Detention Officer

Harnett County Schools; Lillington (NC); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Harnett County Sheriff's Office in North Carolina seeks a Detention Officer to supervise inmates, conduct intake, and maintain logs. The role involves ensuring jail security, handling releases, and coordinating with court and law enforcement staff.

Strong observation and record-keeping skills are essential. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and NC Detention Officer Certification training, with no experience required.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of inmate security policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate clearly with inmates and the public.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and reports.

Responsibilities

• Receive inmates by conducting search, intake, photos, and property checks.
• Oversee inmate security, supervise meals, and monitor medical status.
• Provide information to public and professionals; maintain inmate files.
• Process releases with proper documentation and maintain logs.
• Write reports and maintain security throughout the jail facility.
• Coordinate facility operations with court staff and law enforcement.

Skills

Inmate security procedures

Written and verbal communication

Judgment under pressure

Record keeping

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Detention Officer Certification Training (NC)

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

An employee in this position performs inmate detention work on a shift in the Harnett County Detention Center for the Office of the Sheriff. This includes observing and accompanying inmates inside the detention center along with related care and record keeping requirements.

Annual Salary

Detention Officer: $48,078.00

Duties And Responsibilities

• Receives inmates by conducting search, completing required intake forms, photographing and fingerprinting, and securing personal property.
• Oversees the security and activities of inmates; supervises meals and cleaning of facilities; distributes personal property; monitors inmates' medical status; and takes actions when illness or injury is suspected.
• Provides non?confidential inmate information to the public, attorney, and bond personnel; maintains files on inmates; searches incoming property delivered to inmates; and verifies visitor acceptance by inmate.
• Releases inmates on bond due to court order or time served; ensures release papers are proper and complete; returns personal property to individual, and completes forms providing required documentation of release.
• Writes reports; maintains records.
• Makes sure jail is secure; enforces rules; maintains order; takes care of law-and-order situations in the jail; monitors security cameras; and keeps a careful watch on the inmates.
• Answers phones.
• Facilities transportation to/from court and medical care.
• Coordinates court activities with court clerks, bailiffs, and district attorney.
• Conducts background checks.
• Supervises cleaning and maintenance of detention facilities and fixtures.
• Assists at the Master Control Center, as assigned: controls doors and gates; conducts and logs periodic checks on communication systems, alarms, electric gates, intercoms, phones, and visual recording systems; notifies supervisor on any alarms; contacts local law enforcement as instructed; and maintains communications with any area of facility experiencing disturbances.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• No experience required;
• Or equivalent education and/or experience.
• Possession of a valid North Carolina driver's license.
• Completion of the minimum requirements of Detention Officer Certification Training Standard established by the state of North Carolina for Detention Officers.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws pertaining to inmate sentencing, pretrial conditions and release.
• Knowledge of policies and procedures covering inmate security, classification, care, and discipline.
• Skill in dealing tactfully and firmly with inmates and the public.
• Skill in communicating, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in routine and emergency situations.
• Ability to work in a hazardous and confining work environment.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with supervisor, inmates and their families, employees, and the public.
• Ability to actively listen to inmate conversations and sounds in the facility and exercise judgment in determining potential security problems.

Physical Demands

Must be able to perform medium work frequently exerting up to 30 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects; and occasionally requiring to exert up to 50 pounds of force to move objects. This work also involves the physical abilities of balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, grasping, handling, perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, discriminating among sounds, kneeling, lifting, using mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, performing repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, expressing ideas by the spoken word, shouting to be heard above ambient noise, and walking. An incumbent must also possess the visual acuity to process records and reports, work with color or depth perception, observe activities in the jail, determine accuracy/neatness/thoroughness of work assigned, operate office/detention center equipment, and inspect for defects.

Work Environment

The employee is subject to hazards associated: with custody work including working in inside environments; with exposure to various hazards such as noise, a variety of physical conditions, and close quarters; and with exposure to human body fluid and thus are subject to OSHA requirements on blood borne pathogens. Employees may be assigned to work any shift and come in frequent contact with violent, suicidal, and mentally unstable inmates.