Detention Officer

Under general supervision, Detention officers perform intermediate protective service work for ensuring the safety, detention, and security of inmates in the County Detention Facility.  Detention officer’s work with and around inmates.  There are elements of personal danger, situational awareness, professional discipline and teamwork.  Detention officers are required to perform all related work and collateral duties as assigned.  Reports to the Detention Facility Lieutenant and/or other senior officers.

Essential Duties and Tasks

• Patrols assigned areas; responds to calls for service; renders appropriate aide; investigates crimes and disturbances; undertakes special assignments; assists citizens; prepares and maintains accurate records and reports; performs duties in accordance with federal, state, local laws, and Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures.
• (These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed.  The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)
• Receives inmates to Detention Facility; conducts search; completes intake forms; secures personal property; ensures inmates are allowed calls to attorneys and relatives as required; advises inmates of detention rules and regulations.
• Acts as booking officer by maintaining inmate information; verifies completion of necessary intake forms; performs base classification; assigns /maintains inmate count and cell locations.
• Oversees the security and activities of inmates.
• Supervises trustees, meals, and cleaning of facilities.
• Assists in inmate visitation activities.
• Inspects and searches incoming property delivered for inmates to determine if it is allowable; distributes personal property as appropriate.
• Prepares inmates for transportation to courthouse, medical facilities, or other facilities.
• Administers simple medications; distributes medications as prescribed for the general welfare of inmates; contacts physician and/or nurse as needed.
• Patrols entire Detention Facility to prevent escapes and maintain order.
• Release inmates as appropriate; completes forms providing required documentation of release; returns personal property.

Additional Job Duties

• Performs all other duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• General knowledge of federal, state, and local laws pertaining to inmate sentencing, pretrial conditions, and release.
• General knowledge of the Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and to prepare clear reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Ability to analyze situations and to adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records.
• Ability to render emergency assistance based on certifications.
• Ability to attend work regularly;
• Skilled in the use of firearms and other law enforcement equipment; possession of physical agility and endurance; excellent interpersonal skills.

Minimum Requirements and Experience

• High School Graduate or High School Equivalency certificate.  
• Must be a minimum of 21 years in age.
• Successful pre-employment drug screen.
• Successful criminal background check.
• Successful pre-employment physical.

Physical Demands Very heavy work requiring the exertion of up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Work requires climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, and feeling.   Vocal communications are required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken word, conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.  Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.  Visual acuity is required for depth perception, color perception, peripheral vision, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, determining accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities.  Workers are subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, noise, vibration, and atmospheric conditions.  Workers may be required to wear a self-contained breathing apparatus. Workers may be exposed to blood borne pathogens and may be required to wear or use specialized personal protective equipment.

Special Requirements Certificated as a Jailer by the State of North Carolina in accordance with the North Carolina Sheriff’s Training and Standards Commission within one (1) year of employment.  Must meet and maintain minimum qualifications for the position established by the Sheriff’s Office (as defined in the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Standardized Training Requirements) and the State of North Carolina.   Certified in CPR, Advanced First Aid, and Fire Extinguishers.

Levels of Certification:

Detention Officer I   -     Non-certified officer. (Trainee)  Entry level with no experience.

Detention Officer II  -     Possession of a Jailer Certificate. 

Detention Officer III -     Possession of a Jailer Certificate. Three years of experience and Possession of four specialty classes.