JOB SUMMARY:
 
Provides safety, security and care to the inmates in the detention facility; provides safety and security to staff and visitors to the facility, upholds the civil and constitutional rights of inmates, provides security to the County and District Courts and transports prisoners.  Duties and responsibilities depend upon assignment. 
 
Recruiting and Hiring Incentives
In an effort to attract the most qualified candidates, the following financial incentives may be used for individuals with specific experience, skills, or education:

• Fluent in both English and Spanish at the time of hire - $5,000.00 bonus (Effective 8/22/2018 – Will use Workforce Center test – Call Center Spanish-English Bilingual (Audio) Need 80% or higher to receive the bonus.
• Associates Degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college - $3,000.00 bonus
• Bachelors Degree from accredited college - $5000,00 bonus
• Masters Degree from accredited college - $7000.00 bonus
• Active duty military service of 2 or more years - $4000.00 bonus
• 2-3 years of related work experience – applicant will be hired at Step 2 of the pay range as described in the Pay Plan Policy 1034.
• Three or more years of related work experience - applicant will be hired at Step 3 of the pay range as described in the Pay Plan Policy 1034.

• 50% of bonus paid upon completion of the field-training program.
• Remaining 50% paid upon completion of the first full year of employment. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

(The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required.  Mesa County reserves the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of this job at any time. All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents.)

Processes new inmates into the detention facility to include:  reviews the paperwork to insure validity of commitment papers, performs custodial searches, takes fingerprints and mug shots, inventories and stores personal items/property, receives inmate monies for inmate accounts, detects potential medical/mental health problems which may require attention, completes intake/booking forms.

Monitors inmate living areas for fights, arguments, destruction of property and other types of undesirable behaviors; takes appropriate action when such undesirable behaviors are noted; conducts headcounts and security checks both at scheduled times and intermittently throughout assigned shift; supervises housing unit cleaning activities; issues and/or exchanges inmate clothing, linen, bedding and hygiene items; addresses other inmate needs as appropriate.

Supervises inmate meals to include: accounting for utensils, monitoring servers, ensuring all inmates are offered/provided a meal, ensuring equitable portion control, ensuring special dietary needs are addressed, monitoring clean-up.

Monitors inmate participation in special activities and programs 

Prepares reports of actions/incidents in accordance with training and policy.  Makes computer entries to log routine, unusual and emergency activities.  Composes, reviews, finalizes and files administrative paperwork/reports as required. 

Monitors all security sensitive areas of the interior and exterior of the detention facility (including the Sheriff’s Office administration/law enforcement areas) to ensure the safety and security of staff and inmates, including, but not limited to:  electric locks, gates, fences, doors, control areas, common areas, administrative areas, classrooms, commissary, control stations, booking area, visitation area, supply and storage areas, kitchen and laundry areas, etc.

Monitors all movement of inmates and visitors entering and departing the detention facility; controls inmate, visitor and employee movement within the facility; ensures unauthorized persons are not admitted to the detention facility; ensures items of contraband are not introduced into the facility; takes appropriate actions if contraband is located within the facility.

Provides security assistance to medical, food service, booking, maintenance, or other staff, volunteers or visitors as appropriate.

Conducts various types of searches.

Determines the level of security to which an inmate should be classified for housing.  Assess appropriate programs and services needed for all inmate classifications and meet the needs of inmates requiring special considerations.

Accounts for all keys and equipment; checks for equipment reliability; keys, radios and all issued equipment.

Monitors radio transmissions for routine and emergency transmissions; coordinates with outside agencies for necessary response; uses appropriate radio procedures when transmitting information by radio.

Receives and distributes inmate legal mail as needed, opening and checking for contraband in the presence of the inmate.  Regular inmate mail will be handled by an outside contractor that will open and scan regular mail onto the inmate tablet system for the inmate to access and view.

Responds to verbal and written requests from inmate population; counsels inmates, answers questions, verbally disciplines inmates for minor violations; participates in inmate disciplinary hearings.

Uses appropriate levels of force to control/contain prisoners, inmates, arrestees or others. 

May assist in transporting inmates to court proceedings, medical and dental appointments, other detention/corrections facilities, hospitals, funerals, work details, etc.; when necessary, provides appropriate levels of security for all inmate transports.

Conducts necessary investigations and apprehension procedures should an inmate escape; may effect an arrest under the authority of an arrest warrant or other court order; assists certified officers in the performance of law enforcement duties; conducts interviews, reviews evidence, prepares initial reports, handles evidentiary materials, develops sources or information, prepares documents for signature.

Prepares for and testifies effectively in court proceedings.

Interacts with citizens and business concerns to respond to inquiries and complaints, provides information as appropriate regarding detention/court security related matters.

In emergency situations, may assist in securing the courthouse including processing entrants through metal detection equipment, assisting in clearing the building in emergency situations, or as dictated by the situation.  May assist in enforcing safety regulations, rules and laws to ensure the safety of judges, court personnel, attorneys, other law enforcement personnel, prisoners, inmates, visitors and the public. 

Additional elective collateral duties may include serving on specialized teams such as Special Operations Response Team (SORT), Honor Guard, Firearms instructor, Taser instructor, Defensive Tactics instructor, etc… 

These collateral duties require a commitment from you when you have been selected for any collateral duties and may require you to receive certifications and/or specialized training for these assignments. 

Oral and written communications must be clear and effective.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

When assigned to Programs/Classifications:

Determines the level of security to which an inmate should be classified for housing.  Assess appropriate programs and services needed for all inmate classifications and meet the needs of inmates requiring special considerations.

Interviews each inmate to gather relevant information, reviews prior criminal history, current charges, and any past inmate behavior and safety concerns in order to help determine risk level and appropriate housing. 

Active team member in routine classification meetings and discussions.   Reviews daily behavior entries made by staff to help determine inmate moves and/or reclassification of inmates as needed.

Reviews inmate incident reports, schedules and conducts disciplinary hearings as needed.  Completes proper procedures and paperwork.

Staff will help coordinate and complete inmate arraignments and court hearings as scheduled to include proper documentation that is required.

Staff will help coordinate and implement all jail programs and activities offered to inmates throughout the facility as needed.  Create and post any specific program or activity information in housing areas or inmate tablet system as needed.

Maintain tracking sheets and documentation required for the various classification and program duties.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

When assigned to Professional Standards Unit (PSU):

Receive and review applications for all open job postings within the Sheriff’s office.

Communicate with applicants moving forward in the testing process. Notify those that do not move forward in our hiring process.

Conduct pre-employment background investigations and provide written findings to supervisory staff.

Will conduct in person interviews, phone interviews, sending/receiving e-mails, faxing, and mailings to complete backgrounds.

Coordinate and oversee various applicant testing throughout the hiring process.

Document and maintain various forms and records with background investigation and testing processes.

Communicate with Human Resources to coordinate job offers and proper documentation. 

Serve as a member of various committees or interview boards as directed.

Will require some overnight travel via car/airplane to other jurisdictions to conduct applicant backgrounds as needed.

Assist in conducting professional standards or internal affairs investigations. May investigate complaints against other members of the agency.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
 
Education and Experience:
 
High School Graduation or Equivalent.
 
Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job.
 
Licenses and Certifications:
 
Must have or be eligible to obtain a valid Colorado Driver’s License upon hire.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
 
This position requires standing, stooping, sitting, bending, twisting, running, climbing, gripping, pushing, restraining, pulling, carrying, coordination, flexibility, agility, balance, physical power and lifting up to 100 pounds. Must be able to engage in physical struggles and restrain violent, disoriented, and/or mentally disabled persons. 
 
The rigors of this position place an unusual degree of mental, physical, and psychological demands on the officer.   Officer fitness is essential to officer capabilities and performance.  Confrontations with criminal suspects are unpredictable and cannot be entirely avoided; therefore, career-long requirements of physical fitness, (aerobic & anaerobic endurance, upper body strength and endurance, and core body strength and endurance) are an essential function of the job and required to perform arduous law enforcement duties.
 
May be subject to dangerous situations and/or individuals.   May be stressful due to the nature of personal contacts with inmates.
 
May be exposed to communicable diseases, infections, blood and bodily fluids.
 
The employee is frequently exposed to dirt, smoke, fumes, extreme heat and cold for long duration, outside atmospheric conditions, traffic noise, and dust for sustained periods of time.
 
Must be available for shift/weekend/holiday work and overtime.
 
 
EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK ACT:
 In compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act the following items can be used as a determining factor in the starting and ongoing wage of an employee working in this position:
 

• A seniority system that rewards employees based on length of employment;
• Education, training, or experience to the extent that they are reasonably related to the work in question;

• Medical
• Dental 
• Vision
• Retirement
• Paid Sick and Vacation Leave
• Life insurance
• Long term disability