Inmate Classification Specialist

Maricopa County; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 54,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4/10 schedule

Pension

Medical plans

Personal day

KinderCare discount

MCKids Club

Free County gyms

Job summary

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office seeks an Inmate Classification Specialist to assess and assign custody levels, placing inmates in appropriate housing and coordinating crisis referrals as needed.

This role requires strong interviewing, documentation, and collaboration with medical and security staff in a jail setting, with evidence-based procedures and a focus on safety and rehabilitation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social or Behavioral Sciences, Criminal Justice, Human Services, Public Administration, Counseling, or Behavioral Health, or related field.
• Or combination of education and experience may substitute for minimum qualifications.
• Must possess a valid Arizona driver's license or obtain by hire.
• Extensive background review required before hire.

Responsibilities

• Assigns security classifications and sub-classification housing levels.
• Reclasses inmates per policy and coordinates with health staff.

Skills

Interviews

Problem solving

Office software

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social/Behavioral Sciences

Experience/substitution options

Tools

SHIELD system

Criminal history databases

Job description

The Inmate Classification Specialist assesses, evaluates, and assigns appropriate custody levels for inmates, ensuring placement in the least restrictive custody level in order to meet the needs of the inmate, the security of staff members, and the security of jail facilities. This position places inmates in special housing as needed, refers to crisis counseling, makes medical or psychiatric referrals, and contacts community resources. By providing accurate inmate classifications, the Specialist helps to minimize the risk of violence, promote a rehabilitative environment within the facility, and create an atmosphere that prioritizes the welfare of inmates and staff.

About the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office:

Do you possess integrity, strong interpersonal skills, and do you have a desire to serve your community? We are seeking passionate individuals to join our team with a variety of openings for Civilian, Detention and Sworn personnel. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) invites you to become part of Arizona's leading law enforcement agency where we come together as a team to support and provide public safety.

Compensation is more than a salary with MCSO:

• Growth and stability since 1871
• Exceptional work-life balance: 4/10 schedule based on business needs
• Opportunity for criminal polygraph examinations
• Training opportunities with AZ Polygraph Association, American Polygraph Association, American Association of Police Polygraphists
• Network with other case agencies
• Choice of three medical plans - starting as low as $70/month
• Holidays - 10/year + 1 personal day
• Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System (Pension)
• Paid sick and parental leaves (birth/adoption)
• 30% discount at KinderCare daycare facilities in the Valley
• MCKids Club daycare next to headquarters.
• Access to free County gyms
• Learn more at Benefits Overview

Position Qualifications

We recognize your time is valuable, so please apply if you meet the following required qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Social or Behavioral Sciences,Criminal Justice, Human Services, Public Administration, Counseling, or Behavioral Health, or a closely related field.

OR

Combined education and experience qualifications

• Other combinations of education or experience may substitute for the minimum qualifications on a year-for-year basis, for example:
  • Associate's degree and two (2) years of qualifying experience, or
  • Four (4) years of qualifying experience.

Other requirements

• Must possess a valid Arizona driver's license or have the ability to obtain by the time of hire.
• Training that may be provided on-the-job: Safety; Payroll; PREA.
• Prior to hiring, the Sheriff's Office requires that all candidates pass an extensive background review.

Our Preferred Candidate has

• Experience working in a corrections, detention, or law enforcement environment.

(This is not an all-inclusive list of all job duties that may be required; employees will be required to perform other related duties as assigned.)

• Promotes a professional work environment that fosters positive working relationships within classification, detention, CHS staff, and other agencies.
• Monitors daily workload and prioritizes classifications to ensure compliance within court mandated time frames.
• Researches prior booking information, criminal histories, and court information in accordance with department policy.
• Interviews inmates and notes any significant information; acquires inmate signatures for all necessary classification documents.
• Ensures compliance with PREA by conducting questionnaires with inmates.
• Distributes the Informational Handbook for Inmates to inmates.
• Provides risk avoidance counseling to help inmates identify potential risks and implement strategies to reduce or eliminate them, and basic justice system procedure information to inmates unfamiliar with jail protocol.
• Assigns the security classification and the sub-classification housing levels in SHIELD. Adds appropriate notes and alerts as required by department policy and procedure.
• Reclassifies inmates based on department policy and procedure.
• Manages inmates located in Administrative Restrictive or Closed Custody housing, reviews files on weekly and/or monthly basis and submits requests to the corresponding Special Management Review Committees in accordance with office policy.
• Responds to inmate tank orders and requests in accordance with office policy.
• Communicates with Correctional Health's medical and mental health personnel to determine appropriate housing based upon the inmate's current health conditions or concerns.
• Answers incoming telephone calls, assists other departments with questions or concerns, and routes calls to supervisors as needed.
• Maintains compliance in reviewing policy.
• Trains new employees as directed by the Inmate Classification Supervisor and participates in quality control of employees in training.
• Performs other duties as directed by Inmate Classification Command staff or Inmate Classification Supervisors.

Working Conditions

Maricopa County is an EEO/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

The following environments described are only representative of how the essential job tasks are currently performed or envisioned. As such, in order to accommodate a disability or limitation, the essential job tasks may be performed in ways other than described on these pages.

This position involves working within the secure confines of a jail facility and involves communicating directly with the inmate population in a 24/7 operation. Must be able to work rotating shifts, weekends, holidays and rotating days off.

Work environment

• Frequently outdoors
• Rarely in temperatures above 90 degrees, below 40 degrees
• Conditions frequently include smoke/dust, confined area, stairs or ladders, high noise level, bright lighting, exposure to contagious diseases
• Conditions rarely include wet/damp area, dim lighting

Physical environment

• Sitting, standing, walking
• Driving a vehicle
• Climbing, crouching, balancing
• Lifting floor to waist ten (10) pounds
• Carrying a weight of ten (10) pounds for a distance of 5 feet
• Pushing/pulling a weight of fifty (50) pounds for a distance of 60 feet
• Interruptions
• Time pressures
• High volume of work
• Handling multiple or complicated tasks, unscheduled tasks, frequently changing tasks
• Accuracy
• Decision making
• Teamwork
• Working in close physical proximity with others
• Conditions frequently include isolation, overtime/rotating shifts
• Conditions rarely include emergencies, traumatic subject matter, public contact

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of

• The principles and practices of a correctional classification system
• Interviewing techniques includingprinciples/practices.

Skill in

• Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Using standard office equipment and computer applications including spreadsheets, database and word processing software.

Ability to

• Establish and maintain successful working relationships with others.
• Speak and write effectively while working in a frequently hectic office environment.
• Compile information, reports and records.
• Evaluate information and determine appropriate category or classification.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

The hiring authority will select the successful candidate based on departmental needs. All offers of employment made to new hires and rehires at Maricopa County are contingent upon successful completion of a post-offer, pre-employment thorough background investigation. A background investigation is conducted on a current employee who changes to a Safety Sensitive Position or one having the potential for serious adverse impact on the integrity or efficiency of the County. These requirements do not pertain to employees of elected officials who undergo background investigation processes administered through their respective offices. Typically, successful candidates are hired at a salary rate, up to midpoint of the range, based on applicable experience, internal equity and budgetary allowances.

Selection Procedure

Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications

Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile

Must pass a pre-employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive

Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact [e-mail] to initiate the interactive process.

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