CORRECTIONS OFFICER-FT

General Summary

Under the direct supervision of a shift commander (Corrections Sergeant), maintains the security, custody, and care requirements of an assigned area of the County Jail. Receives, processes, supervises, transports, and releases inmates; maintains records; and carries out assignments in accordance with Corrections Division and Sheriff's Department policies and procedures.

Essential Functions

1.      Receives and processes inmates through the computerized booking system, including fingerprinting, photographing, collecting personal property, completing required documentation, and escorting inmates to assigned housing units.

2.      Conducts regular floor counts, cell checks, and security inspections to ensure inmates are accounted for and properly secured. Observes inmate behavior and takes appropriate action in response to fights, property damage, medical concerns, rule violations, or other incidents.

3.      Distributes meals to inmates and collects and accounts for dishes and eating utensils.

4.      Releases inmates from cells for authorized visits, court appearances, medical appointments, programs, recreation, and other approved activities.

5.      Maintains logs of shift activity and prepares accurate incident, disciplinary, transport, release, and other required reports. Confers with members of the prior and incoming shifts regarding potential problems and significant events.

6.      Oversees inmate workers and monitors assigned work details.

7.      Conducts searches of inmates, cells, property, and facility areas to detect weapons, contraband, safety concerns, and security violations.

8.      Distributes medications and provides other authorized care. Performs CPR, first aid, and other emergency response procedures when required.

9.      Processes and releases inmates as authorized, verifies release documentation, returns personal property, and maintains required release records.

10.    Transports inmates to and from court, hospitals, medical providers, other correctional facilities, and other authorized destinations.

11.    Guards inmates in hospitals, courts, and other locations outside the County Jail as assigned.

12.    Performs Court Officer duties when assigned.

13.    Operates County vehicles safely and in accordance with applicable laws and Department policies.

14.    Communicates effectively over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications, including under adverse or emergency conditions.

15.    Loads, unloads, aims, and fires handguns and other authorized agency firearms from a variety of positions in circumstances that justify the use of force, while maintaining emotional control under extreme stress.

16.    Manages interpersonal conflicts and applies de-escalation techniques to maintain safety, security, and order.

17.    Performs searches of persons that require touching and feeling to detect potential weapons and contraband.

18.    Reads, understands, and applies laws, court orders, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure appropriate officer conduct and response when interacting with inmates and the public.

19.    Controls and subdues resisting or combative individuals using approved defensive tactics and authorized less-lethal equipment consistent with law and Department policy.

Other Functions

1.      Receives inmate requests for commissary items; obtains and records authorized withdrawals from inmate accounts; and assists with maintaining accurate inmate trust account records.

2.      Performs cleaning tasks in jail areas when necessary.

3.      Assists inmates with authorized personal needs and materials.

4.      Makes daily record entries and prepares periodic summaries concerning inmate counts, unusual occurrences, and related activities.

5.      Maintains inmate release and other assigned records.

6.      Assists the Road Patrol Division or other Department units as directed during emergencies.

7.      After completing Department-approved training and gaining sufficient experience, provides field training to probationary Corrections Officers.

8.      Performs other related duties as assigned.

This list may not be inclusive of the total scope of job functions to be performed. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or modified at any time.

Employment Qualifications

Education: High school diploma or GED equivalent. College coursework in corrections, criminal justice, or a related field is preferred.

Experience: Experience in county corrections or a related correctional setting is preferred.

Training: Must successfully complete, or have completed, the Michigan Sheriffs' Coordinating and Training Council (MSCTC) 160-hour Local Corrections Officer Academy when required.

Licenses and Certifications: Must possess and maintain a valid Michigan driver's license with an acceptable driving record. Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid Concealed Pistol License (CPL), as required by the Department.

Other Requirements: Must be at least 18 years of age, be a United States citizen, and have no felony convictions. Must successfully complete all required selection procedures, including the written examination, physical agility examination, oral interview, comprehensive background investigation, and any other pre-employment requirements established by the County or Sheriff's Department.

Written Examination: Must have passed the Michigan Sheriffs' Association EMPCO written examination and submit documentation within the time period specified in the job posting. Registration information is available through EMPCO.

Physical Agility Examination: Must have passed the required physical agility examination within the time period specified in the job posting. Testing information is available through EMPCO.

Good Moral Character: Must possess good moral character as determined through a favorable comprehensive background investigation, including review of education and employment records, use of illegal controlled substances, state and federal fingerprint records, home environment, personal traits, and integrity.

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. They should not be viewed as absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines to be considered with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.

Position Classification

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Worker's Compensation Code:

7720 - Police Officers / Corrections Officers

Occupational Employment Statistical Code:

33-3012 - Correctional Officers and Jailers

Physical Requirements

This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the following requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants or employees who are unable to perform one or more requirements because of a disability, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship or create a direct threat.

1.      Ability to subdue unruly or combative inmates, break up fights, and use approved defensive tactics and equipment.

2.      Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, or assist another officer in moving a person, including moving an unconscious person to safety in an emergency.

3.      Ability to walk throughout the facility to conduct cell, floor, and building checks and to stand or walk for extended periods.

4.      Ability to drive a vehicle during inmate transports and other assigned duties.

5.      Ability to bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, reach, handle, finger, and feel in order to search persons and areas, detect contraband, operate equipment, and perform other duties.

6.      Ability to speak and hear sufficiently to communicate in person, by telephone, and by radio, including in noisy or emergency conditions.

7.      Visual ability sufficient for close and distance acuity, depth perception, field of vision, accommodation, color recognition, and performance of duties during both daytime and nighttime conditions.

8.      Ability to work in confined or enclosed environments and to wear required protective equipment, including respiratory protection, without being unable to perform the essential functions of the position.

Working Conditions

1.      Work is performed both indoors and outdoors and may involve exposure to extreme temperatures and adverse weather and driving conditions during transports.

2.      Frequent exposure to inmates in varying states of hygiene, health, and emotional condition, including individuals who may be verbally abusive, physically aggressive, mentally ill, or under the influence of substances.

3.      Exposure to infectious diseases, bodily fluids and waste, toxic or biological agents, and other potentially hazardous materials.

4.      Exposure to physical hazards, including assaults, fights, weapons, moving mechanical parts, electrical hazards, fire, smoke, and potential hostage situations.

5.      Work requires the use of or proximity to patrol cars and vans, firearms, handcuffs, fire and alarm equipment, cameras, telephones, radios, computers, protective clothing, respirators, batons, conducted electrical weapons, and chemical agents.