Full Time Jail Administrator

Brown County (MN); New Ulm (MN); On-site; USD 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown County (MN) is seeking a Jail Administrator to lead its jail operations, set the mission, and align staff with county goals. The role requires policy development, training, and fiscal oversight to ensure compliant, safe, and efficient day-to-day operations.

The administrator serves as liaison to the criminal justice system and community, directs budgeting, staffing, and program services while maintaining records and safeguarding inmate welfare.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher with relevant supervisory experience.
• Experience supervising jail staff and administration.
• Ability to develop and implement policies and training.

Responsibilities

• Directs jail operations in alignment with County goals.
• Oversees budget, staffing, and resource allocation.
• Ensures compliance with MN DOC rules and safety codes.
• Manages inmate medical needs, grievances, and safety.
• Maintains data, records, and reporting; prepares budgets and justifications.
• Supervises staff performance, trainings, and scheduling.
• Interacts with law enforcement, courts, and community partners.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Budget management

Policy development

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Associate degree

Job description

Jail administrators must be capable of handling the multiple roles of leader, manager, and supervisor. The Jail Administrator defines the jail’s mission and sets goals to achieve that mission. Establishes policy to guide the actions of staff and the jail in day-to-day operations. Motivates staff and aligns staff's personal goals with those of the jail. Serves as a liaison to the local criminal justice system and the community. This position implements policy by giving staff thorough written directives, provides training on those directives, and supervises staff as they carry them out. Monitors activities and assessing results. Disseminates information internally to staff, inmates and externally to local criminal justice partners. Manages and allocates budgets, staff and other resources. Solves problems and takes preventive action on issues before they escalat​e into major problems. As a court security officer being responsible for maintaining a secure and safe environment in and around the courtroom. Determines what individuals need to be fingerprinted, i.e., targeted misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors and felonies.

• Manages and administers inmate medical needs, inmate grievances and inmate safety.
• Maintains and monitors policy and procedure compliance.
• Bills counties for boarding inmates.
• Reports to Sheriff and County Board.
• Maintains compliance with MN DOC Rules that govern adult detention facilities and compliance of health and fire codes.
• Manages data privacy.
• Provides assistance and information to inmates, public, law enforcement, courts, etc.
• Maintains records management.
• Develops and revises position descriptions for the facility as needed.
• Assists other agencies in their hiring process (interview boards).
• Investigates jail incidents, and complaints.
• Determines, recommends, and purchases needed jail supplies.
• Develops bid specs for food service and inmate phone systems.

Management:

• Oversees all operations and work activities, including the staff of the department in alignment with the vision and directives of the County.
• Leads the operation of the jail, ensures County policies/safety/rules/procedures are followed, assists staff with problem solving issues, performs appropriate decision making, and follows through on projects to ensure work product is consistently high quality.

• Directs strategic planning, quality improvement and performance management activities.
• Clearly defines responsibilities and authority limits to employees.
• Inspires others to achieve results by promoting involvement, participation and cooperation.
• Works respectfully and effectively with managers and leadership of the department and creates a work environment among reporting staff that encourages and provides impactful outcomes through teamwork.
• Creates and supports effective working relationships within and between County departments, divisions and outside agencies.
• Interprets laws, rules, and regulations at the County, State, and Federal level.
• Directs implementation of laws and regulations in accordance with County, State, and Federal laws and regulations.
• Determines fiscal goals and objectives; establishes program areas, service needs, and allocates department resources.
• Prepares annual operating budget by providing comprehensive justifications for budgetary requests.
• Prepares and monitors budgets for special projects.
• Controls and monitors operating costs, expenditures and revenues by effectively utilizing staff, materials, and equipment; approves invoices submitted to the County Board for payment.
• Recognizes and initiates actions for possible changes and/or enhancements in Department procedures, processes, housekeeping, and/or safe practices, improving cost effectiveness, productivity and/or overall results.
• Establishes departmental goals and performance measures as well as communicates, supports, and evaluates the achievement of those set goals and measures.
• Assists in the development of long-range capital improvement projects and programs, and coordinates the goals, objectives, and priorities of the Department.
• Overseas and/or manages Department data records and reporting.

Supervision:

• Manages and directs the Department staff and the work activities of the employees in alignment with the vision and direction of the County.
• Provides effective supervision, training, and guidance for assigned personnel; is approachable; anticipates changes and manages challenges.
• Promotes teamwork and cooperation.
• Serves as a positive role model for successful performance and ethical conduct.
• Monitors and documents the work performance of assigned personnel on a timely and continual basis, conducts effective coaching, reviews performance, and takes corrective action whenever necessary.
• Delegates responsibility and authority.
• Responsible for scheduling work assignments, tracking, and approving hours of work.
• Conducts or oversees training for current and new employees to ensure established procedures are clearly understood and followed.
• Continually monitors results being achieved in assigned areas, providing the necessary tools, and coaching to create a cohesive team. Creates a working climate in which assigned personnel are motivated to develop their working knowledge, skills, and abilities, and demonstrates by personal example the desired standards of conduct and work performance.
• Other duties as assigned or are apparent.
• Regular attendance is required.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree and at least four years of experience OR
• Associate degree and at least six years of experience.

Requirements:

• Experience in a correctional facility, supervision of staff and administration.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to drive in the state of Minnesota.
• Obtain all required Correctional Officer State Licenses/Certifications
• Successful completion of background check and criminal history review.
• Attended Minnesota Sheriff Association Jail Academy.
• First Responder-and recertification every 2 years.
• BCA Teletype Certification and recertification test every two years.
• Taser Training yearly.
• Use of Force classroom and practical.
• Defensive tactics -every year.
• The Department of Corrections requires 16 hours of approved, documented continuing education every year.
• FEMA -2 hours.
• Medication Distribution Training and recertification test every two years.
• Prison Rape Elimination Act training.
• Restraint Chair Training (annually).
• FEMA Emergency Preparedness training every 2 years (8 hours).
• Armer Radio Training.

• Ability to supervise the work activities of jail staff to achieve effective operations.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing and to establish and maintain effective work relationships with superiors, subordinates, emergency service providers, other county and city staff, and the general public.

• Ability to learn to operate a variety of telephone, radio and computer equipment.
• Ability to comprehend and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to hear and correctly comprehend information by telephone, radio or other means.
• Ability to prepare concise and understandable written reports.
• Must be able to work rotating shifts.
• Must be able to work Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.
• Ability to exhibit mature judgment, imagination, initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to perform work requires good physical condition and mental stability to work in an environment that has constant potential and exposure to risks of serious injury and exposure to contagious disease.

• Ability to deal with inmates with tact and impartiality.
• Ability to maintain a professional attitude and poise when challenged, threatened or responding to assaultive inmates or situations.

• Be able to make sound decisions when staff calls at all hours of the day and night with situations that need immediate resolution.

• Possess conceptual skills: must see the relationship that exists between problems, cause must be related to effects.

Position is a Grade 15 with an entry hourly wage range of $42.00 - $47.10, DOQ. Position has a full earning potential of up to $59.19 per hour, DOQ.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER