Correctional Officer

WARD COUNTY
POSITION DESCRIPTION

DEPARTMENT: Sheriff’s Department                             SALARY GRADE:  18

POSITION TITLE:  Correctional Officer                          STATUS:  Non-exempt 

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:  Jail Shift Supervisor         STORM ESSENTIAL: Yes 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:   No
 

NAME: _______________________________________________________________

EMPLOYEE’S SIGNATURE:____________________________ DATE :____________

SUPERVISOR’S SIGNATURE:__________________________ DATE:____________

1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

 This position is located at the Ward County Jail.  Duties at this level are  performed independently with less supervision and incumbents are considered  fully functioning correction officers. This job description is not a contract and is  subject to change.

 A Correctional Officer shall perform duties associated with security, care,  custody and control of inmates in the correctional facility.

2. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (“.” Indicates essential function)

 Note:  The duties listed below are not intended to be all-inclusive.  Duties  assigned any individual employee are at the discretion of the appointing  authority. 

 Duties Performed at all levels include:
• Provide for overall security and maintain order and discipline.
• Supervise inmates in daily activities.
• Conduct searches and daily head counts.
• Perform irregular checks of inmate housing, recreational, work areas, and facility perimeter.
• Provide for the safety and well-being of inmates and ensure proper health maintenance and hygiene.
• Observe conduct and behavior of inmates to prevent disturbances and escapes; report observations to Shift Supervisor.
• Process admissions of all inmates entering the facility to include:
. Make an immediate assessment of inmates to determine security and safety needs; ascertain the disposition of inmate requiring special placement
. Conduct body search(s)
. Issue detention clothing, toiletries, and linens
. Verify and administer inmate medications

. Obtain urine samples and complete urinalysis
. Notify immediate family and/or required personnel
. Property and Money Inventory
. Documentation in daily logs
. Place meal orders
. Secure keys and restraints

• Conducts searches of all articles, inmate property, and mail entering or leaving the facility, using specialized equipment as needed
• Manage specialized restraint equipment
• Conduct inmate transfers and discharges to include dispersing money, medications, identifications, and necessary documents
• Communicate with outside agencies/entities to provide services to the facility and for the inmates
• Assist in the training, development, and supervision of new trainee’s
• Ensure inmate compliance with regulations, memorandums, policies, and procedures
• Perform “on call” duties as required
• Interact with inmates, including crisis intervention
• Document daily activities in appropriate logs
• Perform checks/patrols of facility perimeter, inmate housing, recreational, and work areas
• Conduct irregular room checks on inmates and attend to requests, complaints, and immediate future needs
• Monitors building security and safety, operates monitors, door locks, and completes maintenance and building security checks
• Administers, verifies, and documents inmate medications
• Supervises recreation, dayroom activity, programs, admissions, releases, appointments, work details, transports, and sick call
• Escorts and/or transports inmates: court appointments, court hearings, recreation, library, sick call, medical appointments, counseling appointments, and other activities and programs
• Write/file reports as required, document in daily logs, write “pass-ons”, grievances, and assist in the completion of facility records
• Escorts, monitors, and screens for security purposes all authorized visitors; verifies visitors for inmates; arranges, escorts to, and monitors visitation
• Monitors by sight and/or sound all inmate contact with all visitors
• Distributes inmate meals and snacks and collects, verifies, and logs all information
• Communicates with agencies determining inmate status, court dates, transports, and releases
• Perform “shakedowns” of the facility
• Attend trainings and meetings
• Responds to facility emergencies such as fires, escapes, evacuations and natural disasters
• Must have an insurable driving record

• Assists in day to day operations of the facility to include but not limited to: 
. Answer phones
. Mail distribution
. Office maintenance
. Supply inventory
. Laundry
. Communicate with the general public
. Office janitorial duties

• Administer CPR and First Aid

• Duties include completing a variety of recurring activities independently

 Working Relationships at all levels:
 A correctional officer should promote teamwork and interdepartmental  cooperation.  Readily share information with other correctional officer staff and  resolve conflicts through the use of tact and diplomacy.

 A correctional officer should be willing to accept and work well when given  responsibility. He/She should be self-starters, eager to learn new jobs, take  initiative, and constantly strive to improve themselves.  A positive outlook should  be maintained when interacting with co-workers and/or the public and frequent  suggestions should be offered by the correctional officer on how to improve their  performance with a job task.
 

3. SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED:

 Work is performed under the supervision of the Jail Shift Supervisor or in their  absence the senior Correctional Officer and the Assistant Jail Commander and  Jail Commander. This is accomplished through a delegation of authority and  expected compliance with established policies and procedures.  Unusual or  complicated problems and  medical emergencies may be referred to the Jail  Commander for further guidance or decision.  All non-emergency situations may  be referred to the Shift Supervisor.  The correctional officer is expected to rely on  his/her training, judgment, experience, and knowledge to resolve problems.

 Correctional Officers exercise no control over other correctional officer’s unless  specifically designated to do so.

 Performance is evaluated through direct observation, review of assigned work,  projects, and reports, and compliance with established policies and procedures.

4. POSITION QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES):
 (“.” indicates essential functions)

 Knowledge
• High School Diploma or GED

• Twelve months experience in a position requiring interaction and/or service to the public or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Knowledge of the fundamentals of human nature and behavior and the written and oral English language
• General knowledge of basic computer programs to include spreadsheet  applications and word processing programs

 Basic Skills
• Writing, reading, speaking, and listening to the English language
• Effectively communicating with others both orally and in writing
• Communicate under pressure, in emergencies, and under stress
• Effectively and cordially communicate with other staff members, inmates, other agencies and the public
• Must have good judgment in defusing explosive situations and working with disturbed personalities during crisis periods in their lives

Abilities
• Employee must have good hearing so that they can be aware of things that could be going on when not present in the dayroom

Applicants for Correctional Officer must successfully complete:
• Psychological examination
• Orientation and on-the-job training program
• Basic Correctional Officer Training Course
• Possess a valid North Dakota driver’s license (unless the applicant is currently in  the military)
• Pass an extensive background check
• First Aid Certification
• CPR Certification
• Medical Training I & II courses

 
5. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS: These support the  essential functions.

 Requires periods of standing, sitting, walking and stair climbing.  Officers are  also required to run short distances, bend, kneel, lift objects of moderately heavy  weight (up to 75 lbs), climb ladders and stairs, stretch and reach, be on his/her  feet for long periods of time, and physically restrain inmates.

 Hazardous Working Condition
• Work includes exposure to hazardous conditions resulting in a risk of serious physical injury requiring medical attention and some lost time from work
• Exposure occurs on a periodic or intermittent basis
• Generally works in an environmentally controlled area within the Jail facility
• Atmosphere is normally tense and may be hostile
• Mental demands may be very stressful

• Correctional officers deal with all manner of inmates in all kinds of physical, mental, and emotional conditions including contagious diseases and loss of control of bodily functions
• Officers are subjected to rude, vulgar, and obscene language, gestures or behavior
• Officers are required to perform body searches on inmates

6. WORK ENVIRONMENT:

 This position may be required to work varied schedules Monday-Sunday  including nights, weekends and holidays. This position frequently moves about  the Jail facility. 

 
7. OTHER ASSIGNMENTS:

 County department heads and supervisors reserve the right to amend the  functions assigned this position, either temporarily or permanently, at any time as  they determine the best interest of their departments.  Further, employees may  be assigned other or additional functions to fill-in during the absence of other  employees or vacancies in other positions