Detention Specialist

Assists in performing specialized duties essential to the care and custody of detainees housed in the El Paso County Jail. General responsibilities involve monitoring operations and providing administrative support to detention personnel. Detention Specialists escort inmates, professional visitors, and other visitors throughout the facility. Detention Specialists monitor and supervise inmates in conjunction with sworn personnel and respond to codes and other requests for assistance.

• Coordinates required inmate movement with appropriate Detention personnel.  Retrieves inmates from housing units and supervises their movement to designated areas, i.e., medical, kitchen, laundry, work details, programs, recreation areas, and other sections as needed within the secure confines of the jail.
• Coordinates work details with detention personnel, including logistics and follow up. Transports designated inmates to the work detail site and supervises working inmates for the duration of work detail.
• Communicates/coordinates with deputies and all other sections as required, to ensure that important information about inmates is shared and documented, and to make certain that applicable state/federal laws and/or inmate constitutional rights are not violated or compromised.
• Corresponds with inmates using the facilities Kiosk request system.
• Makes visual observations of visitors to the facility; assists with facility security.
• Provides relief for Security Technicians while on break.
• Assists deputies during meal hours.  Verifies meal and inmate counts, passes out meal trays, obtains, and delivers additional trays/sack lunches, conducts inventory and verifies that all trays/utensils are accounted for.
• Performs inmate laundry exchange; supervises inmates assisting with this task.
• Answers phones and responds to the caller by either resolving the matter at hand, or referring caller to appropriate section or supervisor.
• Provides Notary and Power of Attorney Services to detainees.
• Takes photographs and downloads them to the jail management system to assist with documentation and report writing.
• Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must be honest, truthful, trustworthy, and possess a high degree of personal integrity.
• Knowledge of record keeping systems.
• Ability to comprehend and accurately maintain a variety of detailed records and information.
• Ability to perform accurate data entry and organize paperwork.
• Ability to use standard office equipment, including telephone, computer, fax machine, calculator, and copier.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Required Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent education.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.

Licenses/Certificates:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must obtain and maintain Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Compliance within six months of employment. 

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Must pass conditional post offer background investigation, truth verification examination, motor vehicle record check, drug screen, and physical examination.

Duties are performed in a highly stressful, closed environment with minimal exposure to windows. Potential exposure to violent inmates, use of foul and disrespectful language, offensive smells, excessive noise, body fluid and airborne pathogens. Ability to work majority of shift on your feet, walking constantly; ability to ascend and descend stairs routinely; and ability to physically perform in high stress situations with possible hands-on physical contact. Some travel may be required.  Ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.  Position requires shift work to ensure coverage for operations 24 hours per day 7 days per week; may be required to workdays, evenings or overnight depending on assigned shift.

Salary : $62,442 - $63,918