Jailer/Dispatcher

Description

FEMALE PREFERRED:

Per the Department of Corrections and MN Statue 2911.0900 Subp.10. Supervision of inmates of opposite gender. Staff members shall not be placed in positions of responsibility for the supervision and welfare of inmates of the opposite gender in circumstances that can be described as invasion of privacy, degrading, or humiliating to the inmates. When staff of one gender are used as program resource personnel with inmates of the opposite gender, staff of the inmates' gender must be on duty and in the facility.

The Jailer/Dispatcher is responsible for carrying out the day-to-day operations of the jail and public safety dispatch center. The Jailer/Dispatcher performs activities that create and maintain a safe and secure environment for the residents of the Jackson County Jail, staff, and general public who enter the jail facility. Generates essential data and records for courts, administration, Local, State, and Federal Agencies. Responds to 911 emergencies, dispatches the appropriate emergency services and maintains contact with emergency personnel via radio while they are in the field.

The Jailer/Dispatcher is responsible for their own work and may act as the Officer in Charge in the absence of a supervisor for shift purposes.

Duties/Responsibilities

Performs tasks necessary to book prisoners and introduce them to the jail facility.

Meets prisoners in the security garage, performs pat search, removes personal items, and checks for weapons, drugs, and other contraband; may administer a urinalysis specimen collection;

Takes prisoner to the booking room, completes paperwork and makes correct computer, jail register, and other record entries as necessary; fingerprints prisoners, obtains medical information, and takes photographs; issues jail uniforms and toiletry articles and jail handbook;

Classifies prisoner and assigns them to a cell based on an assessment of charges against the individual, physical and mental condition, and statutory requirements regarding separation of prisoners;

Determines conditions of release of a prisoner; based on protocols, determines if a bond is appropriate and whether the prisoner should be released on his written promise to appear or if he should be held on no bond until the prisoner is brought before a judge.

Supervises prisoners within the cells and cellblock area in order to protect the health and safety of staff, visitors and prisoners.

Oversees prisoners’ daily needs/wants per policy; controls the movement of prisoners within the cells and cellblock area; takes prisoners from cells to programs, visitors, bible studies, church, movies, etc.; delivers and picks up meals; orders special meals for prisoners on restricted diets;

Operates the prisoner canteen, including keeping records of prisoners’ money and accounts, purchasing and distributing items, and balancing prisoner accounts;

Supervises and controls the visitation and phone privileges of prisoners to maintain the security of the jail and ensure compliance with statutory requirements relating to domestic abuse and sexual assault victims, as well as any applicable court orders; monitors phone calls from prisoners; checks the prisoners’ mail on a daily basis for contraband; maintains control of all materials entering the cellblock area;

Supervises functions in the day room; monitors the interaction between prisoners and separates prisoners before disputes or tensions get out of control;

Releases prisoners to work and sentence to serve and ensures they are at work;

Handles prisoners’ grievances, violations, hearings, discipline, and sanctions as appropriate;

Assesses prisoners’ medical conditions and identifies suspected drug use; determines whether a drug test should be administered; determines if a prisoner should be transferred to another facility such as detox, medical facility, mental health facility, or another jail; Distributes medications as prescribed by doctor or as per doctor’s standing orders;

Applies Use of Force, including the use of restraints, according to established policy;

Testifies in Court regarding prisoner activities, statements, and/or any criminal activity within the jail;

Accepts bond from bail bondsmen and/or cash bond from defendants or the public.

Performs cleaning and laundry duties.

Completes laundry of towels, clothing, bedding, etc. on a regular basis;

Supervises inmates as they clean cells and jail areas daily;

Cleans dishes as needed;

Disinfects day room and other open spaces regularly.

Transports inmates as needed to health care providers, courts, other jails and prisons, mental health centers, court, and other facilities and ensures the safe and secure handling of prisoners during transport.

Attends required training classes and completes qualifications necessary to maintain required certifications.

Dispatch Duties:

Answers all 911 calls, performs emergency service dispatch and responses to informational or administrative calls to the department.

Responds to citizen requests for assistance, determining the problem and then deciding on the proper response and the emergency service provider who should be dispatched to respond to the call; monitors the availability of units in the field and dispatches based on the nature of the emergency, unit availability and estimated response time;

Relays information and responds to requests from units dispatched to a call;

Monitors the status of all emergency service units that are on duty at any given time;

Provides dispatch for Rural Electric Association on nights, weekends, and holidays;

Answers phones for the Sheriff’s Office and directs calls for all staff;

Issues burn permits for DNR.

Provides civil defense response in times of inclement weather and other civil emergencies.

Monitors weather conditions and works with the National Weather Service to determine watches and warnings;

Puts out alerts to fire departments, EMS and local police departments;

Calls parks, campgrounds and county weather spotters in times of emergency inclement weather;

Sets off sirens as needed in emergency situations.

Maintains the Department’s records system, including state computer and dispatch computer systems according to established guidelines.

Determines what information may be entered into the various computer databanks based on state established criteria;

Maintains State Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) certification;

Runs criminal histories and background checks for various agencies;

Enters stolen items, runaways, etc. for all County agencies and searches computer databanks for the same;

Generates initial complaints and performs data entry and data corrections for persons and businesses.

Monitors all alarms for County buildings, responds when alarms are triggered, and tests alarms regularly.

Performs Other Related Functions as Apparent or Assigned.

Qualifications

The job requires a high school diploma, some additional related training and at least one year of related experience, or equivalent. Formal training in law enforcement is preferred. A valid driver’s license is required.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

Certification by NCIC and the State for state computer system;

Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and department policies related to law enforcement;

Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations; ability to make appropriate decisions during critical incidents; ability to de-escalate confrontational or aggressive behaviors;

Ability to maintain integrity and competence;

Requires computer skills and basic bookkeeping skills;

Effective oral and written communication skills.

Create a positive work environment of equity and inclusion.

Promote a spirit of teamwork and cooperation among all employees and provide a work environment of mutual respect.

Maintains appropriate professional boundaries.