Detention Officer

GENERAL PURPOSE 

Under general supervision, oversees the housing, processing and preparing for court appearances of inmates housed at the City's Type-I jail; maintains order and security in the jail facility; enforces rules and regulations to ensure the safety of staff and inmates; and performs related duties as assigned. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS 

Detention Officers perform a variety of standard or routine duties in the booking, control and custodial care of inmates. Upon completion of a structured training program, incumbents perform the full range of assigned duties with a significant degree of independence and sound judgment. Work requires the knowledgeable application of policies, procedures and standards for housing and securing inmates. 

Employees in this class typically report to a Police Supervisor - Detention.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

1. Ensures officer and inmate safety by controlling the behavior of jail inmates.

2. Performs secondary search and/or strip search of inmates upon booking into the jail as determined by law; performs medical screenings, prepares paperwork, photographs, fingerprints, operates Live Scan machine, collects DNA and ensures entry of inmate information into computer records; secures inmates' personal property and monies as necessary in compliance with departmental policies and procedures; secures and processes juveniles in compliance with detention policies and regulations. 

3. Prepares booking and court paperwork; obtains criminal history information including warrants or other holds and updates classification or housing information as necessary; processes bail payments and paperwork for inmate release; verifies identity and paperwork for inmate release to contracting police agency personnel.

4. Organizes inmates for meals, medical call and other processing; escorts inmates to/from cells; maintains physical control of combative/uncooperative inmates using appropriate restraint techniques.

5. Conducts security checks of the jail facility both in person and via closed-circuit television; may inspect or search cells when required.

6. Monitors visitors entering and exiting the facility and supervises visitations with inmates.

7. Prepares inmates for transportation to court appearances; assists armed sworn officers with inmates during transit to and from court.

8. Testifies in court when required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of: 

1. Law enforcement procedures, activities and security provisions related to the care and custody of detainees and inmates.

2. Physical restraint methods and techniques.

3. Practices and procedures involved in booking, fingerprinting, search and release of detainees and inmates.

4. Standards, methods and practices for maintaining the cleanliness of the jail and other detention areas.

5. Basic CPR and first aid procedures.

6. City ordinances, codes, procedures and practices regarding booking, processing and releasing inmates.

7. Inmate court-processing procedures.

8. Working knowledge of California Code of Regulations Title 15 - Crime Prevention and Corrections.

9. Safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the work. 

Ability to: 

1. Respond maturely and in a self-controlled manner to a wide range of inmate behaviors and actions, in accordance with established policies and procedures.

2. Analyze situations as they occur and respond appropriately to ensure the protection of staff and inmates.

3. Gain compliance with persons in custody; physically restrain persons when necessary.

4. Exercise vigilance and sound observation skills to identify, confront and solve problems.

5. Recognize and respond appropriately to mental or psychiatric disorders.

6. Operate communication and surveillance equipment.

7. Administer emergency first aid. 

8. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

9. Understand and follow written and oral instructions. 

10. Operate a computer and standard business software.

11. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.

Training and Experience: 

A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is:

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent, and at least 18 years of age at time of appointment. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must possess a valid California Class C driver's license and comply with the City's Motor Vehicle Safety Policy during the course of employment.

Successful completion of a comprehensive background investigation is required which may include a review of employment history, criminal conviction record, credit history, use of intoxicants and/or other controlled substances, and psychological evaluation.

 
A Detention Officer must successfully qualify on a typing test at a minimum of 25 net words per minute within their probationary work test period. 

Must successfully complete PC 832.3 training within six months of assignment and Standards and Training for Corrections (STC) Adult Corrections Officer Core Course within one year of assignment.

Annual STC training and any other factors relevant to suitability of employment as a Detention Officer is required.

CLASS DATA:

New Hire Probationary Period: 12 months
Promotional Probationary Period: 12 months

FLSA Designation: Non-Exempt

EEO Category: Protective Service Workers- Non Sworn

Bargaining Unit: AFSCME

Formerly: Jailor (November 2014)

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Physical Demands  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists; climb or balance on ladders or stairs; stoop, kneel, bend at the waist, crouch or crawl; and smell. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 100 pounds unaided.

Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, use of both eyes, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus. 

Incumbent must be capable of protecting self and others from physical attack.

Mental Demands 

While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; learns and applies new information and skills; deals with constant interruptions and multiple concurrent tasks; responds to life-threatening, emergency situations; carefully observes and interprets people, conditions and situations; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public and dissatisfied/abusive individuals.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The employee works in a jail environment where the noise level is usually moderate. The employee is occasionally exposed to biological hazards; disease/infestations and loud or prolonged noise. The employee is required to work in a restricted area and may be exposed to disturbing or violent language and behavior. 

The employee may be required to work various shifts including nights, weekends and holidays.