Detention Officer

Gallatin County; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Gallatin County Detention Center is seeking a Detention Officer responsible for maintaining a secure facility and supervising inmates. The role includes keeping accurate records, handling administrative tasks, and enforcing inmate rules to ensure safety.

The position requires a high school diploma or GED, U.S. citizenship, fitness, and successful completion of background checks, exams, and CPR certification. Shift work, potential risks, and a commitment to ethics are expected.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• U.S. citizen required to be considered.
• Must meet minimum standards for public safety officers as per MT ARM 23.13.201.
• Applicants must pass fitness, written, oral and psychological examinations and maintain CPR certification.

Responsibilities

• Maintain secure detention facility and supervise inmates.
• Prepare and maintain factual records and reports.
• Follow policies and communicate effectively with staff and inmates.

Skills

Inmate supervision

Record keeping

Decision making

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

This position is located in the Gallatin County Detention Center. This position is responsible for maintaining a secure detention facility and safe custody of the inmates; performs a variety of technical and administrative tasks associated with the facility operations; provides inmate supervision; the incarceration of inmates; secures pre-trial and sentenced inmates in the Detention Center and performs other related duties as assigned. This position reports to a Sergeant and does not supervise other County employees.

This position must have a general knowledge of principles and procedures of record keeping and reporting; modern office practices, methods and computer equipment; procedures and methods and techniques of basic first aid and CPR. This position must have the ability to apply knowledge and reasoning to make prompt and effective decisions in both routine and non-routine situations including those situations that would be considered "life and death"; evaluate alternatives; work under stressful situations; make sound decisions in a timely manner, act on a situation quickly and take appropriate actions; write clearly and concisely; use acceptable grammar, punctuation and spelling; write reports which are organized, complete, accurate and factual; be sensitive to the feelings of others and resolve problems in ways that do not arouse antagonism; adapt to changes in working conditions (i.e., changes in assignment, shift changes and different types of incidents either incidentally or continuously); proceed on assignments without waiting to be told what to do; make effort to improve skills and keep informed of new developments in the field; exert the effort needed to make sure the job is done right the first time; be consistently productive; follow orders, rules and regulations; prepare and maintain factual records; work independently in absence of supervision; understand and follow written and verbal instructions; maintain a high level of personal and professional honesty and integrity and ability to communication clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing with a wide range of individuals (coworkers, support staff, other job fields), and with a wide range of personalities and unique situations (mental illnesses, emotional issues, emergency needs, etc). This position must have the ability to maintain high ethical standards, maintain confidentiality of information; establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; read and interpret documents such as Office/division policy and procedures manual and inmate rules and regulations. Experience and demonstrated ability build and support relationships among staff members; successfully coach/educate/counsel or teach customers, coworkers and/or others; perform high quality, completed work in a self-initiated, self-disciplined, self-monitoring and corrective manner; provide excellent care of internal and external customers; and demonstrated ability to follow organizational directives.

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Please note you must be a U.S. citizen to be considered for this position.
• Must meet minimum standards for the appointment and continued employment of public safety officers in the State of Montana in pursuant of Montana Administrative Rule (ARM) 23.13.201 as prescribed by the Montana Public Safety Officer Standards and Training Council. ARM 23.13.201

Applicants for this position must be physically and mentally fit. Prior to being hired, applicants will be required to pass a basic fitness test as part of the hiring criteria. Applicants must also pass written, oral and psychological examinations administered by the Sheriff's Office and be able to maintain certification in CPR.

As a condition of hire, the final candidates will be required to successfully pass an extensive background investigation, and fingerprinting will be performed to disclose any criminal record or convictions. Candidates will undergo a comprehensive psychological testing and interview process.

In the pre-interview screening process, applicants will be required to pass a felony conviction criminal history investigation. Applicants with a felony conviction will be disqualified.

The work environment involves high risks with exposure to potentially dangerous situations or unusual environmental stresses, which require a range of safety and other precautions. Employees must be able to respond quickly to an emergency, defend themselves or others against physical attack, force an inmate to the ground and apply restraints, pull an inmate, visitor or fellow employee out of danger during an emergency situation. Work is performed in situations and environments that provide the risk of exposure to AIDS, other blood-borne pathogens and communicable diseases. Employees must be able to workdays, nights, weekends and holidays.

In performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to feel; must be able to talk and hear; reach; climb; balance; stoop; kneel; bend; crawl; crouch; smell; pull/drag up to 165 pounds or more in training and in specific situation; specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; night vision and the ability to focus; vision must be corrected to 20/20 in each eye. This position must be able to use hands and feet in self-defense; physically place inmates in cells; discharge chemical agent (pepper spray) and use restraint devices (handcuffs, etc.) to control inmates.

If you are claiming Employment Preference, please submit the following items if you have them: DD-214 showing character of discharge, DPHHS Disability Certification, Service-connected disability letter, or a document issued by the office of the adjutant General of the MT National Guard certifying Service.

Note: This is a union position under the Deputy Sheriffs' Association negotiated agreement with Gallatin County.

Gallatin County does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

Qualified applicants will be placed in a pool up to 12 months for consideration of future openings.