Corrections Officer

Responsibilities:

Assures the services delivered by the Sheriff’s Office meet quality and timeliness standards.

Monitors cameras to observe inmate movement and interaction and document any unusual occurrences.

Controls doors throughout the facility to control access into and out of various parts of the facility.

Communicates with inmates to provide and receive information.

Maintains daily activity log for succeeding shifts.

Transfers inmates to and from Bonding to other areas within the Jail.

Receives criminal histories of inmates.

Conducts headcounts of inmates in their daily activities of recreation, work, and other multiple locations.

Maintains constant vigilance for unusual or questionable activity by inmates.

Assists other officers as needed.

Releases inmates to work releases and checks work release inmates back into the facility.

Delivers inmate food trays and picks them up at the end of meal periods.

Receives and delivers inmate request forms, including visitation, commissary, medical, and other requests.

Conducts pat downs of incoming arrestees for security and safety of inmates and staff.

Obtains personal information on inmates for booking process including medical history, suicidal tendencies, next of kin, place of birth, tattoos, address, phone, and other related information.

Updates information and processes arrestees into the jail.

Photographs and fingerprints arrestees and inmates for local and out of county agencies.

Assists Judge in magistration by preparing proper forms and rosters.

Prepares necessary paperwork and interviews inmates for criminal history, violent and aggressive tendencies, escape history, etc. to determine the most suitable housing assignment.

Locates appropriate inmates for assignment to trustee position (inmate worker).

Enters data into inmate classification files.

Updates and produces various lists, documents and forms maintained on the computer.

Resolves disputes involving inmates.

Maintains inmate phone system as directed.

Provides a uniform procedure of inmate visitation so all inmates that have completed the policy requirements may have visitors.

Answers and files requests from inmates pertaining to visitation.

Provides for the safety and security of inmates and staff by ensuring the care, custody and control of the inmate and protecting the inmate from themselves and others.

May operate the commissary funds by making deposits and withdrawals from inmate accounts as they order commissary items and invoices inmates accounts for payments while ensuring total accuracy by balancing accounts daily.

Delivers commissary items to inmates.

May make bank deposits, write checks and balances checking accounts.

May account for and handle petty cash as needed.

Provides the equipment and supplies needed to maintain a clean environment to which to live.

Prohibits the growth and spread of disease, varmints, rodents, and parasites.

May supervise the Jail laundry ensuring clothing and other articles are washed, disinfected, and clean on a regular basis promoting a clean work environment for fellow employees and inmates.

Escorts inmates to see family members in emergency situations, including critical illness, death, funeral, and other similar situations as well as scheduled doctor and dentist appointments, warrants, court commitments, hospitals, and other locations as authorized.

Visually checks inmates and provides safety measures for inmates while working grounds maintenance outside the facility proper and directs inmates in the conduct of work to be performed.

Provides meals for the inmates while on ground maintenance details and works with classification officers to decide who may go outside the jail setting to work grounds maintenance.

Assists inmates with daily work assignments and solves problems and answers questions from inmates.

Catalogues and processes evidence to make sure the chain of custody is followed and items are stored in accordance with policies and procedures.

Keeps records on evidence and property and files proper records to place property tags with case files and property control sheets.

Researches cases and dispositions.

Photographs and fingerprints the public for job requirements, concealed weapon permits, and other related requirements.

Picks up inmate mail from each picket and delivers mail to the post office.

Delivers inner office mail to and from the Sheriff’s Office and Government Center.

Screens incoming mail to inmates for contraband.

Logs incoming legal mail for attorneys, courts, Department of Justice, and other similar reasons.

Responds directly to inmate requests to provide assistance, as needed using in-house or referral sources.

Communicates via telephone with the public answering their questions.

Releases inmates on their scheduled release date after verifying that it is the inmates release date.

Accepts cash bonds, surety bonds, attorney bonds, out-of-county bonds and fine money and releases inmates upon receipt of the appropriate bond.

Requires the employee to be able to render credible testimony in any court proceeding to include Justice Courts, County Courts, District Courts and any U.S. Federal Court.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Required:

Professional knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision of inmates.

Professional knowledge of correction practices.

Proficient knowledge of legally acceptable restraint methods.

Proficient knowledge of methods and techniques to dispel a situation.

Proficient knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, statutes, regulations, rules, policies, and procedures.

Exceptional knowledge of Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures applicable to the jail.

General knowledge of Hays County regulations, policies, and procedures.

General knowledge of radio procedures.

General knowledge of inmate rights and privileges.

Skills Required:

Professional skill in interacting with inmates in a proactive, non-judgmental manner.

Proficient skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, inmates, and the public.

Exceptional skill in following oral and written instructions.

Exceptional skill in observing the actions of others and forecasting those actions into future behaviors.

Exceptional skill in oral communications for administrative and technical purposes.

Exceptional skill in maintaining a calm and confident attitude during emergency, stressful or critical incident situations.

Exceptional skill in demonstrating competency with Sheriff’s Office firearms.

General computer skills.

General organizational skills.

General skill in expressing oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

General skill in negotiating and persuading individuals.

Exceptional skill in interacting with individuals from all socio-economic backgrounds.

Education and/or Experience:

High School diploma or GED.

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to the required education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Experience in corrections preferred.

Other Qualifications, Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:

Licensed TCOLE Basic Jailer must be obtained within one year of hire date in position.

Ability to maintain continuing education requirements as outlined by TCOLE.

Class C TX driver’s license.

Must be 20 years of age.

Must pass typing test at 15 WPM.

Full-Time