Houston County is seeking qualified applicants for the full-time position of Lead Jailer/Dispatcher. Current wage range is $28.44 - $37.45 per hour, plus benefits. Please see application instructions below.
POSITION PURPOSE
A protective service employee reporting the Jail Administrator, the Lead Jailer/Dispatcher is responsible for maintaining the security of the E-911 Dispatch Center and Jail facility. This position monitors the activities of Jail and Dispatch as well as performs all general duties inherent in the Jailer/Dispatcher positions.
 
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Functions of this position are carried out with significant autonomy and discretion, provided that such actions stay within the scope of all Sheriff’s Office and DOC policies and guidelines. This employee must also be able to solve problems, motivate staff, and provide direction on a daily basis. This position requires excellent judgment and skill in the tactful and safe handling of prisoners. The Houston County Jail may house male and female adult and juvenile populations.
 
*Employees in this position are subject to a criminal history background check, whereby certain convictions may bar them from continued employment.
 
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
In addition to the general duties of a Jailer/Dispatcher

Assist and advise Jail Administrator:  To schedule and assign staff to designated shifts;  Monitoring time off and sick leave requests to insure proper coverage and make arrangements for the replacement of absent staff; To assess staff needs and scheduling appropriate training, and/or assist with Jail Programming/Training to ensure successful training of all new staff and continued training of all current staff; To plan and deliver training to Jailer/Dispatcher staff;  Assume limited responsibility in Jail Administrator’s absence for assigned shift.

Directs the work of staff during his/her shift so that security standards are maintained:  Assign duties; Monitor staff and review completed tasks for accuracy and timeliness, and provide feedback to staff, assure staff are collecting and entering the required admission and releases information into the data base and are completing all necessary logs and documentation in a timely and accurate manner; Explain and model correct techniques and procedures; Conduct shift- staff meetings with Jailer/Dispatchers and provide written reports to the Jail Administrator. Completes a daily end of shift report for documentation purposes to ensure important and pertinent information and issues are passed on to the next shift. Provide inmate management: Responsible for maintaining inmate population so that it does not exceed the maximum operational capacity as established by the Minnesota Department of Corrections Rules and Standards; Supervises admission and release of inmates, monitors procedures that will assure maximum security when inmates are moved or transferred, including examining or searching inmate property upon entry to or exit from the facility to ensure that contraband does not enter or leave the facility by thoroughly inspecting property and consulting a list of allowable items; Coordinate the transportation of inmates to other correctional facilities if the Houston County Jail is at maximum capacity; Monitor the movement of inmates within the Jail facility to ensure that all inmates’ whereabouts are known at all times; Monitor compliance with scheduled inmate activities so that problems are averted or minimized and a rapport is established and maintained with the inmates; Monitor and evaluate unit climate, inmate interaction and morale, facilitate resolutions to problems related to inmate or inmate/staff interaction; Manage inmate fund accounts, collect work release fees, booking and co-pay fees and regulate the canteen program.

Inmate and staff security and safety:  Responds to facility emergencies and assess the emergency (potential emergency) and provide control so that security and safety breaches are minimized and inmates and staff follow required policies and procedures;  Investigate, or assists others in investigating reported inmate disputes and complaints and reports findings to Jail Administrator and Sheriff; Conduct security inspections, instructs staff in safety and security techniques and responds to emergencies to ensure that staff are following all required security policies and procedures to maintain security; Examine/search incoming visitors/staff/packages and deliveries to the jail facility to ensure that contraband does not enter, by conducting pat and strip searches, and by opening packages;  Conduct safety, sanitation, and maintenance inspections of buildings and grounds; monitors emergency response/security equipment and inventory; orders supplies and records inventory to ensure that security, facility operations, and equipment function properly and are maintained and to identify and implement corrective action.

*Notice: DOC Guidelines provide that body searches be performed by persons of the same sex.

This description describes the general list of responsibilities and is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of this position and classification and are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work performed. This position description is subject to change as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Required Age, Education and Essential Experience

• DETENTION STAFF MUST BE 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AT TIME OF EMPLOYMENT (Persons older than 18, but younger than 21 years old, may be employed if they are enrolled in, or have completed, course work in a post-secondary education program to pursue a degree in a behavioral science.)
• BS in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, or a related field from an accredited college 
• Practical experience performing jailer and dispatching duties. 

-OR- 

• AA Corrections, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, or a related field from an accredited college 
• One (1) year experience performing jailer and dispatching duties. 

-OR- 

• Related certifications and an equivalent combination of the above education and experience.

 
In addition to strong technical expertise, the person in this position must
possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Demonstrated record of working in a team environment ;
• General management principles and practices sufficient to direct the work of Jailer/Dispatchers;
• Strong oral and written communication skills including ability to effectively communicate with individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic, and educational backgrounds;
• Strong analytical skills and ability to effectively analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action;
• Demonstrated evidence of ability to communicate effectively and calmly communicate during emergency situations and to draft requisite reports; 
• Thorough knowledge of the Houston County Jail systems and equipment within the jail/dispatch including all computer security systems, cameras, recording equipment, monitors, fire and smoke alarm systems, intercoms, radios, telephones and all door operating systems;
• Contemporary correctional philosophy and practices/procedures in significant depth in order to direct all integrated functions within the facility;
• Working knowledge of The Minnesota DOC rules and regulations, applicable State, County and Departmental policies and procedures, and the criminal justice system sufficient to protect the facility's environment and inmate rights and ensure public safety;
• The principles and practices used in the custody and control of inmates as well as security procedures and practices sufficient to take control in a hostile, aggressive or emergency situation including physical restraint methods sufficient to separate inmates involved in fights;
• Individual or group dynamics sufficient to recognize suspicious or inappropriate behaviors of inmates;
• Security techniques and procedures sufficient to evaluate and give instruction in conducting accurate inmate counts, search for contraband, direct or coordinate shakedowns, monitor inmate movement and inspect buildings and grounds;
• Strong analytical skills, including a thorough knowledge of enhanced E-911 procedures, computer aided dispatch (CAD) systems, personal computer systems, law enforcement procedures, dispatching language and use of radios and transmitters; geography of the area including knowledge of all area highways/roads, cities and subdivisions and related map information;
• The ability to work independently and effectively with law enforcement personnel, other agencies, staff and the public; be detail orientated, possess good listening skills and be able to efficiently and accurately perform dispatcher/jailer duties during emergencies.

Post-Employment

• Comprehensive knowledge of Minnesota DOC rules and guidelines
• Gain and maintain CPR/First Aid certification 

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
The above is a general listing of job duties. Essential and non-essential functions may vary by individual position. Reasonable accommodations may be available for both essential and non-essential job duties.

• Must possess the physical strength or ability necessary to control or restrain inmates if the need arises
• Must submit to and pass a tuberculosis test prior to employment

In compliance w/ the Americans with Disabilities Act the following represents the Physical/Environmental Demands

FUNCTION	N/A	<25%	25% - 49%	50% - 74%	>74%
Office Environment					X
Sitting			X
Standing, Walking	X
Hand Dexterity - Simultaneous/Repetitive Hand Movements				X
Typing/Data Entry			X
Close Vision (Near Acuity)			X
Distance Vision (Far Acuity)	X
Color Vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)	X
Accommodation (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus)			X
Hearing/Speech					X
Sedentary (Exert up to 10 pounds of force)					X
Light (Exert up to 20 pounds of force)		X
Lifting, carrying or pushing of objects up to twenty-five (25) pounds	X
Lifting, carrying or pushing of objects up to fifty (50) pounds	X
Lifting or pushing of objects over fifty (50) pounds	X
Adverse movements such as overhead, bending, reaching	X

 
 
NOTICE
A County employee in this position may encounter non-public data as defined by Minnesota or federal law in the course of their position. Any access to not public data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that is necessary to fulfill the defined job duties. While data is being accessed, the employee shall take reasonable measures to ensure the not public data is not accessed by unauthorized individuals. Once the work purpose to access the data is reasonably finished, the employee must properly store and secure the not public data in accordance with applicable County policies as well as Minnesota and federal law. All employees are expected to become familiar with and comply with the requirements of the County’s Data Practices and Data Security Policies. A breach of these policies may lead to disciplinary action.
Status: Non-exempt
Job Category: Protective Service
Band: B31-2
Labor Group: LELS Local #60
TO APPLY:  submit your online application to Houston County by 4:30 p.m., Friday, July 12, 2024, by clicking the green "APPLY" button on this page. Please attach a cover letter and copies of any applicable licenses/certifications to your application file. If special accommodations are needed to complete this application for employment, please contact the Houston County Personnel Department at 507.725.5822.