Corrections Officer

Sevier, County of (TN); Sevierville (TN); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Sevier County, Tennessee is seeking a Corrections Officer to perform intake, processing and confinement of individuals in custody. Responsibilities include fingerprinting, photographing, data entry, escorting inmates to court, conducting security checks, and distributing meals with medication administration.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED, valid Tennessee driver’s license, ability to pass physical and drug screening, and completion of Tennessee Corrections Institute

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED or 1 year related experience or training.
• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Tennessee driver’s license.
• Ability to pass a physical and drug screen.
• Successful completion of Tennessee Corrections Institute Certification.
• Successful completion of 40 hours of in-service training annually.

Responsibilities

• Intake activities for custody: fingerprinting, photographing, logging items.
• Enter ID information into a database and search law enforcement records for warrants and histories.
• Search inmates and individuals taken into custody.
• Escort inmates to court and record judgments.
• Conduct routine security checks and maintain monitoring logs.
• Accompany inmates to church services, GED classes, visits and ensure control.
• Operate control board and monitor doors for facility security.
• Monitor cameras for inmate activity and grounds.
• Participate in shake downs for contraband.
• Verify visitors’ IDs and observe during visitation.
• Distribute meals and dispense medications as prescribed.
• Transport prisoners to medical facilities or court as needed.
• Maintain organized inmate information logs.
• Intervene and control dangerous situations to ensure safety.
• Maintain bond release logs and update computer records.
• Supervise trustees and assigned duties.
• Determine actions for inmates in trauma or medical need.
• Perform related duties as required.

Skills

Fingerprinting

Imaging equipment

First aid / CPR

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

This is very responsible correctional facility work involving the intake, processing and incarceration of individuals suspected and/or convicted of criminal activity. Activities associated with the job include data entry of information into a computer database, fingerprinting, logging personal items, and photographing suspects, performing searches and placing the individual in the most appropriate level of confinement. Upon confinement, Corrections Officers conduct frequent safety checks, maintain a log of events and activities, monitor inmates’ health and emotional state, deliver meals and administer medications as prescribed. Additional responsibilities include the transportation of inmates, checking for warrants on individuals taken into custody and prisoners and related administrative duties. Performance is evaluated by Corrections Corporals and Corrections Sergeants through review of the efficiency of the correctional facility operations, effectiveness in dealing with inmates, physical capacity to perform job duties and compliance with existing rules and regulations pertaining to correctional facility operations.

• Performs appropriate intake activities for individuals taken into custody such as fingerprinting, photographing and recording personal items into a log.
• Enters personal identification information into a computer database and conducts searches in local and state law enforcement databases for outstanding warrants, personal identifiers and/or criminal histories.
• Conducts searches of inmates and individuals taken into custody.
• Accompanies inmates to court, ensures they remain in control during court proceedings, records judgments and enters the information into the computer upon return from court.
• Performs routine security checks as prescribed in operational policies and the status of the inmate(s); maintains a log of monitoring activities indicating the behavior and demeanor of inmates including any significant changes and actions taken in response.
• Accompanies inmates to church services, GED classes, visitation, etc. and ensures that they remain in control at all times.
• Operates the control board and opens and closes doors to ensure the security of the facility.
• Monitors cameras to view inmate activity and the grounds surrounding the facility.
• Participates in shake downs to determine the presence of contraband and other illegal substances in the facility.
• Verifies visitors’ identification and observes inmates and visitors during visitation periods.
• Distributes meals and dispenses medications to inmates at prescribed times.
• Occasionally transports prisoners to medical doctors, emergency facilities, court appearances or other correctional facilities.
• Maintains documentation of inmate information in an organized and accessible manner.
• Intervenes and establishes control in dangerous and/or volatile situations to ensure the safety of individuals taken into custody and other inmates.
• Maintains a log of individuals released on bond and updates computer records as needed.
• Supervises the activity of trustees as they perform their assigned duties.
• Determines the appropriate course of action for inmates experiencing trauma or in need of medical attention.
• Performs related duties as required.

Required

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) or one-year related experience and/or training or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Tennessee driver’s license and ability to be insured at standard vehicle liability rates.
• Ability to pass a physical and drug screen administered by a licensed physician.
• Successful completion of all requirements necessary to receive Tennessee Corrections Institute Certification.
• Successful completion of forty (40) hours of in-service training annually.

Section 41-4-144 (a) After July 1, 2006 any person employed as a jail administrator, jailer, corrections officer, or guard in a county jail or workhouse shall:

Be at least eighteen (18) years of age; Be a citizen of the United States; Be a high school graduate or possess its equivalency which shall include a general educational development (GED) certificate; Not having been convicted or pleaded guilty to, or entered a plea of nolo contendere to any felony charge or to any violation of any federal or state laws or municipal ordinances relating to force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor or controlled substances; Not have been released or discharged under any other than honorable discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States; Have such person’s fingerprints on file with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; Have passed a physical and psychological examination by a licensed physician certified by the State of Tennessee; Have a good moral character as determined by a thorough investigation conducted by the Sheriff’s Office. Graduation from an accredited high school (mandatory) or graduation from an accredited college (preferred) for higher education (Associate or Bachelor Degree) in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement; experience working in a juvenile and/or adult correctional facility; ability to interact effectively with inmates, family members and the public; sufficient physical strength to perform work related activities and react to emergency situations; strong decision-making skills or any equivalent combination of education and experience to provide the following knowledge, abilities, and skills:

• Considerable knowledge of electronic fingerprinting and imaging equipment operation and standards.
• Knowledge of Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39 and 55 pertaining to civil and criminal law, statutes, ordinances and regulations.
• Knowledge of Federal, State and Sevier County laws and ordinances and correctional facility policies and procedures or the ability to acquire this information within 60-90 days.
• Knowledge of common first aid practices, CPR and exposure to dangerous pathogens (universal precautions).
• Some knowledge of dietary requirements for various health conditions and the effect of common psychotropic drugs.
• Ability to react quickly and appropriately to potentially dangerous or volatile situations to ensure the safety of others.
• Ability to perform the physically demanding requirements of the job.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, emergency management and law enforcement personnel and detainees.
• Ability to make appropriate and timely decisions based upon the information and resources available.
• Ability to acquire and utilize new job-related information as required.
• Ability to document and maintain accurate logs of information and job-related activities.
• Skill in the operation and use of modern law enforcement protective devices, handguns, chemical sprays, intake and restraint equipment, etc.
• Skill in the operation of law enforcement motor vehicles.