DETENTION OFFICER

Whitfield County, GA; Dalton (GA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Whitfield County, GA is seeking a Detention Officer responsible for inmate intake, supervision, and security within the county jail. The role includes transporting inmates, conducting head counts, inspecting security equipment, and assisting with medical and visitation procedures.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, a valid Georgia driver’s license, CPR/First Aid certification, and appropriate detention officer certifications. Equal opportunity employer.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED or equivalent.
• Six months of security or law enforcement experience.
• Valid Georgia driver’s license.
• CPR and First Aid certification.
• Certification as a Deputy Sheriff, Detention Officer.

Responsibilities

• Process inmates into the facility and perform intake procedures.
• Supervise inmate activity and enforce facility rules.
• Transport inmates to court, work details, and medical appointments.
• Conduct head counts and security checks; monitor alarms and doors.
• Assist with searching inmates and releasing/receiving detainees.
• Prepare forms, logs, and reports and maintain documentation.
• Coordinate with supervisors and other departments to ensure operations.

Skills

Security experience

Observation and reporting

Decision making

Team supervision

Education

High school diploma or GED

Georgia driver’s license

CPR and First Aid certification

Deputy Sheriff/Detention Officer certification

Job description

PURPOSE OF CLASSIFICATION

The purpose of this classification is to maintain the security and safety of inmates, staff, and the public at the County correctional facility.

*OPEN UNTIL FILLED*ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Processes inmates into the facility; intakes arrestees’ personal property; fingerprints and photographs inmates; issues uniforms; checks arrestee for outstanding warrants; explains charges to arrestees.

Supervises and observes inmate activity within the prison and outside the jail; directs and disciplines inmates; monitors inmate behavior; physically restrains inmates as necessary to control the security and safety of the facility and inmates; monitors inmates in segregation to prevent self-inflicted injury and destruction of property; directs the work of trustees; supervises interns.

Transports inmates to work details, court, and medical facilities as needed; transfers inmates to the custody of correctional officers who supervise work details.

Conducts head counts in accordance with Georgia Department of Corrections Standard Operating Procedures to provide security; makes rounds of prison for the purpose of maintaining security; checks locks, fences, alarms, and other security devices; accompanies inmates from one area of the prison to another; conducts shakedowns to seize contraband material and weapons.

Assists with searching prisoners entering the facility from outside details; assists with receiving, searching, and releasing inmates being transferred to and from the facility and completes all required paperwork; assists with supervising inmates during meal times, yard calls, visitation, telephone, and when mail is opened; assists with administering medication, first aid, and responds to inmate requests for medical attention; assists with supervising routine cleaning and maintenance activities within the prison.

Screens incoming mail, packages, and vehicles for contraband.

Responds to verbal and written requests from inmates; answers questions; verbally disciplines inmates for minor violations; answers questions via the telephone about charges, court dates, and inmate bonds; answers questions for various law enforcement agencies; assists incoming officers with basic information about arrestees.

Prepares or completes various forms, logs, reports, correspondence, or other documents; enters data into the computer; receives various forms, reports, correspondence, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.

Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

May supervise inmates on outside work detail; maintains cemeteries and grounds around the jail; paints and maintains the interior and exterior of the jail; assists in maintaining grounds around courts; maintains equipment; orders lawn care materials; applies weed killer; prepares work schedules for inmates on work detail.

Operates a computer, calculator, digital camera, handcuffs, general office equipment, vehicle, two-way radio, lawn maintenance equipment, chain saw, drill, saws, hand tools, or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system software.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

Picks up and delivers items to/from storage building, tag office, and schools; picks up uniforms for Detention when needed; supervises inmates picking up roadside trash.

Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

High school diploma or GED; six month of experience in security or law enforcement; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license. Must be certified in CPR and First Aid. Must possess and maintain certification as a Deputy Sheriff, Detention Officer.

PERFORMANCE APTITUDES

• Data Utilization: Requires the ability to calculate and/or tabulate data. Includes performing subsequent actions in relation to these computational operations.
• Human Interaction: Requires the ability to provide guidance, assistance, and/or interpretation to others regarding the application of procedures and standards to specific situations.
• Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate and control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools and/or materials requiring complex and rapid adjustments.
• Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information.
• Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.
• Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.
• Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.

ADA COMPLIANCE

• Physical Ability: Tasks require the regular and sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and that generally involves lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds); may occasionally involve heavier objects and materials (up to 200 pounds).
• Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
• Environmental Factors: Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, electric currents, traffic hazards, toxic agents, violence, disease, or pathogenic substances.

Whitfield County, Georgia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.