Sheriff's Correctional Deputy - Lateral

Santa Clara County; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A county sheriff's office in California is seeking a Sheriff's Correctional Deputy to maintain order and supervise inmates within correctional facilities. This role requires strong communication skills and the ability to handle aggressive behaviors. Candidates must hold necessary certifications and be legally authorized to work in the U.S. Competitive benefits and a dynamic work environment are provided.

Benefits

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Training opportunities

Qualifications

• Knowledge of state and local laws regarding inmate treatment.
• Ability to adapt to a correctional work environment.
• Understanding of investigative procedures.

Responsibilities

• Supervise inmate conduct in various settings.
• Maintain security through periodic counts and surveillance.
• Transport inmates to court and other locations.

Skills

Communication skills

Emotional control

Ability to handle aggressive behaviors

Effective report preparation

Ability to maintain order

Education

California Standards and Training for Corrections (STC) certificate

PC 832 Firearms and Arrest certification

First Aid and CPR certification

Job description

Under supervision, to maintain order and security of inmates within the Sheriff’s Office Correctional facility, and to transport inmates from the Sheriff’s Office Correctional facilities to and from court, medical facilities, and other locations within and outside the County; to supervise a crew of inmates in work projects throughout the County.

Under the appointing authority of the Sheriff, the Sheriff's Correctional Deputy has peace officer status while assigned to a detention facility, which extends throughout California when engaged in duties described in Penal Code Section 830.1(c).

The Sheriff’s Correctional Deputy Lateral is for applicants who currently work or recently worked in California Corrections and would like to work for Santa Clara County Corrections. Applicants must attach the necessary certificates and documents to their application, including the California Standards and Training for Corrections (STC) certificate, PC 832 Firearms and Arrest certification, and the First Aid and CPR certification.

Pursuant to California Senate Bill 960, effective January 1, 2023, it is no longer required for peace officers to either be a citizen of the United States or be a permanent resident who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship; instead, peace officers must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

The Sheriff’s Correctional Deputy Cadet Recruitment is for applicants who don't meet the above requirements, but would like to begin a career in California Corrections with Santa Clara County.

The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

• Supervises the conduct of inmates in living quarters, during meals and bathing, at recreation, and on work assignments;
• Maintains security of inmates by taking periodic counts and by surveillance of activities;
• Supervises groups of inmates assigned to the Industries, Programs, Weekend work and/or other maintenance activities and ensures that the work is performed properly;
• Inspects quarters for cleanliness and proper order and conducts cell searches and confiscates contraband;
• Books arrestees into jail, including recording custody information and inventorying personal property; orients new inmates to rules, regulations, and responsibilities;
• Releases inmates from custody on proper authority;
• Admits visitors with proper credentials within authorized regulations and advises on rules and procedures;
• Reports unauthorized absences and escapes;
• Responds to emergencies and circumstances requiring immediate attention;
• Reports infractions of rules and regulations and irregular and suspicious occurrences, and issues citations of infractions;
• Prepares written reports on the work, conduct, and habits of inmates and; writes incident logs and criminal reports;
• Transports and escorts inmates to court, between facilities, or to other locations;
• Maintains security within the correctional facilities and prevents escapes, physically restrains inmates when necessary, conducts perimeter checks of the facility, and performs headcount;
• Conducts warrant and warrantless misdemeanor or felony arrests of persons within the County's detention facilities;
• Answers inquiries concerning corrections procedures;
• Supervises inmate visitation;
• Performs business and record keeping functions, including monetary transactions, computer operations, and processing of booking files, bail/fine monies, and court paperwork;
• Participates in honor guard assignments and other community relations activities;
• Collects, organizes, interprets, and analyzes a variety of information to determine an appropriate and reasonable course of action;
• Conducts recruitments and makes other public appearances;
• Applies first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques, as needed;
• Conducts recruitment background investigations;
• May provide training in various areas within the Sheriff’s Office Divisions, including providing Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and/or Standard and Training for Correction (STC) to in-service personnel;
• May appear in court to testify;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required;
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Knowledge of:

• State and local laws and ordinances, including, but not limited to, those regulating the care, treatment, and custody of a diverse population of inmates, the operation of a correctional facility, and relevant sections of the Penal, Welfare and Institutions, and Business and Professions codes;
• Investigative procedures, methods, and techniques;
• Modern sociological concepts and communication skills in dealing with a diverse and ethnic population;
• Reasonable accommodations related to cognitive and physical disabilities of incarcerated individuals in compliance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA);
• First aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (C.P.R.);
• Common computer systems and applications;
• Course training and instruction techniques;
• English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Ability to:

• Understand, interpret, and apply departmental policies, rules, laws, and ordinances pertaining to the detention of inmates;
• Control, direct, and instruct inmates individually and in groups in the performance of work projects and in handling personal problems;
• Accurately observe, recall, and document inmate behavior;
• Prepare clear and concise reports;
• Communicate effectively with individuals of various educational and socioeconomic backgrounds;
• Make forcible arrests;
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions;
• Use and maintain equipment and supplies;
• Effectively handle hostile and aggressive behaviors;
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action;
• Participate in investigation of crimes, accidents, or other incidents, as needed;
• Exercise sound judgment, especially under stressful conditions;
• Perform a variety of physical tasks;
• Wear and operate equipment that may include emergency apparatus;
• Adapt to work environment;
• Work required hours and assigned shifts;
• Meet firearms qualifications, as required;
• Provide training and instruction in a variety of subjects within the Sheriff’s Office;
• Communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies;
• Exercise sensitivity, empathy, impartiality, conscientiousness, dependability, initiative, integrity, and emotional control;
• Ability to qualify for gun-bearing assignments may be required for some positions;
• Read and understand material safety data sheets and other safety communications;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;
• Use computer systems and applications.
• Work varying shifts (i.e. day, swing and graveyard), including weekends and holidays.