Cell Block Attendant (Provisional) BPD

City of Buffalo; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Buffalo seeks a Cell Block Attendant to enforce rules, oversee prisoner safety, and maintain order in the city lock-up. You will monitor security, execute rounds, process intakes, and assist with transport and court escort as needed.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED, physical fitness testing, and completion of NY Peace Officer training within six months. You will work under sworn officers with opportunities to exercise independent judgment in day-to-day operations.

Qualifications

• Graduation from High School, GED or Equivalency Diploma.
• Candidates may be required to participate in a physical fitness test prior to appointment.
• Must successfully complete a training process conducted by the Department of Corrections and/or Buffalo Police Department within six months of date of appointment.
• Peace Officer status must be maintained for the duration of your employment.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the movement and activities of prisoners on an assigned shift.
• Check cells and corridor areas for faulty bars, gates, etc.
• Make routine fire and safety checks.
• Monitor surveillance equipment including video and/or audio equipment.
• Lock and unlock cells and doors using mechanical and electrical devices.
• Maintain jail security at an assigned post.
• Monitor prisoners for unusual incidents or violations; report to supervisor.
• Mediates minor incidents and breaks up disturbances.
• Assist in prisoner intake: fingerprints and photo ID.
• Inventory and record prisoners' clothing and personal property.
• Issue disposable clothing and blankets; instruct on care.
• Operate security equipment and radios; use restraints if trained.
• Escort visitors and observe visitations.
• Search cells; frisk prisoners; confiscate contraband.
• Listen to prisoners’ problems; explain rules and safety measures.
• Refer issues to appropriate staff when needed.
• May use chemical agents/restraints if trained.
• Distribute meals to prisoners as required.
• Dispense medications at intake/booking time.
• Prepare records and reports; operate office equipment.
• May transport/escort prisoners to court.
• Perform related duties as required.

Skills

Rule interpretation

Judgment

Verbal communication

Physical fitness

Patience

Education

High School or GED

Tools

Electronic security equipment

Two-way radios

Handcuffs & restraints

Job description

Incumbents to position in this class are responsible for the enforcement of rules and regulations governing the custody, security, conduct, discipline, safety and general well-being of prisoners in a city lock-up. Incumbents, who work on an assigned shift, have considerable prisoner contact and supervision of them. The Cell Block Attendant must be alert to possibilities of emergency situations arising and exercise sound judgment when problems occur. Work is performed under the immediate supervision sworn officer with leeway for the exercise of independent judgment in dealing with day-to-day situations in the lock-up.

• Makes periodic rounds and supervises the movement and activities of prisoners on an assigned shift;
• checks cells and corridor areas for faulty bars, gates, etc.
• makes routine fire and safety checks;
• monitors surveillance equipment including video and/or audio equipment;
• Locks and unlocks cells and access doors using mechanical and electrical devices;
• maintains jail security at an assigned post;
• Monitors prisoners for unusual incidents or activities including violation of lock-up rules or life-threatening situations;
• reports same to supervisor on shift;
• Mediates minor prisoners incidents;
• takes direct action to break up fights or other disturbances between prisoners;
• Assists in the completion of the prisoner intake process by taking fingerprints and photo identification;
• inventories and records prisoners clothing and personal property;
• Issues disposable clothing and blankets and instructs prisoners in its proper care;
• Operates a variety of equipment including electronic gate equipment, two-way radios, leg irons, handcuffs, etc.;
• Escorts visitors and observes prisoners visitations;
• Searches cells, frisks prisoners and confiscates contraband;
• Listens to prisoners problems;
• advises them of the rules and regulations governing conduct, discipline, safety and their general well being while at the city lock-up facility;
• makes referrals to appropriate staff when problems cannot be resolved;
• May be required, if departmentally trained, to use chemical agents, restraining devices and protection equipment in case of fights or other disturbances;
• Distribute meals to prisoners as required;
• Dispenses a variety of prescription medications as indicated by prisoners at time of their intake/booking;
• Prepares and maintains a variety of records and reports related to the care of prisoners and security of the lock-up facility;
• Operates a variety of office equipment during the processing of prisoners or preparation of records and reports;
• May be required to transport or escort prisoners to court;
• Performs related duties as required.

Open Competitive:

Graduation from High School, GED or Equivalency Diploma.

(Proof of education must be presented at time of filing application.)

Special Requirements

• Candidates may be required to participate in a physical fitness test prior to appointment.
• Must successfully complete a training process conducted by the Department of Corrections and/or Buffalo Police Department within six months of date of appointment. This includes being certified as a New York State Peace Officer.
• Peace Officer status must be maintained for the duration of your employment.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Good knowledge of and the ability to interpret the rules, regulations and requirements of the Correction Law and the Buffalo Police Department governing the supervision and treatment of prisoners safety and the security of the facility and department employees;

Good knowledge of the layout and location of security personnel post assignments throughout the lock-up facility;

Good knowledge of search and frisk methods;

Working knowledge of the proper function of lock-up security equipment, devices and safe use of chemical restraining agents;

Working knowledge of the use of defensive and restraining physical techniques;

Working knowledge of human behavior in relation to prisoners being detained in lock-up;

Working knowledge of first aid;

Ability to observe, interpret and report on prisoner activity;

Ability to deal with prisoners firmly and courteously;

Ability to understand and interpret rules and regulations of the lock-up and to verbally communicate them to prisoners;

Ability to make quick decisions regarding lock-up security and personal safety in emergency situations;

Ability to possess a memory for facts and information;

Ability to reason clearly;

Sound judgment;

Good powers of observation;

Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position