Houston County is currently seeking qualified applicants for the full-time position of Jail Administrator. This position is responsible for managing the operations of the County correctional facility and dispatch center under the direction of the County Sheriff and within the scope of MN DOC rules and guidelines and supervises all jail/dispatch center staff.
Current salary range for this exempt position is $68,473.60 - $90,126.40 annually, plus benefits. Please see below for application instructions.
Position Purpose
Reporting to the Sheriff, the Jail Administrator directs the operations of the County correctional facility to ensure public safety and provide for acceptable standards of care and rehabilitative programs for inmates. This position also performs related work as required.
 
Distinguishing Characteristics
The Jail Administrator performs a majority of the work independently but within established guidelines and policies of the Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota Department of Corrections. Strong interpersonal and organizational skills are critical for the effective oversight of essential services and public safety. The Houston County Jail may house male and female adult and juvenile populations. The Jail Administrator may be called to work outside of regular office hours.

1. Manage Jail Facility Establishes, prioritizes and provides for the resources necessary to attain the County's correctional objectives which are congruent with the Department of Corrections overall goals. This is accomplished through a review of the cost of staffing, equipment and operations; and authorizing necessary adjustments Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the programmatic, administrative and operational functions of the correctional facility. This is achieved by reviewing treatment, social, vocational and educational programs with respect to goals/results and available resources Ensure that the provision of equipment, materials, and supplies are sufficient to meet all security and programming requirements Oversee Huber Program Verify employment eligible for Huber/work release. Collects Huber and pay for stay fees from inmates; submits unpaid fees for collections Work with the County Attorney’s Office, Probation Office, and the courts in providing a safe and appropriate Sentence to Serve program Oversee inmate escort and transport; between correctional facilities, court, treatment facilities and hospitals  Establish and direct security/custody procedures sufficient to provide for public safety and a secure, humane environment for inmates Assist the Sheriff and Chief Deputy in implementing office policies and reviewing them as needed or required. Ensure valid and correct inmate information is sent to other agencies including inmate fingerprints are correctly submitted to BCA and FBI	65%
2. Supervise transport officers and jail staff Hiring and Orientation Training Provide staff with necessary program training and training on agency policies/procedures Ensure appropriate staffing schedules, approve vacation and other leaves; authorize overtime, as needed  Schedule and assign inmate transports to the Transport Officers. Review time cards for accuracy and approve timecards for Jailers and Jail Sergeants  Analyze training needs, identify and arrange for relevant professional development and OSHA compliance  Direction/Oversight Plan, direct and coordinate work activities of Jail staff Ensure staff is compliant with all operational SOPs and all relevant statutes, rules, regulations  Resolve personnel problems and concerns as they arise Performance Evaluations	20%
3. Budget  Work with Chief Deputy and Sheriff to develop and implement the Jail annual budget  Monitor the Jail budget; apprise the Sheriff or Chief Deputy of deviations and justifications; recommend options	10%
4. Miscellaneous Perform all duties inherent to this position including attending community meetings and making public presentations regarding the correctional facility; meet with elected officials and members of the legislature upon request Attend professional association meetings Act on behalf of the Sheriff as directed Other responsibilities and duties as assigned	5%

Employment Standards
Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Science from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, corrections, or closely related field 
• Four years of experience as a Jailer/Dispatcher or corrections officer
• Two years of experience in a supervisory or lead position in a jail

-OR-

• AA degree from an accredited college in criminal justice, corrections, or related field
• Six years of experience as a Jailer/Dispatcher or corrections officer
• Two years of experience in a supervisory or lead position in a jail

-OR-

• High school diploma or equivalent
• A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the employment standards listed above 

-AND-

• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license

Post-Employment Certification

• Certified First Aid/CPR

Preferred Criteria/Experience
N/A

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of MN DOC policies for county jail facilities
• Strong knowledge of contemporary law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques and equipment 
• Strong working knowledge of correctional philosophy and practices/procedures so as to direct all integrated functions within the facility
• Ability to exhibit sound judgment, imagination, initiative and problem-solving when dealing with inmates, employees, law enforcement, other agencies and the public
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with inmates, employees, peers, superiors, law enforcement and other agencies and the public
• Possesses human relations sufficient to gain respect and confidence of subordinates and inmates to establish effective working relationships and can effectively communicate orally and in writing with individuals from a wide variety of socio-economic, ethnic, educational, and ethical backgrounds to achieve the mission of the facility
• Ability to act effectively in emergency and stressful situations and communicate verbally sufficient to de-escalate violent behavior and dangerous situations
• Working knowledge of the principles and practices used in the custody and control of inmates as well as security procedures and practices sufficient to take control in a hostile, aggressive or emergency situations including physical restraint methods sufficient to separate inmates
• Working knowledge of inmate rights and privileges sufficient to ensure that staff interaction with inmates complies with facility policy
• An understanding of individual or group dynamics sufficient to recognize suspicious or inappropriate behaviors by inmates
• An understanding of the types of contraband and common hiding places sufficient to identify and confiscate illegal substances
• Security techniques and procedures sufficient to evaluate and provide instruction in conducting accurate inmate counts, search for contraband, direct or coordinate shakedowns, monitor inmate movement and inspect buildings and grounds
• Ability to judge and apply use of force as may be necessary and appropriate
• Possess a working knowledge of the job duties of a jailer, jail sergeant, and Transport officer. 
• Ability to monitor and direct staff in the use of force sufficient to take control of inmates in an emergency situation and to instruct staff in tactical responses and methods of responding to the emergency situations
• Ability to read, understand and effectively explain policies, rules and regulations to direct and counsel staff and inmates on policies, rules and regulations
• Ability to coordinate activities and direct and encourage appropriate conduct. Enforce all rules and regulations with fairness, firmness and tact
• Working knowledge of management principles and practices sufficient to direct change and growth with subordinate staff
• Working knowledge of systems and equipment that is typical to a jail including; computer security systems, cameras, recording equipment, monitors, fire and smoke alarm systems, intercoms, radios, telephones and all door operating systems
• Solid understanding of fiscal management principles and procedures sufficient to develop and present budgets which will adequately meet all the requirements of the facility and meet office development goals
• Ability to analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
• Write/type sufficient to prepare narrative incident reports describing inappropriate inmate/staff behaviors/activities

Post-Employment

• Strong working knowledge of Houston County and Houston County Sheriff’s Office policies sufficient to serve as role model and provide direction to other staff
• Personnel principles and practices sufficient to effectively respond to labor concerns/grievances and authorize/direct investigations

Persons with Disabilities
The above is a general listing of job duties. Essential and non-essential functions may vary by individual position. Reasonable accommodations may be available for both essential and non-essential job duties.
In compliance w/ the Americans with Disabilities Act the following represents the Physical/Environmental Demands

FUNCTION	N/A	<25%	25% - 49%	50% - 74%	>74%
Office Environment	X
Sitting	X
Standing, Walking	X
Hand Dexterity - Simultaneous/ Repetitive Hand Movements	X
Typing/Data Entry	X
Close Vision (Near Acuity)	X
Distance Vision (Far Acuity)	X
Color Vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)		X
Accommodation (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus)	X
Hearing/Speech	X
Sedentary (Exert up to 10 lbs of force)	X
Light (Exert up to 20 pounds of force)	X
Lifting, carrying or pushing of objects up to twenty-five (25) pounds	X
Lifting, carrying or pushing of objects up to fifty (50) pounds	X
Lifting or pushing of objects over fifty (50) pounds	X
Adverse movements such as overhead, bending, reaching	X

 
NOTICE 
Status: Exempt - Administrative
Job Category: Protective services
Labor Group: MAPE
Band: C43
Last reviewed: 01.2006, 09.2020; 09.2021; 04.2024
TO APPLY: Submit your online application to Houston County by 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 29, 2024, by clicking the green "APPLY" button on this page. Please attach a cover letter and copies of any applicable licenses/certifications to your application file.
If special accommodations are needed to complete this application for employment, please contact the Houston County Personnel Department at 507.725.5822.