Detention Officer I/II/III

Craven County; New Bern (NC); On-site; USD 47,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Craven County invites applications for Detention Officer I–III roles in the County Detention Center. The positions cover admission, inspection, and supervision of inmates, with increasing lead responsibilities and supervisory duties as you progress.

Required are a high school diploma (or equivalent) and NC Sheriff’s Standards certification within 12 months for I, with progression to II/III requiring experience and additional certifications.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school; or an equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Certification as a Detention Officer by the North Carolina Sheriff’s Training and Standards Commission within 12 months of hire (I).
• Two years of experience as a Detention Officer I; or an equivalent combination of experience and training; Certification as a Detention Officer by the North Carolina Sheriffs Training and Standards Commission (II).
• High School Diploma, one year experience as a Detention Officer II; or an equivalent combination of experience and training; 1st Line Supervisor Certification or equivalent training and certification; certification as a Detention Officer (III).

Responsibilities

• Admit prisoners to the Detention Center; book and search inmates; allow inmates to call attorneys and relatives; call bondsman if necessary; collect personal belongings of inmates for safekeeping and advise prisoners of all detention center rules and regulations.
• Inspect prisoners and their quarters to ensure cleanliness and sanitation; supervise trustees engaged in cleaning the detention center area and serving food.
• Arrange for prisoners to see visitors in specific areas; inspect all items brought into the facility; check incoming and outgoing mail.
• Patrol the detention center periodically to prevent escapes and maintain order.
• Assist in preparing and maintaining various paperwork to track inmates while in custody.
• Assist in the distribution of all monies that are sent to the inmates.
• Supervises daily inmate activities.
• Prepares various paperwork associated with admitting and releasing inmates.
• Performs duties in a lead worker role and provides area specific supervisory roles when required.
• Responsible for training and evaluation of new hires and employees who need remedial training.
• Will assist the shift sergeant in maintaining employee discipline and work performance as required.

Skills

Discipline and order

Interpersonal skills

Alertness

Independent judgment

Tact in public

Education

High School Diploma

Detention Officer Certification

Job description

Craven County is recruiting Detentions Officers. Selected candidates may be classified as Detention Officer I, Detention Officer II or Detention Officer III depending upon education, experience, qualifications, and certification.

Detention Officer I: Performs a variety of duties in the care and security of prisoners in the Detention Center. An employee in this class is responsible for performing a variety of duties pertaining to the safety, detention and securing of prisoners in an assigned area of the Detention Center. Considerable tact and firmness are required in frequent contacts with the general public. The employee is required to exercise alertness and some independent judgment in dealing with unusual situations. Work is performed in accordance with specific instructions and established jail operation policies and procedures. The employee is subject to the usual hazards of detention center management work. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Detention Center Supervisor and is evaluated through observation, review of records and on-site inspections.

Detention Officer II: Performs lead worker duties performing a variety of tasks in the care and security of prisoners in the County Detention Center. An employee in this class is responsible for performing a variety of duties pertaining to the safety, detention and securing of prisoners in the booking area of the Detention Center. Employee performs in a lead worker capacity and provides limited supervision in the absence of a higher-ranking officer. Considerable tact and firmness are required in frequent contact with the public. The employee is required to exercise alertness and some independent judgment in dealing with unusual situations. Work is performed in accordance with specific instructions and established detention center operation policies and procedures. The employee is subject to the usual hazards of detention center management work. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Detention Center Supervisor and is evaluated through observation, review of records and on-site inspections.

Detention Officer III: Performs lead worker duties performing a variety of tasks in the care and security of prisoners in the County Detention Center, as well as some supervisory duties. An employee in this class is responsible for performing a variety of duties pertaining to the safety, detention, and securing of prisoners in the booking area of the County Detention Center. The employee performs in a lead worker capacity and will have some limited supervisory job functions when required. Considerable tact and firmness are required in frequent contact with the public. The employee is required to exercise alertness and some independent judgment in dealing with unusual situations. Work is performed in accordance with specific instructions and established jail operating policies and procedures. The employee is subject to the usual hazards of jail management work. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Detention Center Supervisor and is evaluated through observation, review of records, and on-site inspections.

Detention Officer I:

• Admit prisoners to the Detention Center; book and search inmates; allow inmates to call attorneys and relatives; call bondsman if necessary; collect personal belongings of inmates for safekeeping and advise prisoners of all detention center rules and regulations.
• Inspect prisoners and their quarters to ensure cleanliness and sanitation; supervise trustees engaged in cleaning the detention center area and serving food.
• Arrange for prisoners to see visitors in specific areas; inspect all items brought into the facility; check incoming and outgoing mail.
• Patrol the detention center periodically to prevent escapes and maintain order.
• Assist in preparing and maintaining various paperwork to track inmates while in custody.
• Assist in the distribution of all monies that are sent to the inmates.

Detention Officer II:

• Admits prisoners to the Detention Center; ensures that inmates are properly booked and searched and that inmates are allowed calls to attorneys and relatives; collects personal belongings of inmates for safekeeping and advises prisoners of all detention center rules and regulations.
• Arranges for prisoners to see visitors in specific areas; inspects all items brought into the facility; checks incoming and outgoing mail.
• Supervises daily inmate activities.
• Prepares various paperwork associated with admitting and releasing inmates.
• Performs duties in a lead worker role and provides limited supervision in the absence of a higher-ranking officer.

Detention Officer III:

• Admits prisoners to the Detention Center; ensures that inmates are properly booked and searched and that inmates are allowed calls to attorneys and relatives; collects personal belongings of inmates for safekeeping and advises prisoners of all Detention Center rules and regulations.
• Arranges for prisoners to see visitors in specific areas and times; inspects all items brought into the facility; checks incoming and outgoing mail.
• Supervises daily inmate activities.
• Prepares various paperwork associated with admitting and releasing inmates.
• Performs duties in a lead worker role and provides area specific supervisory roles when required.
• Responsible for training and evaluation of new hires and employees who need remedial training.
• Will assist the shift sergeant in maintaining employee discipline and work performance as required.

All Detention Officers are required to perform general maintenance of the Detention Center facilities and other related work as required.

Detention Officer I:

Graduation from high school; or an equivalent combination of experience and training. The ability to obtain certification as a Detention Officer by the North Carolina Sheriff’s Training and Standards Commission within 12 months of the hire date.

• Some knowledge of practices and procedures involved in detention center management.
• Some knowledge of local laws, ordinances, and the North Carolina General
• Statutes pertaining to the commitment, confinement, and release of prisoners.
• Ability to maintain discipline and order in the Detention Center.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to maintain courteous and tactful relationships with families of inmates, attorneys, ministers, and other persons concerned with the welfare of individual prisoners.
• Ability to take prompt and effective action in detention center emergencies.

Detention Officer II:

Graduation from high school. Two years of experience as a Detention Officer I; or an equivalent combination of experience and training. Certification as a Detention Officer by the North Carolina Sheriffs Training and Standards Commission.

• General knowledge of practices and procedures involved in detention center management.
• General knowledge of local laws, ordinances and the North Carolina General Statutes pertaining to the commitment, confinement, and release of prisoners.
• Ability to maintain discipline and order within the facility.
• Ability to maintain courteous and tactful relationships with families of inmates, attorneys, ministers, and other persons concerned with the welfare of prisoners.
• Ability to take prompt and effective action in facility emergencies.
• Ability to provide limited supervision on an as needed basis.

Detention Officer III:

High School Diploma, one year experience as a Detention Officer II; or an equivalent combination of experience and training; 1st Line Supervisor Certification or equivalent training and certification; additional Detention Center management training. Certification as a Detention Officer by the North Carolina Sheriffs Training and Standards Commission.

• Good working knowledge of practices and procedures involved in Detention Center management.
• General knowledge of local laws, ordinances and the North Carolina General Statutes pertaining to the commitment, confinement, and release of prisoners.
• Ability to maintain discipline and order within the facility.
• Ability to maintain courteous and tactful relationships with families of inmates, attorneys, ministers, and other persons concerned with the welfare of prisoners.
• Ability to take prompt and effective action in facility emergencies.
• Ability to provide limited supervision on an as needed basis.

Hiring rate is dependent upon education, experience, qualifications, and certification.

Detention Officer I hiring rate: $47,056 for non-certified and $48,152 for certified.

Detention Officer II hiring rate is: $49,308

Detention Officer III hiring rate is $54,159

Physical Requirements:Must be physically able to operate a variety of equipment and tools including firearms, restraint devices, cellblock keys, nightsticks, etc. Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. However, if the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Medium Work.

Interpersonal Communication:Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors.

Language Ability:Requires the ability to read a variety of records and forms. Requires the ability to prepare a variety of forms, logs, reports, etc., using prescribed formats. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control and confidence.

Verbal Aptitude:Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in standard English.

Motor Coordination:Requires the ability coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using law enforcement equipment.

Manual Dexterity:Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as law enforcement equipment. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Interpersonal Temperament:Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.

Physical Communication:Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via a telephone.