Detention Officer (Transportation)

The purpose of the class is to provide for the safety of staff and inmates and the security of the Detention Center; to supervise inmate activities; and to perform related corrections and law enforcement work as assigned. This class works according to some procedures but decides how or when to do things; work is reviewed regularly by supervisor.

The tasks listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional tasks related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

Maintains the security and safety of the Detention Center, inmates and staff through implementation of established policies and procedures.

Monitors jail access and egress.

Monitors security cameras, closed circuit TV system, alarm systems, automated locking systems and other specialized security equipment.

Processes and books inmates; searches, photographs and fingerprints inmates; secures inmates’ property and issues supplies.

Supervises meals, visitation, recreation and exercise, telephone privileges, counseling, court visits, movement within the facility, and medical attention; conducts head counts regularly.

Ensures that inmates are provided with appropriate sanitary conditions, clothing and supplies; may administer medications as prescribed; administers First Aid and/or CPR as required.

Patrols facility to ensure security; inspects locking and security devices and doors for proper working condition.

Routinely searches inmates, cells, kitchen and other inmate-accessible areas for contraband and other safety and security hazards.

Observes and maintains orderly conduct among inmate population; subdues unruly or violent individuals; responds to emergency situations on jail property; investigates incidents, crimes, disputes, abuse of drugs, etc., among inmates and detainees.

Processes inmates for release as ordered.

Transports inmates to court or to other facilities as required.

Completes and maintains required paperwork.

Performs custodial and general maintenance of jail facility and equipment.

Communicates with law enforcement personnel, probation and parole officers, court personnel, victim advocates, attorneys, volunteers, clergy, medical care practitioners, and others regarding individual cases.

Performs special duties or completes special projects as assigned.

Receives and responds to citizens’ inquiries, concerns and complaints concerning detention facility activities.

Remains on call 24 hours per day, seven days per week, for emergency response.

Performs general clerical work as required, including compiling information and statistics for reports, preparing reports and records, maintaining logs, entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents, processing daily mail, answering the telephone, etc.

Attends periodic training, seminars, meetings, etc., to keep abreast of current detention, law enforcement and investigative trends, technology and legislation; maintains required physical fitness and required level of proficiency in the use of firearms.

Requires gathering, organizing, analyzing, examining or evaluating data or information and may prescribe action based on such data or information.

Requires speaking or signaling to people to convey or exchange information of a general nature.

Requires leading, operating or repairing complex machinery or equipment that requires extended training and experience, such as firearms, emergency response vehicles, etc., or the application of custom administrative software or systems; may involve installation and testing. Involves operations of limited scope.

Requires performing semi-skilled work involving set procedures and rules but with frequent problems.

Requires using basic addition and subtraction, such as making change or measuring.

Requires reading routine sentences, instructions, regulations, procedures or work orders; writing routine sentences and completing routine job forms and incident reports; speaking routine sentences using proper grammar.

Requires doing clerical, manual or technical tasks requiring a wide range of procedures and requiring intensive understanding of a restricted field or complete familiarity with the functions of a unit or small division of an operating agency; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results or occasional exposure to unusual pressure.

Requires high school diploma or GED equivalent supplemented by the completion of required law enforcement coursework.

Must possess and maintain Basic Jail Officer certification from the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy.

Must possess CPR / First Aid certifications.

Must possess a valid state driver’s license.

Must meet other requirements as set forth in applicable South Carolina statutes and regulations.

Requires a short demonstration up to and including one month.

Tasks involve the ability to exert moderate, though not constant, physical effort, typically involving some combination of driving, walking, running, climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which 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 correctional officer work, must be able to defend one's self from assault and to restrain inmates of varying weights.

The job may risk exposure to extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, traffic, disease/pathogens, violence, bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, fumes and/or noxious odors, electrical shock, heights, disease/pathogens, toxic/caustic chemicals, explosives.

The job requires normal visual acuity, depth perception, and field of vision, hearing and speaking abilities, and color perception.

Responsible for guiding others, requiring frequent decisions affecting co-workers, inmates and others who depend on the service or product; works in a somewhat fluid environment with rules and procedures but with many variations from the routine.