Detention Officer

Union County Sheriff's Office; Monroe (NC); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Union County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Detention Officer to support safety, security, and custody within the Union County Jail. The role involves processing inmates, enforcing policies, and handling inmate needs while maintaining professional conduct with staff and the public.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver’s license, and the NC Basic Detention Officer Certification (or obtain within 1 year). Bachelor’s degree is preferred, and physical duties are demanding.

Qualifications

• Requires a high school diploma or GED; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be physically able to operate law enforcement equipment and tools.

Responsibilities

• Maintains the safety and security of all personnel, inmates, and jail.
• Processes inmates in and out; applies and removes restraints; communicates with inmates.
• Searches facility and inmates; conducts strip searches as prescribed by policy and State Statute.
• Responds to inmate inquiries and grievances.
• Completes medical, money, and property forms for all inmates.
• Prepares release orders from court and maintains court records.
• Attends shift/mandatory meetings and trainings.
• Runs visitation and transports inmates as directed by court orders.
• Interprets court documents as inmates return from court.

Skills

Driver's license

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

The Detention Officer, under general supervision, performs a variety of duties in the care, custody, and security of all prisoners in the Union County Jail. Primarily responsible for the prevention and detection of crime within the Detention facility; performs general jail and detention work; responsible for maintaining the safety and security of all personnel, inmates, and jail. Employee must exercise initiative and independent judgment in completing assigned tasks. Employee must also exercise tact, courtesy, and firmness in frequent contact with the public. The employee is subject to the usual hazards of law enforcement work.

• Maintains the safety and security of all personnel, inmates, and jail.
• Processes inmates in and out; applies and removes restraints; communicates with inmates.
• Searches facility and inmates; conducts strip searches as prescribed by policy and State Statute.
• Distributes hygiene products.
• Responds to inmate inquiries and grievances.
• Completes medical, money, and property forms for all inmates.
• Prepares release orders from court and maintains court records.
• Answers phone calls; data entry.
• Conducts inmate supervision in accordance with Jail Policy and North Carolina Detention Facility Code 14J.
• Makes list of prisoners confined.
• Furnishes information for bail bondsmen, families, attorneys, court officials, and other law enforcement personnel.
• Takes inmates to and from Magistrate.
• Maintains cleanliness of facility.
• Feeds inmates 3 times daily; pass out snack bags and special diet foods to certain inmates.
• Supervises inmate workers.
• Attends shift/mandatory meetings and trainings.
• Runs visitation.
• Receives, dispenses, and logs in money and mail for inmates; collects/distributes inmate mail.
• Transports inmates to jail nurse for blood sugar checks, blood pressure checks, sick calls and doctor visits.
• Conducts transportation of inmates as directed by court order.
• Prepares dockets for courts (District, Superior, Extradition, etc.).
• Gathers inmates for video arraignment and verifies proper forms are filled out for the Clerk’s Office.
• Contacts immigration for detainers on illegal subjects.
• Interprets court documents as inmates return from court.
• Responds to assaults between inmates and attacks against officers.
• Supervises ministers in the cellblocks.
• Assists with moving combative inmates within the Jail.
• Investigates criminal violations and obtains appropriate charges on inmates who conduct criminal offenses.
• Conducts a minimum of five random cell searches each shift and records all areas searched.
• Completes Jail reports, Incident reports, Use of Force, Segregation Notices, and Segregation Hearings of Jail rule violators.
• Collects and enters evidence in accordance with Sheriff’s Office policy.
• Conducts quarterly fire drills and verifies fire extinguishers are operating properly throughout the Union County Jail on a monthly basis.
• Locates repairs needed in the facility and submits work orders to maintenance; escort maintenance throughout the Jail to make repairs.
• Routinely conducts perimeter checks outside of the building walls.
• Supervises inmates at the hospital.
• Conducts the Inmate Law Library.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Requires a high school diploma or an acceptable equivalency diploma (GED). Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Licenses or Certifications:

Possession of the following certificate is required: Basic Detention Officer Certification from the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission. If the certificate is not held at time of assignment, it must be obtained within 1 year.

Must be a minimum of 20 years of age.

Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Must be physically able to operate different types of law enforcement equipment and tools, safety equipment, firearms, communications equipment, office equipment, etc. Physical demands are in excess of those of sedentary work. Work involves walking, standing, running, climbing, reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, and jumping for varying periods of time. Must be physically able to occasionally and/or frequently lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects up to fifty (50) pounds. Must be able to move or drag up to one hundred and seventy-five (175) pounds. Must be able to defend one's self from assault and to restrain suspects of varying weights.