What are the responsibilities and job description for the Communications position at Buffalo County, WI?
BUFFALO COUNTY
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position: Communications / Department: Sheriff’s Office
Corrections Officer
Pay Grade: 10 FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Direct Jail Administrator Date: May 2022
Supervisor:
Summary of Position:
The job entails two sets of duties. The Corrections Officer maintains the safety and security of
the jail and its inmates and provides for inmate needs. The Communication Officer provides
central dispatching of all emergency services. The safety of Buffalo County begins in the 911
Communications Center.
Essential Duties:
This position description has been prepared to assist in defining job responsibilities, physical
demands, working conditions and skills needed. It is not to be intended as a complete list of job
duties, responsibilities and/or essential functions. This description is not intended to limit or
modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of employees under
supervision. The Sheriff retains and reserves any or all rights to change, modify, amend, add or
delete from any section of this document as it deems in its Judgment to be proper.
All staff will have knowledge of and will obey all policies, procedures, rules, orders and
directives pertaining to the Communication/Corrections Division. The ability to provide effective
credible testimony in a court of law.
Performs the following functions in order to fulfill the title of Corrections Officer:
- Report to work in a timely manner as set by supervisors.
- Acquires knowledge of essential building and jail mechanisms relating to utilities, locks
- Properly books inmates into the jail as set forth in the Jail Policy Manual. This includes
- Monitor inmates at irregular intervals (cell checks) in order to ensure their safety and
- Monitor behavior and movement of inmates. Provide supervision of housing units. Apply
- Use appropriate levels of force to control violet or non-compliant inmates.
- Perform searches of inmates, property, inmate lockers and housing units.
- Provide health care through the Jail Nurse or Jail Doctor.
- Provide mental health care through the Mental Health Care Giver.
- Serve meals to inmates.
- Process and record all incoming and outgoing inmate mail.
- Supervise and observe all inmate visitation periods.
- Transport inmates to other correctional or treatment facilities, court appearances, and
- Prepare, maintain and update the necessary records, files and computer information on
- Maintain a clean and sanitary jail.
- Release inmates from custody.
- Will attend training sessions as directed.
- Will assist in training correction officers in the operation of the jail when directed.
Performs the following functions in order to fulfill the title of Communication Officer:
- Operate the Enhanced 911 system, receive calls for service and assign appropriate law
- Operate radios, telephones, computer systems, facsimile and teletype equipment.
- Determines nature of emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
- Monitor video surveillance systems and alarms.
- Prepare, maintain and update the necessary computer information on departmental
complaints, the CAD (Computer Assisted Dispatching), as well as for fire, ambulance or
other medical assistance.
- Use computer to acquire DOT (Department of Transportation) information for officers as
agencies.
- Implement any fire/weather warning systems.
- Provide counter service to the public such as providing information, furnishing proper
- Performs clerical and related administrative assignments as directed by supervisors
- Is responsible for communication center security and overall operations within the
- Will assist in training dispatchers and others in the operations of the communication
- Will attend training sessions as directed.
- Will assist in maintaining all equipment in the communication center and shall report any
- Must develop a thorough knowledge of all department forms.
Minimum Training, Experience, and Qualifications Required to Perform Essential Job
Functions:
The skills and abilities of this position require a high school diploma. Additional course work
and experience in corrections science, criminal justice, corrections, telecommunications and
operating a variety of computer applications/systems, is helpful, but not required. Must have or
be able to complete certification by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board as a Jail
Officer within one year of employment. Must have or be able to complete the Basic and
Advanced TIME training within six months of employment. Must maintain all re-certification
requirements. Must have a valid Driver’s License.
Skills/Abilities:
- Ability to understand and follow directions in order to comply with County, State and
- Ability to refer the public to appropriate agencies on matters relating to statutes and
- Ability to maintain various cash ledgers and account books regarding inmates finances,
- Ability to supervise inmates and demonstrate a firm but fair attitude with them in order to
- Ability to maintain a calm and clear mind in emergency situations, especially when
safe and appropriate action.
- Ability to communicate in a courteous, professional manner when assisting the public,
(i.e., Highway Department, Public Health and Maintenance), law enforcement agencies
outside of the County, inmates in the jail, other communication/corrections officers from
other agencies, the Court, Judges, Court Commissioners, District Attorney and
Corporation Counsel.
- Ability to operate a variety of office equipment and machinery with some requiring
calculator, photocopier and recording equipment.
- Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing slightly skilled
- Ability to exert very moderate physical effort to sedentary to light work, typically involving
pushing and pulling up to 20 pounds.
- Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities or differences between
materials, and tasks.
- Ability to sustain prolonged visual and mental concentration.
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing with others.
- Ability to understand voice or radio communications at conversational levels with
- Ability to use a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) in emergency situations.
- Ability to problem solve collaboratively or individually with the Courts, Probation, mental
health, jail health, inmates, public, other law enforcement agencies and emergency
service agencies, on a variety of issues including conflict resolution, placement of
inmates, assigning of responding agencies or officers. To determine bond, release
dates, release of information to the public or media.
- Ability to handle several tasks simultaneously and to determine priorities.
- Ability to react quickly and effectively to stressful situations.
- Ability to react quickly to medical and other emergency situations.
- Ability to work inside a secured facility.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and not share confidential information with persons
outside of Law Enforcement unless directed to so by the Sheriff.
Environmental Adaptability:
- Ability to work under generally safe and comfortable conditions. May be exposed to
to disease and injury may occur due to inmate health status or the physical need to keep
the jail safe & secure.
Buffalo County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
The county retains and reserves any and all rights to change, modify, amend, add to or delete
from any section of this document as it deems, in its judgment, to be proper.
