Corrections Officer - Jail

Job description

Location: 18100 Cumberland Road - Noblesville, Indiana, 46060 Hamilton County is one of Indiana’s fastest growing, highest educated and wealthiest counties in the state and the Midwest. Two-thirds of the workforce lives and works in the county -- a percent that has remained constant since 2010. Hamilton County is continually recognized in rankings ranging from “Best Cities to Relocate To” and “Best City to Raise a Family” to “Healthiest County in Indiana” and “Happiest Suburbs in the Nation”. Come be a part of all Hamilton County has to offer as we work together to serve the citizens of Hamilton County. Job Description: POSITION DESCRIPTION COUNTY OF HAMILTON, INDIANA POSITION: Corrections Officer DEPARTMENT: Jail WORK SCHEDULE: As assigned STATUS: Full-Time FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt HOURLY RATE: $28.8462 per hour To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Incumbent serves as Corrections Officer for the Sheriff, responsible for maintaining security and order in the jail, government and judicial center, and transporting inmates to/from these and other facilities. DUTIES : A corrections officer for the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office may be assigned to one or more of the following facilities or roles to require the duties outlined in this section: government and judicial center, jail, historic courthouse and transport. Maintains security of jail, government and judicial center and historic courthouse, monitoring activities throughout facility including monitoring surveillance cameras, door controls, meals and visitors, and conducting patrols in and outside of these facilities. Maintains accurate accounting of all inmates. Performs booking procedures of individuals being detained, including photographing/video taping, fingerprinting, entering information on computer, receiving and accounting for money and personal property, and ensuring inmates are properly showered, changed into jail clothing, and searched for weapons and other contraband. Do periodic checks of the county parking lots to check security and issue citations for improper parking. Performs duties in control room as assigned, including monitoring alarms and many closed-circuit cameras throughout facility; coordinating with jail, Prosecuting Attorney, and court personnel regarding transporting inmates for appearance; dispatching other Corrections Officer/Courthouse Security personnel to assignments and periodic emergencies; answering telephone and providing information and assistance as requested. Periodically uses intercom to notify all building personnel of emergencies, such as bomb threats or severe weather. Monitors activities throughout facility and in courtroom during legal proceedings as assigned, including conducting foot patrol and searching facility as needed; conducting sobriety tests as needed; pursuing/apprehending/searching suspects/arrestee, and seizing weapons and/or contraband; escorting inmates, witnesses, and/or jurors to/from courtroom and building; mediating citizen disputes and solving problems; and examining firearms used as evidence in court proceedings to ensure safety of court personnel and the public. Occasionally responds to emergency security and medical calls. Performs bonding procedures, including completing required forms, ensuring documentation is correct, receiving and receipting bond money, returning personal belongings, and releasing inmates. Escorts inmates to/from recreation, visitation, library, court, medical, programs, and meetings. Issues/monitors prescribed medications according to physician's orders, and ensures inmates receive proper medical attention as needed. Receives/distributes, examines and logs incoming/outgoing mail and personal items for inmates. If serving as member of Special Emergency Response Team (SERT), conducts routine cell block security checks for contraband in all cells and dormitories, and prepares written report of findings. If not on SERT, may occasionally perform emergency "shakedowns" as appropriate. Ensures compliance with facility rules and regulations and records and reports inappropriate behavior to appropriate department personnel. Properly secures and/or physically restrains violent and uncontrollable inmates as situations demand. May supervise and direct activities of jail inmate workers, such as serving meals and doing laundry, including making work assignments and ensuring proper accomplishment of duties. Retrieves IDACS information as needed and maintains various records on logs and/or computer. Types case/incident reports and enters data on computer as required. Prepares and submits required reports according to department deadlines. Answers telephone and greets visitors as assigned, including providing information and assistance, taking messages or directing to appropriate individual or department, and occasionally giving tours. Responds to inquiries regarding individual inmates and jail activities. May be given special assignments, such as operating commissary, including collecting orders and receiving/recording inmate cash and purchases. Serves various legal documents as assigned, such as summonses, court orders to appear, arrest warrants, body attachments, and notices of hearings, and delivers returned documents to appropriate individuals/departments as required. Maintains appearance and serviceability of all issued and/or required vehicles, equipment, uniforms, and weapons. Transports jail inmates to/from various locations, such as courts, medical appointments, Department of Corrections (DOC), and other detention facilities, including communicating/coordinating with other law enforcement agencies, courts and related departments to coordinate transport activity and failures to appear; searching inmates and facilities, and seizing weapons and/or contraband; ensuring medical information/documents are forwarded to jail nurse as appropriate. Transports jail inmates to/from other jurisdictions/states for extradition as assigned. Transports juveniles to various locations, such as treatment centers and GED test sites, and periodically transports individuals to mental health or other care facilities as ordered by court. Periodically investigates complaints from courthouse personnel and the public. Periodically assists with elections by providing security and picking up and delivering absentee ballots to precincts. Periodically responds to inmate grievances following established chain of command procedures. Performs related duties as assigned. I. JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFICULTY OF WORK : High school diploma or GED and corrections officer certification from Indiana Law Enforcement Academy within time specified by department. Ability to meet all department hiring and retention requirements, including not posing a direct threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace. Ability to obtain a passing score in the Handgun Course of Fire, as required by Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board standards, if issued a firearm. Ability to meet and maintain all state and department required training and certifications. Working knowledge of and ability to apply standard practices and procedures in CPR and first aid. Working knowledge of universal health precautions, and ability to apply such knowledge in the field to protect oneself and others from infection. Ability to properly use and maintain assigned vehicles, equipment, uniforms, and weapons, including but not limited to, computer, printer, calculator, cameras, intercom, alarm panels, fingerprint equipment, metal detector, defibrillator, two-way radio, telephone, surveillance/monitoring cameras, restraint devices, O.C./pepper spray, baton, breathalyzer, breathing apparatus, TASER, and handgun. Ability to deal swiftly, rationally, and decisively with potentially violent individuals in precarious situations, and perform duties despite the stress of potential injuries and/or loss of life to self and/or others. Ability to de-escalate volatile situations by means of conversation/negotiation and use physical force as situations demand. Ability to work on several tasks at the same time, often under time pressure, and complete assignments effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions. Possession of a valid driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record. Working knowledge of and ability to follow and make practical application of customary practices, procedures, rules, regulations, personnel policies, and work rules of the employer/department, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct. Ability to obey all written and oral orders/directives from department superiors, and appropriately respond to constructive criticism. Ability to receive, secure, and account for money and personal belongings of inmates, the county, other law enforcement agencies and the public. Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare required forms and reports within department deadlines. Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information/records according to state requirements. Ability to effectively listen, comprehend and communicate with co-workers, other county departments, inmates and their family members, other law enforcement agencies, Department of Corrections, and the public by intercom, radio, telephone, in person, or in writing, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities. Ability to work alone and with others in a team environment with minimum supervision, and maintain appropriate, respectful interrelationships with co-workers. Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons. Ability to physically perform the essential duties of the position. Ability to regularly work weekend and/or evening hours, and occasionally work extended and/or irregular hours. Ability to occasionally travel out of town to transport inmates, sometimes overnight. Ability to serve on 24-hour call and respond swiftly, rationally, and decisively to emergencies. As a result of the duties associated with this job, there is the potential of becoming exposed to blood borne pathogens and other potentially infectious diseases. To safeguard employees and eliminate the liability placed on Hamilton County, employees working in this position shall begin the three shot Hepatitis B vaccination and subsequent training within 10 days of their initial job assignment per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030(f)(2)(i). The initial and two subsequent vaccinations shall be administered by the Hamilton County Health Department and free of charge to the employee. If the employee has previously received the three shot Hepatitis B vaccination, official documentation must be provided to the supervisor identifying the dates in which each shot was appropriately administered. A Temporary Medical Declination may be made for a period of up to six months. A Declination form must be completed, outlining the medical reasons for the temporary declination and forwarded to the Safety & Risk Manager. Employees temporarily declining the vaccine are prohibited from performing any duties in which they may be exposed to a blood borne pathogen or other potentially infectious disease until they are able to begin/continue the series of vaccinations. Failure to comply will result in termination of employment. As a condition of employment, all employees of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office are expected to comply with the agency’s Drug Free Workplace Policy. Therefore, employees working in this position must follow all County policies and procedures with respect to drug and alcohol testing. The policy requires random drug testing and the disclosure of certain drug prescriptions that are labeled as possibly affecting or impairing judgment, coordination or other senses, (including dizziness or drowsiness), or which may adversely affect the employee’s ability to perform work in a safe and productive manner. II. RESPONSIBILITY : Incumbent performs standard, recurring duties according to well-established department policies and procedures, selecting applicable methods and taking authoritative action in response to situational demands. Incumbent's work is primarily reviewed for compliance with department policies and procedures. Errors in decisions or work may result in adverse effects upon department operations, inconvenience to members of the public, work delays to other departments/agencies, loss of time for correction, and/or endangerment of self and/or others. III. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS : Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other county departments, inmates and their family members, other law enforcement agencies, Department of Corrections, and the public for a variety of purposes, including exchanging information, explaining policies and procedures, and supervising inmates. Incumbent's work frequently involves non-routine problem-solving to gain cooperation of law offenders in situations that may jeopardize the safety of the public, co-workers and/or incumbent. Incumbent reports directly to Corrections Sergeant. IV. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT : Incumbent performs duties in a jail, control room, and/or throughout a government facility involving sitting and walking at will, walking/standing and/or sitting for long periods, lifting/carrying objects weighing more than 50 pounds, crouching/ kneeling, bending, close and far vision, reaching, handling/grasping/fingering objects, keyboarding, hearing sounds/communication, speaking clearly, and exposure to potentially violent/hostile and/or emotionally distraught individuals. No prolonged extreme physical demands are associated with normal duties or assignments, but incumbent may exert strenuous physical effort during emergency situations, such as running distances under one mile and/or physically restraining inmates. Incumbent may also be required to withstand harsh environmental conditions during emergency situations or special details. Incumbent must perform duties despite the stress of potential injury and/or loss of life to self and/or others. Incumbent serves on 24-hour call, regularly works weekend and/or evening hours, and occasionally works extended and/or irregular hours. Incumbent may occasionally travel out of town to transport inmates, sometimes overnight. APPLICANT/EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGMENT The job description for the position of Corrections Officer for the Jail describes the duties and responsibilities for employment in this position. I acknowledge that I have received this job description and understand that it is not a contract of employment. I am responsible for reading this job description and complying with all job duties, requirements and responsibilities contained herein, and any subsequent revisions. Hamilton County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We participate in E-Verify.