Detention Services Officer

City of Gilroy; Gilroy (CA); On-site; USD 79,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday Pay

Bilingual pay

Education incentive pay

Excellent benefits

Job summary

City of Gilroy seeks a Detention Services Officer to operate the jail facility, book arrestees, and transport detainees under the Gilroy Police Department. The role supports security, searches, and incident response in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma, two years public service experience, and complete a 176-hour Corrections Academy within a year. Bilingual English/Spanish desired.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 2 years full-time work experience, preferably in public service.
• Attend a 176-hour Corrections Academy within one year from date of hire.
• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Pass a physical agility test.
• Be able to meet DOJ/POST background requirements including polygraph and drug test.

Responsibilities

• Complete booking on arrestees: fingerprinting, photos, medical forms.
• Maintain jail security and conduct searches.
• Transport prisoners and monitor prisoner movements.
• Prepare police reports and complete forms.
• Assist in property/evidence processing and equipment maintenance.
• Participate in training programs and rotating shifts.

Skills

Booking arrestees

Fingerprinting

Transporting detainees

Firearms experience

Communication skills

Tech savvy

Shift flexibility

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Corrections Academy (176 hours)

Job description

ABOUT THE POSITION

The City of Gilroy is recruiting to fill the position of Detention Services Officer in the Gilroy Police Department (GPD).

$7,040.17 - $9,434.17 Monthly Base Salary* Plus Excellent Benefits

Holiday Pay (7.01% of base), Spanish/English bilingual pay (5% of base), and education incentive pay (up to 5% of base) are available in addition to the base salary noted above.

Work Schedules include 4-10 (Monday - Thursday) and 3-12.5 (Friday - Sunday) - must be able to work varied hours of the day/night, weekends, and holidays.

*Additional steps (Step F and Step G) included in the salary range listed above are available to employees in this job classification after completion of five years of service (Step F) and ten years of service (Step G), one year at the prior step, and good performance evaluation. Initial salary placement is typically at the entry point of the range unless the candidate has prior Detention Services Officer experience which may warrant initial placement at a higher step.

The Detention Services Officer (DSO) is an entry-level civilian law enforcement position. In this exciting opportunity, the DSO will work under the general direction of the Patrol Watch Commander operating the department’s detention facility, booking and transporting prisoners, and provide general assistance to the Operations and Support Services Division. Other law enforcement services and duties are required such as maintaining jail security, conducting searches, and responding to non-hazardous calls for service.

The work of DSO’s may be dangerous. Employees take suspects into custody at the City jail and may hold them for up to 24 hours. Once in custody, prisoners may be transported to the County jail in a Police vehicle or van. While performing routines, employees may start in a seated and docile position and then respond in a highly energized position. This job may be very fast paced and may require quick changes within a short period of time.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Gilroy Police Department (GPD) is located 28 miles south of San Jose, in Santa Clara County, and serves a diverse population base of approximately 60,000 residents. GPD provides 24 hour patrol services responding to public safety calls for service and implementing crime suppression, conducting investigations, traffic enforcement and accident investigation and solving civil conflicts, arresting suspects and engaging in directed patrol missions to prevent or reduce crime in order to protect life and property for the citizens of Gilroy.

The Gilroy Police Department is a progressive and forward-thinking organization that fosters career growth and seeks to utilize our employees to their fullest potential. Our core values of respect, integrity, compassion, teamwork, innovation, and accountability are a foundation to enhancing police services, community relations, quality partnerships, and meeting the needs of our community whom we are dedicated to serve.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL

• Possess general knowledge of the Criminal Justice and Department of Justice standards of confidentiality.
• Have experience booking arrestees and administering fingerprints, taking prisoner photos, completing medical forms, and transporting detainees.
• Exercise good judgment, courage, alertness, and an even temperament to achieve desired results when dealing with prisoners.
• Maintain poise and self-control during contentious situations that require mental resilience and the ability to act quickly.
• Have experience with firearms.
• Have effective oral and written communication skills along with a strong ability to actively listen.
• Be technologically savvy and able to work with various electronic devices, office equipment, and software programs.
• Hold cleanliness in high regard to ensure safety conditions of the detention facility are up to standards.
• Maintain an organized work area that is adequately stocked with necessary supplies.
• Take a significant degree of initiative, use independent judgement, and discretion.
• Be able to work various shifts and days including holidays.

1. Complete booking on arrestees, including but not limited to fingerprinting, photographs, booking and medical forms.
2. Maintain jail security, which may include conducting searches.
3. Maintain, control, and care for prisoners in Police custody. Provide periodic checks and monitor prisoner activity.
4. Comply with State laws and department regulations regarding prisoner segregation, safety, rights and overall work.
5. Make timely notification to the watch commander of detention facility conditions and incidents involving prisoners.
6. Responsible for the cleanliness and safety conditions of the detention facility.
7. Ensure detention facility is adequately stocked with supplies.
8. May be required to assist in property and evidence collection and processing.
9. Properly operate, care for and maintain department equipment.
10. Pick up and transport prisoners. Monitor and escort prisoner movements.
11. May assist in apprehension of prisoners using sound principles of law enforcement techniques.
12. May be required to prepare police reports and accurately complete a variety of forms.
13. May be required to provide written statements or keep logs on incidents, which occur in the holding facility or involving prisoners. May be required to tape record and transcribe dictated reports.
14. Serve subpoenas.
15. Make recommendations for updates in department policies and procedures.
16. Testify in court.
17. Fingerprint and/or photograph citizens or City employees, as required.
18. Lift and carry equipment, supplies and packages.
19. Assist in maintenance of files and indexes.
20. Maintain equipment inventory and distribute equipment and supplies. Ensure repair and/or replacement of damaged equipment.
21. Assist in vehicle maintenance program.
22. May be required to do computer data entry.
23. May be subject to recall.
24. May work an assigned shift with varied days and/or hours; may be required to work holidays.
25. Participate in training programs.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Possess a minimum of two (2) years of full-time work experience, preferably in public service.
• Required to attend a 176-hour Corrections Academy course within one year from the date of hire.
• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Pass a physical agility test.
• Be able to meet the current physical ability/ medical standards for a Detention Services Officer and be free from physical condition which adversely affect the performance of the essential duties of a Detention Services Officer.
• Pass a Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) background investigation, which includes a polygraph examination, and extensive Department of Justice criminal record check, an FBI check and firearms clearance.
• Pass a post-offer psychological evaluation and a medical examination, which includes a drug test.
• Possess and maintain a valid California Driver License and safe driving record necessary to operate assigned vehicles.
• Required to be proficient in typical police weaponry and meet department firearms qualification requirements
• Pass all required department training.
• Possess and maintain C.P.R. and First Aid Training certificates within six (6) months of hire.
• Establish and maintain residency within 45 minutes normal driving time from the Gilroy Police Station within 18 months from date of hire.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) desired but not required.
• Prefer non-tobacco user.

P.O.S.T. PHYSICAL AGILITY WORK SAMPLE TEST BATTERY INFORMATION

Please read the following instructions very carefully because they do contain important information in regard to the testing process and registration.

The City of Gilroy Police Department works with The Academy to administer the P.O.S.T. Physical Agility Work Sample Test Battery requirement.

To register to take the test to obtain a P.O.S.T. Physical Agility Work Sample Test Battery Certificate please visit the following site: https://theacademy.ca.gov/tests/. Click on the Physical Agility Exam tab and you will see the various dates and times the agility test is offered at different locations in the region.

In addition, the website noted above contains information regarding practice sessions offered to candidates.

The cost to candidates for this exam will be $125.00 plus a test fee of $4.04 due at the time of registration. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact The Academy at [phone].

Please submit a copy of your P.O.S.T. Physical Agility Work Sample Test Battery certificate showing the minimum score of 384 points and passing score on the 1.5 mile run (14 minutes or less) with your online application. Your results must be dated within one year of your application.

P.O.S.T. Physical Agility Work Sample Test Battery certificates with a minimum score of 384 points and a passing score on the 1.5 mile run (14 minutes or less) will be accepted from California P.O.S.T. locations other than The Academy provided they are dated within one year of the employment application.

When attending the exam please plan your time and arrive at least 15 minutes early and plan for traffic and other unknown events. Testing dates are subject to change by the testing location.

Important: You must upload and attach your WSTB Test Results to your application packet.

*The City will reimburse WSTB testing fees for any candidate hired for this position. (Please retain your receipts to submit when hired.)

THE CITY OF GILROY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND SUPPORTS WORKFORCE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION.