducts physical searches and inspections of cells.
• Monitors detainees' well-being; summons medical aid; communicates with medical staff; and assists the medical staff in the dispensing of medications according to the medical directives.
• Releases detainees and their property according to established procedures, bail, court order or as otherwise ordered by appropriate authorities.
• Assigns and directs work on detainee workers.
• Efficiently and accurately completes detention center paperwork including, but not limited to: Booking, medication, release records, reports, logs, requests, memos, and rosters.
• Assists in some clerical and reception work to support facility programs when clerical staff is unavailable.
• Accesses information from computer system m response for information requests from other law enforcement and court agencies.
• Appropriately responds to emergencies in the jail, which may include the following: Offender assaults, fires, riots, offender disturbances, explosions, natural disasters, and hostage situations. Immediately and appropriately responds to control these circumstances. This may include the use of appropriate levels of force through physical management of combative, volatile, hostile, and assaultive offenders.
• Accurately operates a variety of equipment including computers, printers, FAX, fingerprint machines, physical restraint devices, radios, fire extinguishers, intercom systems, and telephone.
• Works a variety of rotating shifts, as well as rotation of positions, and may perform other duties as assigned or required.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES. Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS.

A. Education. High school diploma or GED required.

B. Experience. N/A

C. Education/Experience substitution. N/A

D. Licenses/Certifications. Must possess a valid driver's license and must maintain a satisfactory driving record in accordance with County policy. Additional required certifications are obtained during the academy and maintained through employment in First Aid, CPR, Defensive Tactics, Firearm, and Bloodbome/Airborne pathogen during the normal training cycles.

E. Other (e.g., post-offer medical exam, polygraph, background check, driver's license record, etc.). All qualified applicants will be required to pass written test, oral interview, NCIC check, polygraph, and background investigation. Post-offer of employment tests included psychological exam, medical exam, and drug screen.

EMPLOYMENT DISOUALIFIERS: Conviction, pleading to or admitting to illegal use of cocaine within the last 3 years or marijuana within the last year. Any use of any type of Heroin, LSD, crack, crystal, meth, crank, sniffing of glues or huffing gas, or any other synthetic hallucinogen. Conviction, pleading to or admitting to the use, sale or distribution of any controlled substance or non-prescribed medication. Felony conviction or misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude. Conviction, pleading to or admitting a violent domestic incident. DWI conviction within the last 3 years. Any visible, displayed and/or exposed tattoos on hands, neck, or face. Conviction, pleading to or admitting theft may disqualify. Dishonorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces may disqualify. Incomplete applications may be grounds for disqualification.

In accordance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) (Part 115:17) of Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations an applicant who has been found to have engaged in any form of sexual abuse; engaged in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable or refused will be disqualified.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY THE POSITION:

Ability to learn security, regulations and laws governing detention operations; read policy and procedural manuals and post orders; follow verbal and written instructions; smoothly and rapidly shift between dissimilar tasks; react quickly and calmly to emergency situations; make effective decisions while in stressful situations and circumstances; and after training, be able to manage disruptive, explosive, violent, and potentially assaultive offenders through the use of either verbal and physical control practices; write clear and concise reports; use a computer to input and extract information; operate a two-way radio; establish and maintain effective relationships with co-workers, detainees and members of the public.

Ability to acquire and maintain through employment and requisite First Aid, CPR, Defensive Tactics, Firearm, and Bloodbome/Airborne pathogen qualifications or certifications during the normal training cycles. Must have skills in analyzing and evaluating information accurately and following policy and procedures; handling sensitive and confidential matters; establishing and maintaining effective and cooperative working relationships with others.

Compensation Range

$20.34 - $33.79

Doa Ana County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to abide by all federal and state laws prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of a person's race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, disability, serious medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, spousal affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other unlawful criteria, except where a reasonable Bona Fide Occupational Qualification exists.

Doa Ana County will make reasonable accommodation(s) for the known physical or mental limitations of an applicant with a disability, upon request, unless the accommodation(s) would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the County. Please see for our Public Notice and to get the Testing/Interview Accommodation Request Form or call 575-647-7210 for assistance.

Government Careers

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