Corrections Officer

POSITION DESCRIPTION COUNTY OF STEUBEN, INDIANA

POSITION:                           Corrections Officer

DEPARTMENT:                  Community Corrections 

JOB CATEGORY:               POLE (Protective Occupations, Law Enforcement)

STATUS: Full-time

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Steuben County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job, unless those accommodations would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Corrections Officer for Northeast Indiana Community Corrections Department, responsible for maintaining security of correctional facility and detailed logs.

DUTIES:

Maintains security of correctional facility, including conducting security checks/walk-throughs, monitoring security cameras and closed-circuit television system, maintaining communication equipment, receiving security or fire alarms, monitoring participant activity and behavior, and reporting all unusual and unruly activity.

Maintains detailed logs of Work Release participants’ whereabouts, including maintaining and updating schedules for participants. Escorts detainees to and from Work Release facility.

Performs new detainee intake, including searching of detainees.

Documents and processes all violations. Conducts drug screening and maintains records. Assists in preparing various reports, including statistical reports as required.

Maintains log of shift events and conduct, with thorough pass-down at shift change.

Performs various clerical duties, including reporting messages of significance to appropriate staff, tracking of Department equipment, assisting with office needs as directed, and keeping current on legislative amendments.

Redirects anti-social attitudes and beliefs and affirms pro-social attitudes and beliefs. Testifies in legal proceedings or court as required.

Attends work release team meetings.

Performs related duties as assigned.

I.      JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

High school diploma or HSE, with experience working with program participants, and/or Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement experience preferred.

Ability to meet all hiring and retention requirements, including passage of a background check. Must not have prior felony arrests and/or convictions.

Working knowledge of correctional facility operations and security with ability to make practical applications of customary practices, follow standard Department policies and practices and apply and adapt procedures as cases demand.

Working knowledge of standard office policies and procedures with computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheet, email, internet, and Department-specific software systems, and ability to apply such knowledge to a variety of interrelated processes, tasks, and operations.

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and ability to prepare correspondence and reports.

Working knowledge of standard filing systems and ability to create and maintain accurate and organized files and records.

Working knowledge of radio frequencies, codes, procedures, and limitations and ability to speak clearly and distinctly, hear and be understood when communicating in person, by radio, or by telephone.

Ability to properly operate standard office equipment, including computer, printer, and telephone.

Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written and oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form.

Shall comply with all employer and Department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of Department information and records according to State requirements.

Ability to effectively listen, comprehend, and communicate orally and in writing with co- workers, other County departments, program participants, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.

Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment, work on several tasks at the same time, work rapidly for long periods, occasionally under time pressure and amidst frequent distractions and interruptions.

II.      RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent performs correctional duties according to established department policies and procedures, making decisions and taking authoritative action in response to situational demands. Assignments follow standard operating procedures or policy and procedural manuals. Errors in decision or work may be detected or prevented through legally defined procedures and procedural safeguards. Undetected errors could result in endangerment to others and/or inconvenience to other agencies or the public.

III.      PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent communication with co-workers, other County departments, program participants, and the public, for the purpose of exchanging information and rendering service.

Incumbent reports directly to Corrections Shift Lead/Corporal/Sergeant.

IV.      PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs duties in a correctional facility, involving sitting/walking at will, sitting for long periods, keyboarding, lifting/carrying objects weighing less than 25 pounds, close/far vision, handling/grasping/fingering objects, speaking clearly, and hearing sounds/communication. In performance of duties incumbent may be exposed to violent/irate individuals.