Detention Deputy

Maintains safety and security of inmates, staff, and detention facilities; provides custody and control of inmates and preserves order and discipline; supervises inmates according to Pitkin County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) policies and procedures. 

Job Responsibilities:

• Learns specific detention related skills under supervision of an FTO who does daily evaluations on the Detention Deputy’s progress. Becomes acquainted with the philosophy of the SO as well as the principles of direct supervision as practiced locally.  Maintains required levels of proficiency; participates in physical conditioning training and testing, and maintains required levels of physical fitness.

• Supports the relationship between Pitkin County government and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and County staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and County information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

• Maintains custody and control of inmates according to policies, procedures, and regulations; performs work within scope of authority and training; makes proper decisions using sound judgment.

• Maintains safety and security of the staff, inmates, and detention facilities; monitors behavior of inmates, and promotes acceptable attitude and conduct; performs tasks to maintain integrity and consistency of detention facility operations.

• Supervises inmate activities and maintains discipline; physically restrains uncooperative and disruptive inmates, and intervenes to deter fights, assaults, and escapes; solves problems within scope of authority.

• Provides equal protection and care for all inmates, including nutrition, hygiene, education, court and hospital transport, recreation, laundry, medical assistance, behavior monitoring and discipline.

• Watches inmates for rule violations and behavioral changes; de-escalates potentially violent situations; maintains appropriate use-of-force continuum as needed for self-defense, defense of another, and to prevent escape.

• Performs constant inspections and security checks of all PCSO facility areas; conducts head counts and area searches, and assures all areas of the facility are safe, secure, sanitary, and free of contraband.

• Provides leadership, guidance and basic work supervision of Detention Deputies.

• Enforces local, state and Federal laws, and enforces compliance with PCSO post orders and standards.

• Identifies and undertakes a significant functional responsibility (SFR).

• Maintains the integrity, professionalism, values, and goals of the Sheriff’s Office by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed, and that accountability and public trust are preserved.

This position follows a sequence:

• Deputy:

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

  • Must be at least 21 years of age and a U.S. Citizen.

  • Must successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation.

  • Must possess a valid Colorado Driver’s License and acceptable Motor Vehicle Record.

  • Up to 3 yearsof satisfactory PCSO work experience or related detention experience.

  • Bachelor's Degree preferred or equivalent education and work experience.

  • Must have successfully completed the internal PCSO Jail training program.

Additional Training:

Must have successfully completed Crisis Intervention Training (CIT).

• Senior Deputy:

  • 4 yearsof satisfactory PCSO work experience or related detention experience.

  • Must have successfully completed Certified Jail Officer (CJO) training.

  • Must have successfully completed Americans for Effective Law Enforcement (AELE) legal update training.

  • Must have successfully completed Survival Spanish.

Knowledge Of:

• County policies and procedures. 

• State and federal laws and regulations governing work performed.

• Record keeping and records management rules and standards.

Skill In:

• Handling multiple tasks simultaneously, under pressure, and in emergency and stressful situations.

• Interacting with people of different social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.

• Following and effectively communicating verbal and written instructions.

• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers and other regional emergency services agencies.

• Utilizing standard personal computer software programs and specialized state and County software.

• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

Work is performed in a jail environment and detention facilities; work involves intense concentration on activities going on around one’s location on a constant basis throughout the entire work shift.  Work occasionally involves personal danger, and potential exposure to hazardous, uncontrollable, and life-threatening situations; requires physical ability to subdue hostile individuals; and must be able to work in uniform during weekdays, weekends, and holidays on any assigned shift; required to meet physical standards of the Sheriff's Office.

Salary : $63 - $110