Jail officer job description

• United States citizen
• 21 years of age or older
• High school or GED diploma
• No felony convictions
• Valid Driver's License

Benefits:

• Insurance (medical, dental, and vision)
• State Perf Pension
• Life Insurance
• Paid Vacations
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Training
• Uniform Issuance
• Available Overtime

JAIL OFFICER JOB DESCRIPTION

1. PURPOSE OF POSITION

• The Jail Officer is appointed by the Sheriff and is responsible for maintaining security and order in the Jail.

2. DUTIES

• Enforces local, state and federal laws by implementing effective policy to protect the lives and property of the people.

• Performs booking procedures of individuals being detained by photographing, fingerprinting and entering required information into computer terminal, receiving and receipting all money and personal property, and assuring inmates are properly showered, changed into Jail clothing and searched for weapons and other contraband.
• Performs bonding procedures by completing required forms, receiving and receipting bond money, returning personal belongings and releasing inmate.
• Maintains Jail control, including monitoring numerous surveillance cameras, entering and retrieving data from computer, opening and closing security doors and gates, and answering telephone calls.
• Performs duties, including observing inmates for inappropriate behavior, opening and closing cell block doors, logging and releasing inmates for recreation, visitation and various other functions, and overseeing the provision of meals, medication and cleanliness of individual cells.
• Transports inmates to and from various locations, such as courts, Department of Corrections, medical appointments, and hospitals. Escorts inmates for appearances in court, recreation, visitation, library and other meetings and activities.
• Provides inmates with daily meals, ensuring all trays, cups and spoons are properly removed from cellblock.
• Issues prescribed medications according to standing physicians’ orders. Follows appropriate procedures to ensure proper medical attention to inmates.
• Receives, sorts and logs incoming and outgoing mail and personal items for inmates, as required. Check vehicle identification numbers on out-of-state vehicles as requested.
• Conducts routine searches of all cells and dormitories for contraband and prepares written reports of findings.
• Ensures compliance with Jail Rules and Regulations, and reports all unusual and/or unruly activity to appropriate Jail Personnel. Properly secures and/or physically restrains violent and uncontrollable inmates as situations demand.
• Supervises and directs daily activities of inmate workers, including making work assignments, and ensuring proper accomplishments of duties.
• Responds to inquiries from family members, attorneys, and members of the general public regarding visitation and status of individual inmates.
• Prepares and submits to superiors all required reports and summaries of activities according to established Department deadlines.

• Responds to inmate grievances following established chain of command procedures.
• Periodically attends seminars and in-service training, as required.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

3. JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFICULTY OF WORK

• A high school diploma or GED.

• Ability to meet all Department hiring and retention requirements, including not posing a direct threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace. Must successfully complete Indiana Law Enforcement School for Jail Officers or equivalent.
• Knowledge of and ability to follow and make practical application of the customary practices, procedures, rules, regulations and personnel policies of the Department and ability to maintain effective Jail operations.
• Ability to appropriately receive, maintain and account for articles received in evidence.
• Ability to qualify annually by obtaining a passing score in the Handgun Course of Fire, as required by the standards of the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board.
• Knowledge of and ability to effectively use all assigned Department uniforms and/or equipment, including computer terminal and printer, intercom system, radio, telephone, security cameras, and electric locking devices.
• Ability to work irregular and/or extended hours as directed or required.
• Ability to legally operate assigned vehicle.
• Ability to effectively perform the essential duties of the position, including, but not limited to, booking and processing inmates, monitoring Jail operations, walking and standing for extended periods of time, and physically restraining inmates during emergency situations.
• Ability to deal swiftly, rationally, and decisively with potentially violent individuals in precarious situations and perform duties despite the stress of potential injuries and/or loss of life to self and/or others.
• Knowledge of the standard practices and procedures in administering first aid and ability to be certified in CPR.
• Knowledge of Standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to effectively prepare and complete all required forms and reports within established Department deadlines. Ability to maintain confidentiality of Department information and reports.
• Ability to effectively listen, comprehend and communicate with the public, other officials and inmates, by intercom system, radio, telephone or in person.

4. RESPONSIBILITY

• The Jail Officer performs a variety of recurring duties according to standardized Departmental policies and procedures, selecting applicable methods to take authoritative action in response to situational demands. Errors in decision or work are detected by periodic supervisory review and may lead to injury to self, co-workers, inmates, or the public, adverse effects on Department operations, and inconvenience to members of the public.

5. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS

• The Jail Officer maintains frequent contact with Department superiors, offenders detained in the Jail, representatives of other law enforcement departments and agencies, and members of the general public for a variety of purposes, including assisting with coordination of Jail operations, effective and safe housing and processing of inmates, and enforcement of applicable laws. The Jail Officer’s work frequently involves non-routine problem solving to gain cooperation of law offenders in situations that may jeopardize the safety of the public and/or the Jail Officer, including full enforcement of the law.
• The Jail Officer reports directly to the Jail Corporal.

6. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The Jail Officer performs duties in a Jail and in an associated vehicle while transporting inmates. The Jail Officer is frequently exposed to hazards associated with Jail operations, such as violent individuals and communicable disease. No prolonged extreme physical demands are associated with normal duties or assignments, but the Jail Officer may exert strenuous physical effort during emergency situations. The Jail Officer must perform duties despite the stress of potential injuries and/or loss of life to self and/or others.