DETENTION OFFICER

City of Hobbs; Hobbs (NM); On-site; USD 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Hobbs operates the Detention Facility, managing a range of routine and specialized public safety duties in the care and custody of prisoners. Responsibilities include records handling, inmate transport, meal supervision, and security across the facility.

Applicants should have a high school diploma or equivalent, and strong people skills; ability to work under stress and handle emergency situations is essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Three years work experience with the public and strong people skills preferred.
• Ability to learn applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules.
• Ability to handle individuals in stressful situations.
• English proficiency is essential for the safe operation of the Facility.

Responsibilities

• Maintain security in all areas of the Detention Facility.
• Books, searches and releases and transports prisoners.
• Administers and supervises meal preparation and feeding.
• Supervises visitation, recreation, counseling and work assigned to inmates.
• Fingerprint and photograph inmates; operate computers to retrieve/store information.

Job description

To operate the City Detention Facility and to perform a variety of routine and specialized public safety work in the care and custody of prisoners. Also, to perform record keeping and technical work in the processing and housing of prisoners.

• Regular attendance is required to perform the duties of this position.

• Books, searches and releases and transports prisoners.

• Maintains security in all areas of the Detention Facility.

• Purchases food commodities and prepares meals.

• Administers and supervises meal preparation and feeding.

• Supervises visitation, recreation, counseling and work assigned to inmates.

• Supervises and completes records dealing with facility trustee program.

• Administers first aid and sees that inmates receive medical attention when needed.

• Distributes medication as prescribed by physician or non‑prescription labels.

• Answers telephone calls and monitors jail access and egress.

• Performs security patrols and cell searches.

• Evaluates and handles difficult and emergency situations while working assigned shifts.

• Carry out duties in conformance with Federal, State, County, and City laws and ordinances.

• Responds to emergency incidents and conducts investigation of incidents, crimes, disturbances, disputes, fights, abuse of drugs, etc. among inmates.

• Takes appropriate remedial action.

• Prepares a variety of reports and records.

• Fingerprint and Photograph inmates.

• Restrain combative, suicidal, argumentative or mentally disturbed prisoners.

• Operate computer terminals to retrieve or store information on prisoners.

• Assist with Municipal and Magistrate court procedures.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• Three years work experience which includes working with the public and strong people skills preferred but not required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Some skill in operating the tools and equipment listed below.

• Ability to learn the applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules and regulations; Ability to perform work requiring good physical condition; Ability to handle individuals in stressful situations.

• Ability to speak, read, write and understand English is essential for the safe operation of the Facility. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with inmates, peers and supervisors. The ability to also speak and understand other languages is desirable.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions in emergency and non‑emergency situations; Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Telephones, computers, printers, radio, typewriter, motor vehicle, camera, first aid equipment, cleaning supplies, dish washer, clothing washer and dryer, variety of kitchen appliances, hand held intoximeter, calculator, handcuffs, chains and leather straps, alarm buttons and hand held scanners. Numerous tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, sanders, power drills etc. are also used by Detention Staff at times.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Valid State issued Driver’s License

• Ability to obtain CPR/First Aid certification

• Residency requirement: residing within the five (5) mile planning radius of the city.*

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under general supervision of the Detention Shift Supervisor.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None over staff. Does supervise inmate activities and inmate workers.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit and talk or hear. The employee is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste and smell.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.