DETENTION OFFICER Job in Houston 77002, Texas US

HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

JOB DESCRIPTION

 

DETENTION OFFICER

 

 

I.                    GENERAL SUMMARY:

 

Reports to and receives assignments, instructions, and direction from Sergeants, Lieutenants, and Captains.  Reads pass on logs and receives activity briefing from off going shift personnel.  Observes and monitors jail inmates, and detects and deters improper or unacceptable behavior.  Controls and directs inmates while out of cell areas during transfers, work assignments, meals, recreation, etc.  Books inmates into jail and performs searches of individuals and jail cells to locate weapons or contraband.  Prepares logs, records, and reports of jail activities.  Performs other duties and activities as directed.

 

 

II.                 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

 

A.        Book inmates into jail, including conducting inmate classification interviews, operating computer terminal to input, verify, and obtain information, fingerprinting and photographing inmates, counseling and advising inmates on jail rules and procedures, and preparing related documentation.

 

B.        Monitor jail alarm systems and operate controls for doors, elevators, and surveillance equipment.

 

C.        Observe and monitor jail inmates to detect behavior and adjustment problems, recognize interpersonal problems and disputes, and identify unmanageable, suicidal, or mentally ill inmates.

 

D.        Direct and control inmates to ensure appropriate behavior in tanks and cells in the jail area, during recreation and meals, and while escorting inmates within the jail premises.

 

E.         Conduct “enters” in cells to ensure jail rules are being observed, including searching inmates and their personal items for weapons and contraband articles, and inspecting jail equipment, materials, and facilities for signs of tampering.

 

F.         Supervise, instruct, direct, and control inmates performing internal work assignments.

 

G.        Participate in inmate counts, including checking wristband and T-card information and “freezing” the floor or building.

 

H.        Monitor and control jail visitors, including verifying identity of visitor, purpose of visit, and eligibility of inmate to receive visitors, providing information and instructions to all parties, securing weapons, resolving visitor problems and complaints, and monitoring visitor and inmate interactions.

 

I.           Calm nervous or agitated inmates and jail visitors, and physically restrain unruly inmates and visitors as necessary.

 

J.           Prepare inmates for transfer, including counseling and advising inmates on transfer rules and regulations, checking wristband and T-card information, ensuring presence of inmate’s personal items, and putting inmates into handcuffs or other restraining devices.

 

K.        Direct and control inmates to ensure appropriate behavior when being transported outside the jail facility, to court holding cells, on work assignments, or to the clinic or hospital jail wards.

 

L.         Maintain and update manual records, logs, and periodic reports of jail and inmate activities, including narrative reports, memorandum, and notes of incidents and offenses.

 

 

III.              OTHER IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS:

 

A.        Mediate and resolve inmate complaints and disputes.

 

B.        Collect and distribute inmate mail and items such as clothing, bedding, toiletries, reading materials, etc.

 

C.        Research manual and computer records to obtain information concerning policies, procedures, regulations, warrants, etc.

 

D.        Attend in-service training classes.

 

E.         Maintain inventories of materials and supplies required to support daily operations.

 

 

IV.              JOB REQUIREMENTS:

 

A.        Written Comprehension.

 

1.        Ability to read and comprehend narrative hand written materials, including pass on logs, round sheets, caution tags, cell search logs, etc.

 

2.        Ability to read and comprehend printed materials, such as standard operating procedures (SOP’s), fire procedures, and the Inmate Handbook.

 

3.        Ability to read and comprehend computer screen information and data when booking individuals,

 

4.        Ability to prepare hand written activity logs, and narrative incident and offense reports in a legible and grammatically acceptable manner to permit comprehension by the receiving party.

 

B.        Verbal Comprehension.

 

1.        Ability to understand and exchange information with supervisors and coworkers when receiving assignments, instructions, and shift change information, and while performing assigned duties and tasks.

 

2.        Ability to understand and exchange information with the general public, including attorneys, jail visitors, maintenance personnel.

 

3.        Ability to interact with inmates, and to understand and comprehend inmate responses to questions.

 

4.        Ability to provide verbal direction to inmates to effect conformance to rules, regulations, and other directives.

 

C.        Mathematical Capabilities.

 

1.        Ability to add and subtract when taking prisoner counts and reconciling discrepancies.

 

D.        Visual Capabilities.

 

1.        Ability to detect abnormal behavior and unordinary activities when observing the actions of an inmate or group of inmates.

 

2.        Ability to identify colors when preparing personal descriptions requiring entry of color of eyes, preparing written description of personal property in describing color of jewelry, and observing armbands to identify classification of inmates.

 

3.        Ability to detect smoke from cigarettes, electrical fires, etc.

 

4.        Visual acuity must be correctable to 20/20 for both eyes.

 

5.        Color vision must be normal.

 

 

E.         Auditory Capabilities.

 

1.        Ability to hear alarms.

 

2.        Ability to hear and understand information received over the telephone and intercom.

 

3.        Ability to distinguish between normal jail sounds and sounds indicating impending, improper or unacceptable inmate behavior such as altercations, fights, assaults, etc.

 

4.        Must have hearing that is within the normal range as defined by nationally recognized audiometric standards, or that surpasses the normal range.

 

F.         Olfactory Capabilities.

 

1.        Ability to detect the presence of smoke from cigarettes, electrical fires, etc.

 

2.        Ability to detect the presence of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs.

 

G.        Physical Capabilities.

 

1.        Ability to lift weights up to 40 pounds when lifting and positioning Scott air pack on back.

 

2.        Ability to climb stairs when moving between cell blocks.

 

3.        Ability to work in standing position for extended periods of time when observing and monitoring inmates, checking cells, escorting inmates, etc.

 

4.        Ability to bend, stoop, and kneel when checking under tables, beds, and mattresses during cell searches.

 

5.        Finger dexterity, and hand and arm steadiness when adjusting knobs and switches, and operating computer keyboard.

 

6.        Eye, hand, and arm coordination when fingerprinting individuals.