DETENTION DEPUTY (TRAINEE)

***Please note - In order for your application to be considered you MUST submit all required Sheriff's Office Application Information/Signature Pages, notarized, to either the Elmore County Sheriff's Office or the Elmore County Human Resources Office.

General Statement of Duties

The Detention Deputy works directly with inmates in the Elmore County Detention Center. The Detention Deputy is responsible for the care, custody, and control of inmates in accordance with established policies, regulations, and procedures and in the providing of security to the Elmore County Detention Center. Unusual and serious situations and/or matters may arise and require split second decisions and/or notification to supervisors for proper action and guidance. The incumbent uses their own judgment in the performance of duties, referring unusual, unique, or complex issues to their supervisor for advice and guidance. Performs related duties as required.

Classification Summary

The principal function of this position is to enforce State and local laws and to perform all work duties and activities in accordance with county policies, procedures, and safety practices. The duties are performed under the direct supervision of the Shift Supervisor and by direction of the Detention Master Sergeant. Considerable latitude is granted to the employee but is subject to stringent state and county legal guidelines. The work and duties performed by the Detention Deputy are subject to periodic performance audits and annual evaluations. The principal duties of this class are performed in a work environment in which the deputy is subject to potential personal danger.

Examples of Work (Illustrative Only)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensures that the County jail is operating within the rules and regulations outlined by the policy and procedures manual, Idaho Sheriff Association Jail Standards and by Idaho State laws;
• Conducts security inspections to check on safety and wellbeing of all inmates; observes condition of facility and of inmates; observes changes in habits and moods of inmates and reports unusual conditions or incidents to supervisor;
• Searching of Prisoner to ensure no contraband is brought into the facility;
• Obtaining prisoners medical history (current and historical);
• Supervises service functions, such as mental health counseling, religious services, AA and GED counselors, etc.;
• Serves warrants and summonses to inmates;
• Develops written disciplinary reports on inmates;
• Prepares formal reports on inmate incidents and activities;
• Determine alien status for appropriate notification of Embassy or Immigration and Customs Enforcement;
• Processes incoming prisoners; searches prisoners; obtains all personal property from prisoner and prepares a complete property inventory; takes fingerprints and photos; prepares clerical records and makes entries in jail management system; prepares packet for initial court hearings including Rights Forms and associated arrest documentation;
• Process classification reviews and assigns inmates to the proper level of confinement;
• Operates security equipment such as restraining devices, tasers, two-way radios, and locking devices;
• Responds to and controls inmate disturbances (fights, criminal activities, etc.);
• Engages in law enforcement detention functions that include such things as working in confined areas, physically restraining inmates, and checking the doors and windows of buildings to ensure they are secure;
• Detects and collects evidence in the Detention Center that provides the basis of criminal offenses or administrative violations;
• Responsible for loading, unloading, aiming, and firing handguns, shotguns, and other agency lethal and less-lethal firearms from a variety of body positions under conditions of stress that justify the use of deadly force and at levels of proficiency prescribed in certification standards;
• Demonstrates skill in the use, care, and security of firearms and other law enforcement equipment;
• Pursue fleeing inmates and performs rescue operations and other duties which may involve quickly entering and exiting secured areas; lifting, carrying, and dragging heavy objects; climbing up to and down from elevated surfaces; climbing through openings; jumping over obstacles; crawling in confined areas and using physical force to gain entrance;
• Possesses sufficient dexterity to manipulate keys and keyboards, operate levers and buttons, manually operate heavy doors and count, collect and inventory small items;
• If needed, can perform rescue functions at accidents, emergencies, and disasters including directing traffic, administering emergency medical aid, moving people from dangerous situations, securing and evacuating people from general areas, and extinguishing small fires;
• Calms, or takes other actions to calm emotionally upset persons;
• Ensures proper hygiene is maintained for all inmates through showers, cleaning of the unit and medical care;
• Records, in writing, any reportable occurrence in the jail during the tour of duty as directed by policy;
• Provides answers and feedback to inmates through the jail’s electronic grievance/request system;
• Searches inmates and cells for weapons and contraband;
• Distributes food trays; recovers food trays and accounts for all kitchen utensils;
• Supervises the medication distribution to inmates and provides security to medical staff during sick call;
• Issues toilet articles and sanitary supplies;
• Sorts, searches and delivers mail and legal papers to inmates;
• Collects soiled laundry; distributes clean laundry;
• Oversees inmates on special work details such as cleaning, painting, moving furniture, repair or laundry detail; oversees inmates’ activities in exercise yard or other recreational areas;
• Inspects perimeter of the building and grounds for security;
• Conducts inmate headcounts;
• Assists in transporting inmates to hospitals, other jurisdictions and court; escorts inmates to activities within the jail such as to see visitors, doctor, or to recreation area;
• Releases inmates as directed by legal authority;
• Returns personal property to inmates being discharged; completes paperwork pertinent to discharge or transfer of inmate;

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• As needed, performs the duties of other jail or Sheriff’s Office positions, including administrative office, fire/safety officer, supply officer, programs officer, security officer, and SILDS officer;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• State and local laws related to criminal and civil, adult and juvenile crimes;
• County policy and procedures;
• Idaho Jail Standards;
• Safe and appropriate response to the public and persons in custody;
• Defense tactics and handgun use in potentially dangerous and volatile situations;
• Officer safety skills including hand-cuffing, handgun operations, and pain-compliance;
• Effective Public relation skills;
• Various processes related to the operation of a personal computer and associated software for word processing and spread sheets;
• Effective interpersonal communication skills;
• Facility equipment such as vehicles, body armor, handcuffs, firearms and other related equipment;
• Standard first-aid administration.

Ability to:

• Safely and appropriately respond to the public and persons in custody;
• Read and comprehend legal and non-legal documents, including the processing of such documents as medical instructions, commitment orders, summons, and other legal writs;
• Prepare investigative and other reports, using appropriate grammar, symbols, and mathematical computations;
• Exercise independent judgment in determining the appropriate classification of inmates and assessing and responding to the needs of special populations;
• Effectively communicate orally, in writing, and over law enforcement radio channels;
• Understand and apply departmental, state and local law enforcement procedures, policies and regulations;
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively; recognize actual and potential dangers and determine proper course of action;
• Cope with stressful situations calmly, fairly, tactfully and with respect for individual rights;
• Demonstrate proficiency in the exercise of defensive tactics and the use and care of firearms;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
• Keep the Shift Supervisor fully and accurately informed of work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
• Learn new aspects of work depending upon specialty assignment areas;
• Uphold the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics at all times;
• Respond to citizen requests in a courteous and effective manner;
• Make sound and reasonable decisions in accordance with laws, ordinances, regulations and established procedures;
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
• Understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions;
• Responds to citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
• Take criticism and verbal abuse from inmates and their visitors without reacting in a negative manner;
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with County policies, procedures and safety practices.
• Demonstrate integrity, ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

Acceptable Experience and Training

• High school diploma or GED equivalency; and
• Minimum 2 years of work experience preferred; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Special Qualifications (where appropriate)

• Valid Idaho State driver’s license;
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• POST Certification within one year of hire;
• Must successfully complete a background investigation through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), including a polygraph exam and a psychological evaluation;
• Other certification may be required to perform specialized training and/or supervisory duties;

Essential Physical Abilities

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate effectively;
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to establish, maintain and monitor a safe jail environment;
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to provide overall safety and security for jail inmates, personnel and the general public;
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to deal with aggressive, violent and combative inmates.

Position will remain posted until filled.