Otero County Detention Officer

Otero County FT. Detention Officer
Employment Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Experience Required: Two (2) years of experience in corrections or law enforcement or a related field.

Minimum Education Requirements: High School Diploma or equivalent.

Department: Corrections

Direct Supervisor: Detention Lieutenant

Supervisory Responsibility: Direct (0); Indirect (0)

Primary Work Location: Works primarily indoors but may be required to perform tasks outside.

Certification: This position requires a valid New Mexico Driver’s License, possession of basic Detention Officer training certification; and possession of, or ability to obtain, a Firearms license.  May be required to obtain other certifications as necessary.

Job Summary: To perform a variety of duties involving maintaining custody and control of inmates being detained in the County Jail; enforce laws and departmental regulations that apply to detention and corrections; performs related duties as assigned.

Essential Job Functions

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential duties:

• Conduct routine patrol of detention facilities and grounds to ensure the safety and security of inmates; enforce laws and ordinances pertaining to detention.
• Supervise inmates during meetings, recreational and visiting periods, mealtimes, work assignments, or related activities.
• Assist with admission and discharge processing; issue clothing and supplies to new inmates, process transfers, and arrange transportation to and from court and other corrections facilities; dispense prescribed medications as appropriate.
• Conduct visual and physical searches of inmates for contraband, weapons, and narcotics; check on the orderliness and sanitary conditions of inmate quarters; arranges for clean-up of areas as required.
• Serve inmates meals daily; clean up dining area.
• Enforce inmate rules and regulations and apply disciplinary actions as required.
• Prepare routine reports on operations and activities; maintain a variety of logs and ledgers.
• Maintain inventory records of inmates’ possessions; release properties and money as required.
• Assist in securing facility during situations of unrest; follow outlined procedures for lock down; assist with investigation incidents and prepare reports.
• May assist in coordination inmate information with outside agencies and jurisdictions.
• Other duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA’s) for Position

An employee in this class must have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities upon application:

Knowledge

• Methods, procedure and regulations of corrections and detention.
• Laws pertaining to the enforcement of federal, state and local laws concerning correctional facilities.
• Computers and operation, as well as various other office machines.
• Report writing techniques.
• First-aid and CPR practices and techniques.
• Self-defense tactics.
• Thorough understanding of the County’s functions, policies, and procedures.

Skills

• Strong written and oral communications and relational skills.
• Public relations and customer service.
• Follow and relay complex oral and written instructions, policies, and procedures.
• Operate a variety of office equipment, including computer terminal, related software programs, printer, calculator, fax, and copier.
• Interpret laws pertaining to detention and corrections.
• Enforce federal, state, local laws and departmental regulations.
• Administer procedures to be used in emergency situations.

Abilities

• Provide First-aid and CPR techniques.
• Administer procedures to be used in emergency situations.
• Daily on-the-job training of subordinates.
• Observe details accurately, and recognize suspicious behavior.
• Prepare routine reports.
• Meet the physical requirements established by the department.
• Travel out of town for an extended amount of time for training, seminars, etc.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Physical Demands

The following physical abilities are required:

• Subduing, resisting individual
• Chasing fleeing subject
• Running, walking, crouching or crawling during emergency operations.
• Moving equipment and injured/deceased persons in weights, 30 pounds to excess of 100 pounds.
  • Climbing stairs/ladders.
  • Performing life-saving and rescue procedure.
  • Walking, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time.
  • Operating assigned police equipment and vehicle.
• Effectively deal with personal danger which may include exposure to:
  • Armed/dangerous person.
  • Communicable diseases.
• Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:
  • Making observations
  • Communications with others
  • Reading and writing
  • Operating assigned equipment and vehicle

Work Environment

Office/detention facility environment; exposure to dangerous persons, firearms, and body fluids, and noise; may be exposed to emergency situations; may work in stressful situations.

Safety Requirements

The employee is expected to follow all safety procedures as required.

**This position description is a general guideline for work behavior and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all job duties.  Therefore, it is also not, nor can it be implied to be, a contract of employment.  The contents of this position description may be changed without notice, and employment may be terminated by either party, at will.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.