Security Support Specialist

Dane County; Madison (AL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Dane County Sheriff's Office seeks a Security Support Specialist to monitor and dispatch in the jail complex. You will operate centralized control rooms, manage visitor movement, and coordinate with sworn and civilian staff to maintain security.

The role requires the ability to handle high-pressure situations, perform data entry, conduct background checks, and provide clear public information while upholding confidentiality.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; two years related experience desirable.
• Ability to perform data entry with accuracy.
• Experience in security, law enforcement, or public safety is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Receive, dispatch, and monitor communications for sworn and civilian personnel.
• Operate centralized control rooms and fingerprinting stations.
• Assist with visitor movement and resident property handling in the jail.
• Respond calmly to emergencies and coordinate evacuations when needed.
• Maintain secure access and document high-risk activities.

Skills

Data entry

Emergency response

Radio communications

Public safety

Stress management

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Posting number: 2026-00215

Department: Sheriff's Office

Job classification: Security Support Specialist

Posting type: Open

Categories: Corrections

Summary

Security Support Specialists start on 2nd shift (2:30p-10:30p) or 3rd shift (10:30p-6:30a) and work a rotating schedule of 6 days working and 2 days off with two 3-day weekends every 5th week. The eligible list created from this posting will be used for future Security Support Specialist vacancies for the next six (6) months.

Examples of duties

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY & INCLUSION

As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence – the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

DEFINITION

Under minimal supervision, receive, dispatch, and monitor the coordinated communications of sworn and civilian personnel; maintain secure access points, monitor, and facilitate the movement of staff, residents, and visitors within the Dane County Jails (DCJ); operate centralized control rooms, public visitation areas, and all fingerprinting stations; manage resident property and jail supplies; have direct daily interactions with law enforcement personnel and newly arrested/incarcerated persons; work in a correctional environment; dispatch emergency instructions to staff and civilians in secure areas of the DCJ; provide instruction and direct building evacuations of citizens, personnel, and residents; provide customer service and instructions to the public; perform related duties as required.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Ensure the safety and security of all persons in the DCJ system; coordinate and monitor the safe, efficient movement of staff and residents between the Dane County Courthouse, Public Safety Building, and City-County Building; manage and respond calmly in the event of jail emergencies, hostage situations, bomb threats, and protests; produce and access highly sensitive and confidential information; take quality photographs in compliance with Department of Justice; produce a distinct set of fingerprints to be sent to the Crime Information Bureau (CIB); print, organize, and collate paperwork used for resident jail records; process a high volume of complex transactions related to resident intake, property, and visitation; process, search, and itemize each article of resident property; conduct and supervise all in-area resident visitations; perform security sweeps of visitation areas; maintain accurate facility entry logs as required by WI DOC 350.30; operate multiple specialized computer programs and accurately record data into the record management system; conduct background and warrant checks; schedule, manage, and monitor jail conference rooms. Operate centralized control systems: monitor internal and external secure entrance and egress points of the facilities, manage and coordinate all emergency evacuations and communications, multi-channel radio transmissions, video surveillance, and staff movement requests; provide primary security access control of the facilities while simultaneously managing the needs of staff, residents, outside law enforcement, professionals visitors and persons with jail access; monitor facility panic alarms, fire suppression and alarm systems; receive, evaluate, prioritize, and dispatch requests for service from DCJ, Bailiff’s Office, Juvenile Reception Center, and Weapons Screening personnel; operate specialized public safety equipment and manage key control. Train new and veteran employees; produce and organize the files, billing review, statistics, enrollment, daily scheduling activities, and releases related to residents on the Jail Diversion Program; responsible for the purchasing, comparison research, and procurement of commodities required for the daily operations of the DCJ; storage and delivery of all staff products and products required for daily usage in maintaining resident housing units; schedule and manage the collection of all post-conviction and court ordered DNA submissions; conduct buccal swab application for physical DNA collection.

Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school. Must have additional combination of work experience equivalent to two (2) years full time employment, college/vocational training, or military experience. Previous experience in corrections, law enforcement, or other criminal justice related fields is desirable. Ability to perform data entry with net keystrokes of 6,000 per hour with a minimum of 90% accuracy.

Special Requirements

All candidates must be able to successfully pass background investigations which includes fingerprinting; must have no felony convictions; must maintain CPR and current Wisconsin TIME System certifications; must have no felony convictions; must be able to remain at a work station for long periods of time; as an essential employee, must be available to work nights, weekends, holidays, during severe weather conditions and mandatory overtime to maintain minimum staffing levels; must successfully complete a six month probationary period that includes on-the-job training.

Background Check Statement

Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job’s responsibilities. Wisconsin’s Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 – 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position’s responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant’s criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.). Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

For Bilingual Positions

1. Provide services in both English and the required foreign language (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, Hmong, etc.).
2. Applicants being considered for bilingual positions will be tested during the recruitment process prior to employment. This will primarily consist of passing an oral language proficiency assessment from English to foreign language and foreign language to English, but may require additional language testing, such as written translation, if it is an essential function of the job.

*If applicable, individuals may confirm with the Employee Relations Division whether results of bilingual language certifications/ examinations they currently hold qualify them for the position’s bilingual designation.

Physical and Environmental Work Requirements

The Security Support Specialist must be capable of working in a fast-paced, stressful environment. The Security Support Specialist must be capable of lifting a minimum of regularly/including 25 lbs., including above shoulder and at least 50 lbs. in the position of Central Supply. The Security Support Specialist must pass a hearing test and have the ability to stand for the majority of an 8 - 12 hour shift.

Supplemental information

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to dispatch clear and concise information; ability to analyze and react quickly and capably in stressful situations; ability to process, organize and prioritize a significant volume of tasks; ability to operate high-risk duty stations in fast-paced, stressful work environments; ability to communicate effectively and remain calm in stressful and emergency situations; ability to conduct themselves in a courteous manner and maintain a professional demeanor when communicating with upset citizens and disruptive or disrespectful residents; ability to mitigate volatile situations; ability to supervise, direct, and instruct residents in Visitation and Central Booking; ability to operate complex touchscreen controls, video surveillance, and multi-channel radio systems, ability to perform the emergency shutdown procedures and coordinate emergency responses; ability to operate specialized security equipment; ability to operate two-way multi-channel radio; uphold confidential policies and regulations; ability to interpret and apply directives, policy and procedures of the DCSO; ability to use independent thought and discretion; ability to perform an extensive amount of data entry; ability to interpret court ordered temporary restraining orders (TRO) and in-custody keep-separate issues; ability to deliver and manage all supplies required for daily operations; possess above average time management skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and visitors.