GENERAL SUMMARY

Perform security duties maintaining order and physical custody of inmates in a jail system or courthouse complex. Responsible for the care, custody, and control of persons to include; releasing inmates, maintaining security of the facility, and escorting inmates within and/or outside the secure confines of the jail. Duties may also include instructing members in confinement, care, custody and restraint, when necessary, of inmates and in other routine and specialized work as directed or by assignment. Member must also exercise tact, courtesy and self-control in performance of duties, and must be able to make decisions calmly and quickly in emergency or hazardous situations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide direct and remote supervision of inmates within housing and other areas of a jail, a courthouse, or secure perimeter as assigned to maintain a safe and secure environment
• Assumes a high level of responsibility for the care and custody of assigned inmates through knowledge of and adherence to laws, regulations, and standard operating procedures governing Johnson County and The State of Texas
• Conduct frequent security checks for evidence of unauthorized activities and infractions of rules, respond to situations, and document accordingly
• Provides custody and security of inmates including observing actions of inmates; performing “pat” or “strip” searches of inmates
• Receive and process inmates from officers and the courts, maintain inmates’ property, and direct inmates throughout the intake process
• Be able to perform necessary searches for contraband, and completes reports
• Observe conduct and behavior of inmates, respond to and control emergency situations, and use appropriate levels of force to control combative, volatile, or hostile inmates
• Documents numerous inmate activities such as, visitation, phone calls, incidents, movement, housing assignments, property, etc.
• Supervise inmates and trustee-inmates work crews
• Conduct head counts to ensure that each inmate is present
• Inspect conditions of locks, window bars, grills, doors, and gates at correctional facilities to ensure security and help prevent escapes
• Searches for contraband and provides security, counts, feeds and supervises inmates in housing
• Supervise the dispensing of food in a timely fashion to inmates, ensuring all health and safety regulations are complied with
• Receives and reviews paperwork associated with incarceration to ensure accurate completion; notarizes affidavits from the arresting officer; obtains information from inmate and paperwork (warrant, writ, detainer, etc.) and makes appropriate computer entries; including local and out of county charges
• Must be able to obtain TLETS certification. Checks for any outstanding warrants using the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS) computer and confirms with out-of-county agencies that have warrants through TLETS, run Criminal Histories through TLETS for classification officer. Process Emergency Protective Orders, Interlock, and Conditions of Bonds when ordered by the judge.
• Prepares bail bonds (e.g. probable cause misdemeanors, pre-indictments, Class C, cash bonds, fugitive fines, and civil) and fees associated with each for releasing prisoners from custody.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor
• Promotes facility cleanliness and reports need for maintenance and/or repairs.
• Observe suicidal persons and respond to suicidal attempts and medical emergencies; perform life saving measures
• Handle intoxicated persons and or inmates under influence of drugs or other substances.
• Respond to fire alarms/fight fires and evacuate prisoners in a safe secure manner.
• Regular attendance and timeliness are required

OTHER POTENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• May also include supervisory duties, which would require the ability to follow chain of command
• Supervise and direct searches for contraband and provide security; court, feed, and supervise inmates in housing, work and other areas accessed by stairs, steps, and ladders; and perform security of various assigned areas involving long periods of sitting and standing, and climbing stairs, steps, and ladders to reach the assigned areas.
• Plan, organize, and coordinate the work of detention personnel and support staff; ensure personnel are trained on and follow proper security procedures, established policies, regulations, and guidelines relative to the operation of the facility, and recommend personnel actions as appropriate to provide for an effective working environment
• Interpret, enforce, and answer inquiries pertaining to institution rules of conduct, investigate incidents of inmate misconduct, determine the necessity and scope of discipline required and prepare and edit required reports
• Oversees operation of jail facility by seeing that inmate’s needs are provided in a timely and safe manner and in accordance with TCJS, coordinating processing, housing, and transportation, and providing first line resolution of inmate and personnel problems

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER: The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Required:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Be able to obtain a TCOLE Jailer’s License within the required time frame as specified by TCOLE

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES

Required:

• Current and valid TX driver’s license and a safe driving record
• Applicant must be 18 years of age on /or before date of hire
• Ability to work in a hostile environment of inmates and their visitors without reacting in a negative manner and project a professional image at all times
• Exceptional skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with County staff, inmates, police departments and the public
• General knowledge of basic hardware and software and uses of a variety of different computer operating systems such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals
• Must also possess excellent physical assessment skills and be able to make sound judgment decision
• Ability to supervise emergency situations, make effective decisions under stressful situations, and direct the use of physical force necessary to protect oneself and others
• Keen attention to detail; careful and accurate data entry
• Must be able to pass qualification exam

Preferred:

• Working knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of modern inmate care, custody, and control, and related state, federal, and department laws, rules, regulations, standards, and policies governing the operation of detention facilities
• Working knowledge of local, state, and federal laws governing the criminal justice system
• Working knowledge of how to search for and recognize contraband and weapons

DISCLAIMER: Johnson County will conduct background checks on new hires that will include a criminal background check related to convictions and deferred adjudications in the past 10 years and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records, and educational attainment. A conviction or deferred adjudication is not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered individually.

Disqualifiers:

• Undesirable character or reputation
• A felony conviction or felony deferred adjudication against the laws of this state, another state, or the United States
• Conviction including court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of Class B Misdemeanor, or a Class B Misdemeanor within the last 10 years
• Currently under indictment for any criminal offense
• Conviction, guilty plea, or probation for any family violence offense
• Discharge from any military service under less than honorable conditions, or any other characterizations of service indicating bad character

ALL EMPLOYEES

• Must be committed to achieving excellence in assigned duties, always in service of the county and community
• Must have ability to earn and keep the trust of fellow employees and the community at large
• Must be approachable and ready to help fellow employees and the general public

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

• Contact with “at risk” clients and persons accused or adjudicated of misdemeanor and felony offenses, visitors and general public
• Work is performed indoors and outdoors in a 24-hour/7-day confined, security facility
• Significant contact with the public, elected officials, department heads, and other County employees
• The work characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
• This position has been identified with possible risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens and/or various hazards that require immunization against such exposure.

PHYSICAL DEMAND REQUIREMENTS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear
• The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to find, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel and climb stairs
• Performing the essential functions typically requires exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly.

HOURS / SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Must be willing to work overtime, weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, evenings and nights. Must be able to work 12 hour shifts.

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Johnson County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.