Job Details

Detention Officer

Under general supervision of the Detention Supervisor, or designee, the Detention Officer performs all duties necessary for the successful operation of the Detention Facility. Executes booking protocols for arrivals and departures at the municipal detention facility while ensuring the welfare of the detainees is consistently monitored. Must be available to work any shift, holidays and/or weekends.

Essential Job Functions:

• Completes all areas of on-the-job training.
• Assists with booking procedures into/out of the municipal detention facility, including logging in of property, recording names into the arrest book and onto the computer, fingerprinting, photographing, and conducting a secondary search for weapons/drugs before putting detainees into cells.
• Assists with administering intoxilyzer tests and videotaping persons arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).
• Monitors daily activity and behavior of detainees to ensure compliance with facility rules.
• Issues detainee towels and personal hygiene articles.
• Assists in dispensing medication as prescribed.
• Assists with security and monitoring detainees during arraignment proceedings.
• Uploads files to the arraignment platform for judicial review and updates records.
• Escorts detainees from one area to another, as required.
• Visually, and through use of remote video surveillance equipment, performs cell checks to monitor detainee status and behavior.
• Explains bail and bond-out options to detainees charged with offenses; accepts bail, bonds, or fines from and completes release forms for detainees.
• Locks cell doors, takes physical action to prevent escapes and/or assaults, subdue combative/violent detainees.
• Assists in emergency situations, including disturbances and medical needs.
• Assists in detainee visitations with relatives and legal counsel.
• Assists in preparing appropriate documentation to ensure release or a timely transfer of detainees.
• May attend/testify in criminal and civil courts when summoned.
• Effectively communicate with detainees, staff and visitors to maintain order and security.
• Stock office supply inventories and monitor detention center equipment and supplies.
• Cleans detention facilities.

Other Important Duties:

• Maintains various paper and computer records.
• Prepares reports as required.
• Attends training schools/seminars and other City related events which may require occasional overnight travel.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work hours is essential.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of cash handling procedures, including the ability to accurately collect and count money and to make change.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and procedure applicable to incarceration of prisoners and civil rights.
• Knowledge of penal codes as they relate to incarceration of prisoners.
• Knowledge of internal detention security and order standards
• Health and safety standards applicable to Detention facilities.
• Knowledge of the order and decorum standards for appearing and testifying in court.
• Proficient in the use of computers and related equipment, hardware, and software.
• Must be able to type 20 words per minute.
• Skill in effective oral and written communications including preparation and presentation of reports and materials.
• Skill in resolving customer complaints and concerns.
• Knowledge of customer service and training methods and practices.
• Knowledge of City policies and procedures.

Education, Experience, and Certifications/Licenses:

• High School Diploma or GED or equivalent combination of education and experience that support the ability to perform the essential functions and/or skills of the job.
• Must obtain certificate of completion of Basic Jailer training program within one (1) year of employment.
• Must be able to successfully complete training in defensive tactics within one (1) year of employment and maintain proficiency in defense tactics.
• Must be a United States citizen.
• Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, polygraph, psychological examination, physical agility test, criminal background check and MVR check.
• Must possess a valid State of Texas Driver's License.

Environmental Factors and Conditions:

• Work is performed in office and on-site environments.
• Maintains level of physical fitness to safely respond and assist other detention officers when necessary.
• Must be able to restrain hostile and/or combative individuals.

Physical Demands:

• This work typically requires the following physical activities to be performed. A complete description of the activities below is available upon request from Human Resources.
• Balancing maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching.
• Climbing ascending, descending ladders, stairs, ramps, requires body agility.
• Crawling moving about on hands, knees, or hands, feet.
• Crouching bending body forward by bending leg, spine.
• Feeling perceiving attributes of objects by touch with skin, fingertips.
• Fingering picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand.
• Grasping applying pressure to object with fingers, palm.
• Handling picking, holding, or working with whole hand.
• Hearing 1 perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information.
• Hearing 2 receive detailed information, make discrimination in sound.
• Kneeling bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees.
• Lifting raising objects from lower to higher position, moving objects side to side, using upper extremities, back.
• Mental Acuity ability to make rational decisions through sound logic, deductive reasoning.
• Pulling - use upper extremities to exert force, haul or tug.
• Pushing use upper extremities to press against objects with force, or thrust forward, downward, outward.
• Reaching extending hands or arms in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers.
• Speaking expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely.
• Standing for sustained periods of time.
• Stooping bending body downward, forward at waist, with full motion of lower extremities and back.
• Talking 1- expressing ideas by spoken word.
• Talking 2 shouting to be heard above ambient noise.
• Visual Acuity 1 - prepare, analyze data, transcribing, computer terminal, extensive reading.
• Visual Acuity 2 - color, depth perception, field of vision.
• Visual Acuity 3 - determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures.
• Visual Acuity 5 - close acuity for inspection of small defects, machines, use measurement devices, or fabricate parts.
• Walking - on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site.

Work Environment:

• Work performed is primarily medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.