Admissions/Release Specialist

WCA: Wisconsin Counties Association; Kenosha (WI); On-site; USD 31,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Time Off

Holiday Pay

Retirement Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

The Kenosha County Sheriff's Office is seeking an Admissions/Release Specialist to join the jail intake team in a full-time role. You will handle initial inmate intake, documentation, and records while processing financial transactions related to inmate accounts and bail.

Starting at $22.26 per hour, the position requires strong data entry, cash handling, and customer service skills, with willingness to work rotating 12-hour shifts, holidays, weekends, and potential overtime as needed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED or equivalent.
• Previous in-person customer service/front desk experience preferred.
• Experience with data entry, multi-tasking and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Receive and process individuals into the jail, gathering personal information, fingerprints, and photographs.
• Maintain accurate inmate records and files (physical/electronic).
• Verify legal documents and charges during intake and before release.
• Document inmate movements, visits, and transports in jail management software.
• Communicate with courts, probation, and other agencies as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Data entry

Multi-tasking

Cash handling

Recordkeeping

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Jail software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Application Deadline: 2026-09-11

Job Type: County

Job Description

Admissions/Release Specialist

Sheriff’s Office

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office is currently recruiting for the full‑time position of Admissions/Release Specialist. This is a clerical position that performs the initial intake and processing of individuals entering the Kenosha County Jail, ensuring accurate documentation and recordkeeping. This role also involves handling financial transactions related to inmate accounts and bail and facilitate the release process.

2026 Starting Rate of Pay: $22.26 per hour

Previous work experience in jail and/or law enforcement agency considered in starting rate of pay

Work Schedule

• The Kenosha County Jail is a 24 hour/day, 7 day/week operation.
• Employees with full‑time positions work 12‑hour shifts on a rotating pattern of two (2) days on, three (3) days off; two (2) days on, two (2) days off; and three (3) days on, two (2) days off.
• Employees must work scheduled holidays and weekends and must be able to work any of the existing shifts.
• Employees must be able to work overtime when needed, with or without advance notice.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Receive and process individuals into the Kenosha County Jail, including gathering personal information, including physical and health conditions, fingerprints, and photographs
• Prepare and maintain accurate records of inmates, including physical and electronic files
• Verify wanted/warrant checks, and other legal documents related to the arrest, on the inmate at the initial intake and prior to release
• Document inmate cell transfers, scheduled inmate events, and schedule and document inmate visitation, phone conferences and other approved visits in jail management software
• Interpret various legal documents and accurately document charges to inmate records
• Interpret daily court documents and identify if and when an inmate should be released
• Communicate with the courts, probation and parole, and any other local, state, or federal agency and assist as needed
• Identify inmates who need to make an initial appearance, prepare inmate court and medical transports and track inmate court appearances and outcomes
• Update and maintain records based on court activity and for issuance of bond forms
• Receive and process incoming and outgoing inmate mail
• Maintain accurate records of inmate accounts and disbursing funds as needed
• Monitor the intake security area and inmate video visitation and respond accordingly when violations are observed
• Answer phone calls, respond to public inquiries regarding inmates, take messages, and refer calls
• Monitor a designated email address 24/7 and respond accordingly
• Work at jail counter, answer phone calls and respond to public inquiries regarding inmates, relay information, and release jail property
• Perform audit functions of inmate records in accordance with record retention requirements
• Maintain TIME system certification
• Perform other duties as required or assigned

Success Factors

• Knowledge of standard office practices and procedures; alphabetical, numerical, and chronological filing methods; telephone procedures, including operation of multi‑line equipment and message‑taking; recordkeeping methods; basic computer data entry and software including Microsoft Office
• Skill in basic math and cash handling and communicating both verbally and in writing
• Ability to operate a variety of office equipment including PC/computer, telephone, fax machine, photocopier, and calculator
• Ability to perform in a fast‑paced, multi‑tasking environment; gather, organize, and evaluate a variety of data and information, and interpret and apply complex rules, regulations, guidelines, and laws; understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to share workspace with co‑workers; work in a secure facility and follow a chain of command; adhere to process protocol and apply established protocols in a timely manner; work respectfully in a diverse and inclusive environment
• Ability to, while in a secure setting, possess the self‑control and ability in verbal communication skills to manage aggressive, hostile, and emotional behavior from incarcerated subjects and/or by citizens, both in person and on the telephone
• Ability to manage and process sensitive information while maintaining confidentiality
• Ability to complete tasks in a noisy environment

Job Requirements, Education, Training and Experience

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Previous work experience as in‑person customer service, reception/front desk, or other related field where the skills of data entry, multi‑tasking, and attention to detail were used

Preferred Education and Experience

• Work experience with cash handling responsibilities
• Work experience in a law office or law enforcement agency setting
• Bilingual in Spanish/English – pay differential available

Other Job Requirements

• Must possess a valid, non‑probationary driver’s license and acceptable driving record
• Must possess a qualifying background
• Must work scheduled holidays and weekends and must be able to work any of the existing shifts
• Must be able to work overtime when needed, with or without advance notice

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance effective first of month following 30 days of employment, with the ability to reduce premium contribution through participation in a wellness program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off, including volunteer time off
• Holiday Pay and Shift Differentials available
• Retirement Plan: Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System which includes County‑paid life insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement

Physical Demands

• The position involves light physical demands, such as exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and occasional lifting and transporting of moderately heavy objects such as files, mail, and other work materials.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand and hear/understand the speech of another person
• View details of documents and text on computer screen that are less than a few feet away
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other devices and objects
• Move through the office to access files, attend meetings/trainings

Work Environment/Conditions

• The employee in this position will frequently work in an office or similar indoor environment within a detention center or correctional facility environment frequently.
• The employee in this position will have frequent exposure to individuals who are rude, irate, may have known violent background, and/or communicable diseases.

Selection Process

• Application Review – Qualifying
• Skills Testing – Qualifying
• Background Investigation – Qualifying
• Oral Interview – Qualifying
• TB Test and Drug Screen – Qualifying

If you require accommodations at any point in the selection process because of a disability, please notify Human Resources in advance for arrangements.

To learn more about the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, please visit: https://www.kenoshacountywi.gov/548/Sheriffs-Office

Applications must be submitted no later than Friday, September 11, 2026, at 12:00 noon.

Kenosha County is a Wisconsin Retirement System participating employer. Your participation is required, which includes an employee contribution.

The pay grade for this position is NE7 (Min. $22.26 – Max. $28.32).

We are located in Kenosha County, an expanding community along the shores of Lake Michigan and less than an hour away from Milwaukee and Chicago. To see why Kenosha County is a great place to live, work, and play, please visit: https://www.visitkenosha.com/ or https://lifebalancedkenosha.com/.