Recruit

SUMMARY

The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO), New Orleans, Louisiana, provides the care, custody, control and rehabilitation of its residents in the Orleans Justice Center (OJC). The Mission of the OPSO is to provide community safety and service to the people of Orleans Parish by protecting the rights and humanity of people in custody, supporting the wellness of our staff and facilitating connections to the community in order to restore public trust and maintain a healthy community.

Deputy (Recruit)) works in (Direct Supervision) of the Orleans Justice Center housing unit as an officer who is responsible for supervising inmates, making decisions, solving problems, and managing behavior in the unit within the parameters of OPSO policies and procedures. Deputies are expected to set clear expectations with inmates, use positive reinforcement techniques, hold inmates accountable for their behavior, treat inmates with respect and consideration, be just and fair, manage housing units by walking and talking, identify and address inmate concerns, be a source of information, encourage inmates to take responsibility for themselves, plan and supervise unit activities, develop and measure personal goals for the unit, apply policies and procedures appropriately to achieve unit objectives and effectively communicate among officers on shift, during shift change, with ranking supervisors and other jail staff.  

SALARY

The salary compensation for the Deputy (Recruit) is $18.45 per hour, including bi- weekly payroll disbursements. The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, vision, and life insurance as well as dental coverage and participation in the Louisiana Sheriff’s Pension Fund. Moreover, we offer supplemental insurance coverage through various vendors.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary Job Duties & Responsibilities:

•    Managing the housing unit to ensure a safe and humane environment: Recruiters use observation and communication to maximize compliant inmate behavior and minimize the occurrence of disruptive inmate behavior in the housing unit. Recruits communicate rules and expectations to inmates clearly, and respond immediately to all incidents of inmate misbehavior and emergencies.

•    Handling inmate discipline: Recruits respond fairly and effectively when disciplining inmates for disruptive behavior or rule violations. 

•    Responding to inmate requests: Recruits make every effort to answer inmates and search for the answers even if they are not available in the housing unit. Recruits avoid inmate manipulation. 

•    Building positive rapport and personal credibility with inmates: Recruits create an environment of mutual respect by demonstrating consistency and a courteous manner and by following through on commitments made to inmates (e.g.: finding answers to questions an inmate has asked).. 

•    Supervising in a clear, well-organized, and attention-getting manner: Recruits effectively organize, supervise, and encourage inmates by ensuring inmates are provided with opportunities for informal activities, speaking with inmates throughout the day, and observing the housing unit while making rounds and spending time away from the desk. 

•    Resolving inmate problems and conflicts: Recruits provide problem-solving guidance for inmates, recognize the steps in resolving inmate conflicts, and manage the behavior of inmates involved in confrontational situations. 

•    Maintaining effective administration and staff relations: Recruiters know facility rules, policies and procedures and apply them consistently, coordinate activities with coworkers, support the authority of staff members, and communicate with supervisors and other administrators.

•    Communicates with inmates, giving information and directions, mediating disputes, and advising inmates of rights and processes

•    Listens to inmates' complaints; and resolves inmates' conflicts and problems.

Observes and reports on inmate behavior, and enforces rules and regulations in maintaining custody of inmates.

•    Observe inmates' demeanor to determine mental state and possible need for treatment and/or closer observation.  

•    Reviews logs and reports from previous shift; maintains knowledge of inmate population, and cell assignments.

•    Prepares various reports and logs, utilizing department computers and programs.  

•    Controls inmate movement in the facility through control of doors and elevators.

•    Monitors locations of medical and counseling staff to ensure their safety.  

•    Supervises inmate visitation; assists visitors; inspects items brought to the facility for inmates; and screens and monitors persons seeking access to secure areas within the facility.  

Requirements, Skills and Ability:

•    High School Diploma, or General Educational Development (GED) Diploma.

   Other education, experience, skills, etc.:    

•   Ability to respond quickly and effectively in various situations

•    Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all organizational levels, inmates, and the public.

•    Ability to exercise fair and impartial judgment in dealing with people of varied age, sex, and ethnic groups.

•    Ability to work under stress.

•    Ability to read and interpret materials as needed when reading federal and state laws and City and Parish and other municipal ordinances.

•    Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in English, verbally and in writing.

•    Ability to prepare routine and special reports and projects as assigned.

•    Ability to work well with varied and demanding people.

•    Ability to work from broad direction with limited supervision.

•    Ability to work well with culturally diverse people.

•    Ability to clearly and logically organize information.  

•    Ability to identify, analyze, and address problems and trends in a timely, efficient, and equitable manner.

•    Ability to organize activities in order to complete tasks in accordance with priorities and address multiple demands, or meet deadlines.

•    Ability to focus attention on complex, routine and/or repetitive tasks, without losing concentration or being distracted by external activities.

•    Ability to adapt to interruptions, equipment failures, unusual demands, or changing priorities; handle confidential information; and coordinate, analyze and utilize a variety of reports and records.

Equipment used regularly:

•    Utilizes computer equipment and programs, to include data entry equipment and various database programs to enter, store and/or retrieve information on inmates, computerized electronic security equipment, touch screen and manual control panels, intercoms, CCTV and electronic recording equipment to oversee the security of the facility.

•    Radios

•    Telephones

CERTIFICATION and LICENSES:     

•    Minimum age: 20 years of age

•    Valid driver’s license. 

•    Successful completion of POST basic training academy.

Job-related environmental factors: The employee routinely works in an indoor environment, but will occasionally work in outdoor weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic