Detention Officer Hourly Pay:  $17.00

Schedule:

Days and Hours Vary 

Definition:  Under general supervision, plans and performs a wide range of detention duties to insure the proper booking and incarceration and safety of persons committed to the Detention Center.

Essential Functions:    (Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may vary among positions, but may include the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, skills and other characteristics.  This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and not intended to be a comprehensive listing of tasks performed by all positions in the classification.)

Tasks:

• Enters booking information into system.
• Works from training education, instructions, directions of supervisor, and overall policy to receive and detain incarcerated persons.
• Processes incoming prisoners by completing booking sheets, personal history, medical screening, and other essential data to the proper care and incarceration of the prisoner.
• Performs fingerprinting and photographing of prisoners.
• Inspects detention center and jail cells to insure cleanliness and orderliness.  Records any pertinent conditions during periodic patrols.
• Sees that new prisoners receive clothing, and responds to additional personal needs in accordance with policies.
• Prepares and serves meals for inmates.
• Escorts prisoners to and from court and other appearances.
• Escorts inmates to various sections of facility as needed.
• Coordinates and cooperates with other law enforcement agencies and judiciary agencies as necessary.
• Assists in processing various bills and documents and assists in bonding.  Records all monies and personal items for storage.
• Completed appropriate documentation, and enters information into computer.
• Obtains required signature from inmates for personal items.
• Deals with verbal and physical abuse from inmates.
• Searches inmates and their cells and restrains inmates when necessary.
• Performs a variety of cleaning and maintenance work, including: sweeping, scrubbing floors, sanitizing restroom facilities, and doing laundry.
• Employee must perform all duties with minimal supervision. 
• Employee will be required to work irregular hours, attend job-related meetings, and perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills and Other Characteristics:

• Knowledge of Detention Center operating rules, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Knowledge of prisoner escort practices and techniques.
• Knowledge of procedures and practices for posting bond.
• Knowledge of general criminal justice identification techniques, including finger printing and photography.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with department staff, and other law enforcement agency staff and the public.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions, guidelines, and procedures.
• Ability to understand a variety of rules, regulations and policies.
• Skill in performing a variety of technical law enforcement activities including finger printing.
• Skill in checking a variety of forms and agreements to identify discrepancies and errors.
• Ability to follow directions and orders.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in English.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or G.E.D. certificate.

• Must be at least 21 years old.

• Favorable background and criminal history investigation.
• Must be of good moral character.
• No felony convictions.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Class D driver’s license issued by the State of New Mexico and have a satisfactory driving record (No Driving While Intoxicated convictions for previous seven years). 
• Applicant must pass a rigid background check.  (Applicant cannot have been convicted of any felonies; or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude).  
• Applicant must pass a post-offer pre-employment physical and psychological test prior to employment.
• Prior detention officer experience preferred.
• Computer experience preferred. 

Physical Functions:

• Ability to buddy carry an inmate in case of emergency. 
• Must be able to physically restrain an inmate when necessary.
• Must be able to assist a disabled inmate in showering and other needs.
• Ability to lift up to sixty pounds from ground to waist level approximately twice daily.
• Ability to stand and walk up to four hours at one time, and eight hours total per day.
• Ability to sit for up to four hours at one time.
• Ability to crouch and kneel up to five minutes at one time, and one-half hour total per day.
• Ability to bend at waist for up to five minutes at one time, and one-half hour total per day.
• Ability to carry approximately eight pounds on waist all day.
• Ability to operate foot controls up to one-third of workday.
• Ability to push/pull a disabled inmate in a wheelchair.
• Ability to use hands and fingers to grasp and manipulate objects, sometimes in a bilaterally coordinated manner.

• Must have vision correctable to 20/20.

Working Conditions:

• Both indoors and outdoors. Outdoor duty is required during transport and with trustees working away for center.
• Indoor duty performed in a controlled temperature environment.  However, may be exposed to natural weather conditions while on outdoor duty.
• Worker is exposed to poor ventilation due to enclosed conditions.  May be exposed to unpleasant odors resulting from poor personal hygiene of inmates.
• Performs work on flat, hard surfaces. 
• Performs work mainly while alone.  In addition, may work with one or two other people while on booking duty.
• Employee may be exposed to the following hazardous conditions:  Constantly subjected to injury, death, or hostage situations; exposed at times to infectious diseases carried by inmates; constant high level of mental and emotional stress.

Equipment, Tools, and Materials:

• Computer
• Typewriter
• Adding machine
• Telephone
• Copy machine.
• Radio equipment.
• Handcuffs
• Handgun.
• First aid equipment
• Rubber Gloves
• Flashlight
• Mop
• Broom
• Cleaning supplies and chemicals