Detention Center Director

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this position is to direct and manage the daily operations of the Detention Center. Ensure the safety and security of inmates, staff and the public, while remaining in compliance with Detention Center policies, procedures, and Minimum Standards for Local Detention Facilities in South Carolina. Plan and organize correctional programs, review policies and procedures, coordinate departmental budgets, and provide supervision. Also, the Director is responsible for all aspects of personnel management for subordinate staff and officers.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

Essential Job Duties are intended to be examples of duties and are not intended to be all-inclusive. There will be other duties as assigned.

Additional duties include:

Attend periodic training sessions and attend conferences and meetings to keep abreast of current correctional trends, court rulings, and legislation. Attend departmental in-service training to keep yearly mandatory jail certification and maintain the required level of proficiency in the use of firearms. Review, when needed, mental commitment orders, fugitive cases, extraditions, sentencing paperwork, and booking records to ensure that legal requirements are met. Coordinate Detention Center activities with those of other County divisions and departments, other agencies and organizations as appropriate. Ensure cooperation with and assistance to other agencies on a local, state, and federal level. Represent the Detention Center in a variety of local, county, state and other meetings. Perform the duties of subordinate personnel as needed. Remain on call 24 hours per day, seven days per week, for a response to critical events and emergencies. Direct response to major incidents such as riots, hostage situations, fires, and other critical incidents in the facility. Perform general administrative and clerical work as required, including the preparation of reports and correspondence, entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents as needed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Extensive knowledge of facility policies and procedures;

Knowledge of Minimum Standards for Local Detention Facilities in South Carolina;

Knowledge of current correctional and law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, equipment, and technology;

Knowledge of statutes and court decisions affecting corrections and law enforcement;

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing;

Good interpersonal skills and abilities;

Good critical thinking and problem-solving and decision-making skills;

Good physical condition for manual dexterity;

Basic computer and software skills;

Ability to safely and effectively coordinate emergency vehicle operations and use firearms;

Good supervisory and managerial skills;

Ability to effectively report on operations and activities that are complex or very broad in scope.

Basic mathematical and statistical abilities;

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

The educational requirement for this position is the completion of a Bachelor’s degree or education and training equivalent to four years of college education in criminal justice, law enforcement, social science or a closely related field, supplemented; by the completion of required law enforcement coursework.

Education may not be substituted for experience.

Related-experience required: 8 years.

Experience may be substituted for education.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:

Certifications, licenses, professional designations, or other qualifications required for this position include:

• Must possess with the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy basic law enforcement certification as a Class 2-LCO (Local Correctional Officer) and/or Class 3-SLE; alternatively, may also require Class 1-LE certification.
• Must be a U.S. citizen and be 21 years of age or older at the time of employment; must be able to read and write in the English language.
• Must possess a valid state driver’s license with no record of suspension or revocation in any state during the previous five years for driving under the influence (or equivalent), reckless homicide, involuntary manslaughter, or leaving the scene of an accident.
• Must not have been convicted of a felony, or any criminal offense that carries a sentence of one year or more, or any criminal offense that involves moral turpitude (forfeiture of bond, a guilty plea, or a plea of nolo contendere is equivalent to conviction).
• Must periodically complete minimum in-service training requirements for officer recertification, depending on certification(s) held (Class 1-LE, Class 2-LCO or Class 3-SLE).
• Must meet other requirements as set forth in applicable South Carolina statutes and regulations.
• Must periodically complete minimum in-service training requirements for officer recertification, depending on certification(s) held (Class 1-LE, Class 2-LCO or Class 3-SLE).
• Must meet other requirements as set forth in applicable South Carolina statutes and regulations.

May require additional professional or technical certification(s) as deemed necessary by the administrator.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Physical Requirements:

The physical activities required for this position involve:

Task involve the ability to exert moderate physical effort, typically involving some combination of driving, walking, running, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, which also involves the lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (up to 50 pounds), and occasionally heavy objects (100 pounds or more). While performing corrections work, must be able to defend one’s self from assault and to restrain suspects of varying weights.

Vision Requirements:

This position has the following special vision requirements:

• Vision corrected at 20/20

ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

The following physical conditions and hazards may be encountered while working in this position:

• Indoor environment
• Outdoor environment
• Noise
• Odors
• Electrical hazards
• Mechanical hazards
• Chemical hazards
• Bio hazardous waste
• Risk of exposure to disease/pathogens