CITY OF MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA
CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTION
 
CLASSIFICATION TITLE: DETENTION OFFICER
PURPOSE OF CLASSIFICATION
The purpose of this classification is to provide and maintain security, safety, care, and control of inmates, detention facility, and facility equipment and to supervise inmates in the city jail.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Enforces all the rules and regulations of the jail; maintains safety and security of the general public, facility staff, and inmates; takes custody of new arrivals; escorts inmates to various parts of the jail facility.
Receives/processes incoming inmates; explains jail rules, regulations and procedures; searches prisoners, conducts property inventory, and secures personal property; prepares in-processing documentation; makes photographs and fingerprint records of incoming prisoners; obtains NCIC background reports; conducts book-in interviews; answers questions from prisoners.
 
Determines appropriate classification of each inmate according to charges, medical condition, and/or security risk; refers juveniles to a certified Juvenile Officer for further processing; segregates prisoners into proper cells; assigns jail housing; issues clothing, bedding and personal hygiene items.
Monitors inmate activities inside the facility on a continual basis, such as during meals, cleaning activities, visitation, personal hygiene, and related activities; takes and records periodic headcounts of inmates; conducts medical/sick call to distribute medications; controls movements of inmates; transports prisoners to medical facilities statewide, other law enforcement facilities, or other locations as assigned.
 
Coordinates, monitors, or performs various functions associated with ensuring the health, safety and welfare of inmates, which may include preparing/cooking and serving of meals, provision of clothing/bedding, provision of medical aid/supplies, coordination of visitation and telephone communications.
 
Maintains security of facility; performs periodic security checks of facility; monitors video surveillance equipment; checks door locks; controls door operations; conducts emergency fire drills; conducts jail shakedowns; searches inmates, cells, building and ground areas to locate/remove contraband and to maintain security; assists in controlling/restraining violent/unruly prisoners.
 
Supervises inmates attending visitation, during meals, and during medical call; reports unusual observations to superiors; oversees the cleaning of inmates' quarters or cleans cells upon prisoner release.
Monitors base and two-way radio as assigned; responds to prisoner, employee, or facility emergencies by operating fire suppression equipment, administering medications, and providing first-aid and/or CPR when needed.
Conducts release of prisoners per established procedures; prepares out-processing documentation; runs NCIC reports on inmates; releases prisoners upon bonding out, for termination of cases, or for placement on probation.
 
Responds to questions, complaints, and requests for information by telephone or in person from inmates, the general public, court personnel, medical staff, attorneys, clergy, officers, employees, and supervisors.
 
Ensures inmates with special needs received required attention including those with contagious disease, those with suicidal tendencies, handicap/wheelchair assistance, or special medical problems.
Mediates disputes between inmates and/or staff members; counsels and/or disciplines inmates as required.
Conducts NCIC checks on arrestees; enters/retrieves computer data that may include booking cards, prisoner history file, inmate property inventory list, inmate medical information, investigation data, personal and criminal records check, fugitive information, background and history information.
Attends shift meetings, seminars, and training sessions as required to maintain knowledge of departmental and city operations, to promote improved job performance, and to maintain knowledge of changing policies, procedures, codes, and laws.
Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, arrest and booking reports, fingerprint cards, property sheets, medical reports, incident reports, supplemental reports, inmate counts, inmate folders, classification forms, or other documents.
 
Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, NCIC reports, citations, warrants, arrest reports, court orders, visitation requests, medical requests, medical reports, pre-booking forms, cell block reports, jail rosters, laws, ordinances, policies, procedures, rules, regulations, directories, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
 
Communicates with staff of adjoining shifts with supervisor, City employees, inmates, law enforcement officers, visitors, medical providers, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
 
Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures; maintains an awareness of new equipment, procedures, trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; participates in continuing education activities; attends shift meetings, workshops and seminars as appropriate.
 
Operates a variety of standard and specialized equipment and tools associated with work activities, which include a motor vehicle, firearm, chemical weapons, radio/communications equipment, handcuffs, taser, flashlight, electronic door control panel, video surveillance equipment, general office equipment, or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system software.
Prepares inmates for video bond hearings and court, making sure all proper paperwork is completed and handed to the clerk of court office.
Completes SLED mandates DNA swab on inmates that meet the criteria; files paperwork and completes property vouchers for each DNA swab.
Answers emergency and non-emergency calls, enter calls into the Computer-Aided Dispatching (CAD) system, and perform other dispatching tasks within the communication center as needed; answers RDD calls, and Language lines; provides information for non-emergency calls and answers questions, takes messages, and/or refers caller to appropriate staff; contacts various other departments as needed to resolve problems such as streetlights being out, downed street signs, roadway debris, and power outages.
Transports inmates after bond hearings and court dates to and from JRL and other facilities statewide, sometimes multiple times a day.
Performs functions related to live scan/ink printing; files print cards; logs ten-prints from dispatch; crosschecks ten-prints with inmate booking info to confirm identities.
Maintains the doors, batteries, and cleanliness of sally port.
Secures and maintains overflow/large properties from inmates; keeps a log and disposes of property at city dump after 30 day holds.
Keeps an inventory of all jail equipment including tasers, radios, keys, handcuffs, and leg irons.
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS
Performs court services such as assisting with proceedings in juvenile, probation, magistrate, and/or superior courts, providing safety and security, preparing courtroom for use, and maintaining order.
Substitutes for co-workers in temporary absence of same; may be required to regularly work on various shifts, weekends, and/or holidays as deemed necessary; may perform shift supervisor tasks.
May assist with training new Detention Officers assigned to the jail; may instruct classes and demonstrate basic detention/law enforcement methods.
Escorts maintenance workers, pest control and other outside service personnel while in jail; disposes of waste and garbage from mealtime.
Performs traffic control duties and assists with special events.
Provides transport assistance to patrol and specialized units during peak seasons while also providing a police presence and general assistance to the community.
Applies self-defense techniques in controlled and uncontrolled environments.
Assists records division with database maintenance to maintain compliance with state and federal reporting regulations.
Keeps vehicle fleet clean and reports and problems to supervisor and fleet manager.
Performs daily "walk around" of building to ensure doors are secured and trash is picked up.
Performs other related duties as required.

High school diploma or GED; no previous experience required; some public relations experience in a similar jail or law enforcement environment preferred. Must possess and maintain a valid South Carolina driver's license. Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be a U.S. Citizen or resident status. Must pass and maintain the following certifications: NCIC, Basic Jail Officer, Juvenile Specifics, Firearm qualification, basic first-aid and FEMA NIMS Incident Command. Must be trained in CPR. May be required to attain and maintain other certifications as related to assignment.
Complete Credit History is required from one of the three major credit bureaus listed below. We will not accept a credit score in lieu of a full credit report or a credit report from any other company except those listed below. Credit reports are available at no charge from www.annualcreditreport.com. 
Equifax http://www.equifax.com/ 
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
800-685-1111
Experian http://www.experian.com/ 
P.O. Box 2002 
Allen, TX 75013 
800-397-3742
Transunion http://www.transunion.com/ 
P.O. Box 2000 
Chester, PA 19022 
800-888-4213
NOTE: Defaulting on a student loan precludes hiring – SC Code 59-111-50.

City of Myrtle Beach Benefits
No Cost Health, Dental & Vision Insurance for Fulltime Employees401K & 457 Plans AvailableState RetirementEmployee Wellness ClinicFlex Spending AccountEmployee AssistanceAnd much more