Detention Center Program Coordinator

The Detention Center Program Coordinator is a protective service employee (PREA Coordinator) responsible for planning, implementing, and coordinating mandatory and discretionary programs in accordance with the procedures established by the Detention Center Administrator, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Minnesota Department of Corrections and the Prison Rape Elimination Act’s mandatory requirements and statutes that address religious, social, recreational, educational, vocation and safety needs of inmates/ detainees.

Duties and Responsibilities
• Researches, develops, implements, coordinates, administers, monitors, and evaluates the delivery of operations of established programs designed to meet the religious, social, recreational, educational, safety, counseling, chemical dependents and vocational need of inmates/detainees.
• Assesses the needs of inmates to determine the need for new programs or services.
• Evaluates existing programs or services provided to inmates to assess their effectiveness or to determine the need to continue or revise the programs and services being delivered.
• Recruits, trains, and supervises qualified volunteers from the community to facilitate, deliver, or participate in programs.
• Counsels detainees/ inmates on re-entry issues.
• Serves as Prison Rape Elimination Act Coordinator.
• Responsible for determining eligibility and recruitment of jail inmates to participate in STS and the Workforce “Pathway Home” project .
• Responsible for religious holiday planning to include religious diets and accommodations.
• Coordinates services and communicates with probation/parole agents, courts, attorneys, case managers, Veterans Affairs Office, and other local agencies to ensure the needs and obligations of the inmates/detainees are met and communicated.
• Coordinates with chemical dependency assessments with county and local agencies, while assisting the detainee with the application and intake process for chemical and mental health treatment.
• Maintains and Supervises work release (Huber) programs monitoring and enforcing conditions, schedules, payments, and performance.
• Conducts work site checks and holds inmates accountable.
• Documents and maintains all records that are required and associated with the work release program.
• Coordinates and supervises STS, in-house STS, and assist with the Trustee programs by monitoring and enforcing conditions, schedules, payments, and performance.
• Documents and maintains all records associated with programs and services.
• Attends/ hosts various meetings, conferences and/or workshops.
              o Attends professional jail programming meetings and workshops with other county jails to stay abreast of current programming developments/ opportunities.                   o Attends annual and semi-annual Minnesota Jail Programs.
              o Works with District 6 counties and Jail Programmers around the state.
              o Collaborates with other counties on grant writing.
• Serves as jail liaison to court, probation, Immigration Customs and Enforcement, outside agencies, the general public and other County staff.
              o Coordinates phone calls and meetings.
              o Coordinates services and communicates with probation/parole agents, courts, attorneys, case managers, chemical dependency assessors, treatments centers, and other local agencies to ensure the needs and obligations of the inmates/ detainees are met and communicated.
              o Coordinates with chemical dependency assessments with county and local
agencies, while assisting the detainee with the application and intake process for chemical and mental health treatment.
              o Responsible for scheduling release and transportation of detainees/ inmates to treatment centers.
              o Reviews probation agreements, violations and re-structures with detainees/ inmates and facilitates the signing and return of documents.
• Maintains and updates Detention Center records and files reporting the programs provided, participation rates, activities provided, and other data required by the MN Department of Corrections and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
              o Serves as a Point of Conduct for Veterans in the jail.
              o Makes referrals to Veterans Affairs and Veterans Service Officer to establish Veteran benefits and referrals to Veteran Court if applicable.
• Performs other duties as assigned to include conducting urine samples, pat downs, change outs, escorts and transportation of inmates/ detainees, as needed.
• Maintains and updates the Law Library to contain materials required by MN Department of Corrections and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
• Maintains order, safety and security while supervising detainees/ inmates.

While these are the primary focus of the position, we believe strongly in teamwork and employees will be called upon to perform a variety of duties as part of their role with the County.

Position Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to type, photograph, fingerprint and teach those skills to others.
• Knowledge of County Detention Center regulations and general aptitude for dealing with prisoners.
• Knowledge of first aid and skilled in its application.
• Knowledge of the custodial care and rights of prisoners.
• Knowledge of applicable state and federal laws, regulations, programs and services relating to the Detention Center.
• Knowledge of Data Privacy laws.
• Considerable skills in effective oral and written communication and maintain frequent interaction with others.
• Ability to handle fairly standard procedures and tasks where basic analytical ability is required.
• Ability to use detailed guidelines and procedures to generally prescribe procedures.                                                                                                                                                         • Work complexity requires application of a variety of procedures, policies and/or precedents and moderate analytical ability in adapting standard methods.

Education and Experience
• Requires associate degree.
• One to three years of experience.

Licenses/Certifications
This position will require the acquisition and maintenance of the following additional certificates/licenses:
• Defensive Tactics
• Taser
• Use of Force
• PREA
• Medical Training
• Chemical Spray
• First Aid/CPR certification

Equipment and Tools Responsibilities
• Intermittently operates transport van and County vehicles.
• Operates office equipment and video equipment.
• Continuously carries taser, chemical spray, baton, radio and duty belt.

Physical and Mental Requirements
This job typically requires: sitting, standing, walking, feeling, manual dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, typing, and seeing. This position may encounter stress and pressure from dealing with emotional issues and conflicts. This position may experience threats of trauma, or assault and offensive language. This position is exposed to airborne particles and bloodborne pathogens. This position may experience the inability to leave work station. There is exposure to computer keyboards and video screens. This position is generally light-duty and may require the exertion up to 20 pounds of force and intermittently ability to lift, carry, push, pull and move objects over 60 pounds.

The physical demands described here are representative to those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable
accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions
Work is performed in an office environment. There may be travel required to other facilities, meetings training, etc.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Competencies Common to All County Positions
• Develop, maintain a thorough working knowledge of, and comply with all office and applicable County policies and procedures.
• Demonstration by personal example the spirit of service, excellence, and integrity expected from all staff.
• Develop respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including willing assistance to newer staff so job responsibilities can be performed with confidence as quickly as possible.
• Confer regularly with and keep immediate supervisor informed of all important matters which pertain to the applicable job functions and responsibilities.
• Represent Freeborn County in a professional manner to the public, outside contacts and constituencies.

*****Completed applications along with cover letter and resume are due by 12:00 PM Friday, December 5th, 2025.

Starting salary $26.02 per hour. *****

Salary : $26