JAILER

McLennan County, Texas; Waco (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

McLennan County, Texas is seeking a Jail Officer responsible for maintaining order and custody of inmates within a jail/courthouse setting. The role includes supervising inmates, processing intakes, conducting security checks, and ensuring safety and compliance with regulations.

A valid Texas driver’s license and the ability to work in challenging environments are essential. Required background checks will be conducted.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• TCOLE Jailer Certification preferred (not mandatory).
• Ability to pass background checks and pre-employment assessment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain order and custody of inmates in jail or courthouse.
• Provide supervision of inmates in housing and other areas.
• Conduct security checks and document infractions.
• Process inmates from intake to housing, including property and records.
• Perform searches for weapons and contraband; complete reports.

Skills

Driver's license

18+ age

Hostile environment

Interpersonal skills

MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Problem analysis

Physical fitness

Emergency supervision

Attention to detail

U.S. citizenship / legal status for US

Education

High School Diploma or GED

TCOLE Jailer Certification (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Perform security duties maintaining order and physical custody of inmates in a jail system or courthouse complex. Responsible for the care, custody, and control of persons to include; releasing offenders, maintaining security of the facility, and escorting offenders within and/or outside the secure confines of the jail.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provide direct and remote supervision of inmates within housing and other areas of a jail, a courthouse, or secure perimeter as assigned to maintain a safe and secure environment
• Conduct frequent security checks for evidence of unauthorized activities and infractions of rules, respond to situations, and document accordingly
• Receive and process inmates from officers and the courts, maintain inmates’ property, and direct inmates throughout the intake process
• Conduct metal detection of individuals and materials before entering facilities, perform necessary searches for weapons and contraband, and completes reports
• Inspect cells, housing areas, locks, windows, grills, doors, gates and perimeters of buildings and grounds for security purposes
• Observe conduct and behavior of inmates, respond to and control emergency situations, and use appropriate levels of force to control combative, volatile, or hostile offenders
• Documents numerous inmate activities such as, visitation, phone calls, incidents, movement, housing assignments, property, etc.
• Enter information into a database to capture daily activities
• Supervise inmates and trustee-inmates work crews
• Assists in booking new inmates
• Conduct head counts to ensure that each prisoner is present
• Inspect conditions of locks, window bars, grills, doors, and gates at correctional facilities to ensure security and help prevent escapes
• Inspect mail for the presence of contraband
• Supervise the dispensing of food in a timely fashion to inmates, ensuring all health and safety regulations are complied with
• Must be able to obtain TLETS certification.
• Regular attendance and timeliness are required
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

BOOKING STAFF JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Receives and reviews paperwork associated with incarceration to ensure accurate completion; notarizes affidavits from the arresting officer; obtains information from inmate and paperwork (warrant, writ, detainer, etc.) and makes appropriate computer entries; including local and out of county charges
• Checks for any outstanding warrants using the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS) computer and confirms with out-of-county agencies that have warrants through TLETS, run Criminal Histories through TLETS for classification officer. Process Emergency Protective Orders, Interlock, Conditions of Bonds when ordered by the judge. Enters stolen items into TLETS for Sheriff’s Office Deputies and other agencies that we have inter-local agreement with
• Prepares bail bonds (e.g. probable cause misdemeanors, pre-indictments, Class C, cash bonds, fugitive fines, and civil) and fees associated with each for releasing prisoners from custody.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER:

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

EDUCATION:

Required:

• High School Diploma or GED

Preferred:

• TCOLE Jailer Certification (must not be on probationary status for disciplinary reasons)

SKILLS ~ EXPERIENCE:

• Current and valid TX driver’s license and a safe driving record
• Applicant must be 18 years of age on /or before date of hire
• Ability to work in a hostile environment of inmates and their visitors without reacting in a negative manner and project a professional image at all times
• Exceptional skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with County staff, inmates, police departments and the public
• General knowledge of basic hardware and software and uses of a variety of different computer operating systems such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals
• Must also possess excellent physical assessment skills and be able to make sound judgment decision
• Ability to supervise emergency situations, make effective decisions under stressful situations, and direct the use of physical force necessary to protect oneself and others
• Keen attention to detail; careful and accurate data entry
• Must be a U.S. citizen or is a legal permanent resident of the United States, if the person is an honorably discharged veteran of the armed forces of the United States with at least two years of service before discharge and presents evidence satisfactory to the commission that the person has applied for United States citizenship.

DISCLAIMER:

McLennan County will conduct background checks on new hires that will include a criminal background check related to convictions and deferred adjudications in the past ten years and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records, and educational attainment. A conviction or deferred adjudication is not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered individually. McLennan County requires jailer candidates to complete a pre-employment assessment. This assessment helps us evaluate your skills and suitability for the position.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT PHYSICAL TESTING:

The following exercises will be graded as a complete or did not complete. In order to pass the physical fitness test, the participant must complete all five exercises.

1. 1/2-mile run
2. Deadlifts: 3 barbell deadlifts
3. Overhead Dumbbell Press
4. 25-yard sled drag
5. 100-yard run while wearing SCBA equipment

Disqualifiers:

• Undesirable character or reputation
• A felony conviction or felony deferred adjudication against the laws of this state, another state, or the United States
• Conviction including court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of Class B Misdemeanor, or a Class B Misdemeanor within the last ten (10) years
• Currently under indictment for any criminal offense
• Conviction, guilty plea, or probation for any family violence offenseDischarge from any military service under less than honorable conditions, or any other characterizations of service indicating bad character

All Employees

• Must be committed to achieving excellence in assigned duties, always in service of the county and community
• Must have ability to earn and keep the trust of fellow employees and the community at large
• Must be approachable and ready to help fellow employees and the general public

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

• Contact with “at risk” clients and persons accursed or adjudicated of misdemeanor and felony offenses, visitors and general public
• Work is performed mostly indoors in a 24-hour/7-day confined, security facility
• Climate-controlled environment. Significant contact with the public, elected officials, department heads, and other County employees
• Potential exposure to chemical agents deployed to maintain facility security

PHYSICAL DEMAND REQUIREMENTS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear
• The employee frequently is required to stand. The employee is frequently required to walk; sit; use hands to find, handle, or feel objects, reach with hands and arms; stoop and kneel
• Must be able to meet the requirements of the Pre-Employment Physical Testing
• Individual must be able to physically avoid combative or aggressive inmates and may occasionally become involuntarily engaged with combative inmates
• Must be able to lift and wear an approximately 40 pound Self Contained breathing apparatus during emergencies.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• TCOLE Jailer Certification license obtained within the first year of employment as a condition of continued employment.
• This four-week certification training includes basic physical training and defensive tactics. The performance of these tactics will require physical strength and agility. This includes squats, running, jogging, bending, twisting, falling and pushing/pulling their own body weight.

HOURS / SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

Must be willing to work overtime, weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, evenings and nights. Must be able to work 12 hour shifts.

COMPENSATION – STRUCTURED STEP PAY PLAN:

Regular, full time Jailers are eligible to participate in the Step Pay Plan. Steps are created within each eligible position based on tenure. Each step represents an increase in salary over the Base Pay for the position to arrive at the Step-Adjusted Pay for the employee.