Correctional Deputy I

Humboldt County Sheriff's Office; Eureka (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime availability

Hazard pay

Uniform allowance

Benefits

PERS retirement

Medical, vision, and dental insurance

Paid leave

Job summary

Humboldt County Sheriff's Office is seeking an entry-level Correctional Deputy I to maintain facility security and inmate welfare in the County Jail. The role involves supervising inmates, documenting incidents, and preparing written reports under supervision. Evening, night and weekend work may be required.

Successful candidates will undergo a BSCC selection exam and a detailed background investigation. The position offers growth opportunities, hazard pay, uniform allowance, and comprehensive

Qualifications

• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and standards affecting jail and inmate detention.
• Knowledge of jail operations, including booking, custody, and release of inmates; inmate rights and discipline.
• Basic mathematical principles and recordkeeping procedures.
• Emergency response procedures and basic safety protocols.
• Ability to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds in confrontational situations.
• Proficiency in providing high level customer service to public, vendors, and County staff.

Responsibilities

• Maintain inmate security and monitor activity; document incidents and search for contraband.
• Process incoming inmates, fingerprints, releases; maintain inmate files and logs.
• Classify and assign inmates to detention areas; screen for programs.
• Supervise inmate work crews; provide training and ensure compliance with rules.
• Escort inmates within jail and provide security for medical staff.
• Subdue and restrain individuals as needed; use restraining devices.
• Assist medical staff with medication distribution and emergency first aid.
• Document incidents and compile accurate reports for supervisors.
• Inspect facilities and report maintenance needs or unusual situations.
• Manage emergencies and communicate with inmates and staff accordingly.
• Escort and transport inmates to court, facilities, or medical appointments.
• Testify in court as needed.

Skills

Laws and regulations

Jail operations

Recordkeeping

Emergency response

Inmate rights

Customer service

Job description

Correctional Deputy I

When you work for the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, you aren’t just another employee, you are family. Our family is growing and we want YOU to join! We are looking for people who like to stay busy, can multi task and have excellent communication skills while still being able to understand and maintain confidentiality standards.

Why work for the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office:

• Opportunities for growth and career advancement
• Numerous specialty positions
• Overtime availability, hazard pay, uniform allowance, and benefits
• PERS retirement
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Paid leave

Please Note:

• The successful candidate for this position will be required to receive a passing score on the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) selection exam. The County of Humboldt proctors BSCC selection exams on a monthly basis, typically the first Thursday of every month. The next BSCC selection exam is scheduled for June 4, 2026 in Eureka, CA.
• This recruitment is open until filled. Human Resources reserves the right to close this recruitment at any time. Applications will be screened on a weekly basis.
• The successful candidate for this position will be required to undergo a detailed background investigation.
• Evening, night and weekend work may be required.

DEFINITION

Under immediate or general supervision, maintains facility security and inmate welfare in a County Jail; oversees and directs the work of inmates in structured situations and the community during an assigned shift; prepares clear, accurate, and comprehensive reports and other written materials; maintains accurate records, logs, and files; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives immediate (Correctional Deputy I) to general (Correctional Deputy II) supervision from a Correctional Sergeant. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

Correctional Deputy I: This is the entry and training level classification in the Correctional Deputy series. Incumbents work in a learning capacity performing Correctional Deputy duties related to the care, custody, and confinement of inmates at the County Correctional Facility. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignment of different positions.

• Maintains inmate security in accordance with laws, regulations, and institutional philosophy, including monitoring inmate activity, documenting inmate incidents, and searching the facilities and inmates for contraband and weapons.
• Processes incoming inmates, fingerprints at intake, and releases from custody; maintains files and logs on inmates; inventories and secures property and valuables.
• Interviews inmates to classify and assign them to the appropriate detention area and activities; screens and recommends inmates for pretrial or other programs.
• Supervises and monitors inmate work crews at various work sites as assigned; provides training, orientation, and guidance, and explains program rules and guidelines; ensures inmates’ compliance with instructions, rules, regulations, and standards of security and safety.
• Supervises inmate exercise and recreation, as well as visiting and similar privileges; escorts inmates within the jail areas; provides security for medical staff as required.
• Subdues and restrains persons and uses restraining devices.
• Assists medical staff in the distribution of medications; screens and refers requests for medical attention; administers emergency first aid as required.
• Documents incidents, including calling the supervisor on radio or phone to articulate incidents; compiles accurate and logical reports.
• Inspects facilities and reports the need for maintenance or unusual situations; submits issues with and/or requests clothing and supplies.
• Surveys and evaluates emergency situations; provides immediate response with proper action; communicates with inmates one-on-one, or in groups.
• Accompanies and transports inmates to court, other facilities, attorney visits, and medical appointments.
• Testifies in court as subpoenaed.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge and ability required to perform the job class of Correctional Deputy II. While in the job class of Correctional Deputy I the qualifications shall be the ability to train and learn these performance measures. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Some duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities may be performed in a learning capacity for entry-level (I-level) positions.

Knowledge of:

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and standards affecting jail and inmate detention, release, and the legal rights of inmates.
• Principles, policies, and procedures related to jail operations, including the booking, custody, and release of inmates; inmate rights and discipline; techniques for inmate control; and emergency response.
• Basic mathematical principles.
• Principles and procedures of recordkeeping.
• Basic functions of law enforcement agencies.
• Techniques for dealing with individuals from various socio-economic backgrounds in hostile and/or confrontational situations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language to effectively perform t