Correctional Officer

Department      Sheriff

Classification     Grade 9

Reports to         Jail Sergeant

                             Assistant Jail Administrator

                             Jail Administrator

                             Chief Deputy Sheriff

                              County Sheriff

Unit                      LELS-Non-Licensed Local #402                                 

Supervises          N/A

FLSA Status        Non-exempt

Position Description 

Maintain security and ensure safety of inmates and staff in the jail by observing and monitoring inmate behavior; intake/release of inmates; supervise/discipline inmates, within established Department and Department of Corrections policies and procedures.  Prepare and maintain inmate records and reports.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Process people received at Intake, including fingerprints, mug shot, search, store property, obtain booking information. Qualify charges and ensure inmates are released after proper authorization.


• Responsible for providing a clean, safe and secure environment for inmates and staff.


• Monitor inmates: instruct in housekeeping and sanitation; enforce rules, observe and document behaviors; deescalate disturbances and altercations; maintain and update records including logs, incidents, profile information and forms.


• Perform well-being checks and initiate counts of inmates at regular and irregular intervals.


• Maintain proper security of inmates being transported: ensure all transportation orders are completed accurately and signed by the appropriate authority; institute proper restraints as appropriate for inmate custody classification; check transportation vehicle before and after transport.


• Monitor 60 plus security cameras to ensure officer safety and the security of the detention center. Operate Master Control through a touch screen interface.


• Administer and control medication, under the direction of the medical staff.


• Attend training as required.

Qualifications and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Minimum qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent.


• 2 years post-secondary education or work experience; Or equivalent combination (equate to 2 years).

• Successfully pass a comprehensive pre-employment background check, contingent upon a job offer.


• Successfully pass a pre-placement screen, contingent upon a job

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge: Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and computer systems relevant to the work performed. County and departmental policies, procedures and practices. Federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations relevant to the work performed. Basic life saving techniques.


• Skills: Time management. English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary. Customer service. Effective communication, both orally and written. Learn and apply self-defense techniques and response to resistance techniques. Judgment and discretion in dealing with inmates appropriately, including verbal encounters or physical posturing or intimidating behavior with an on-going threat of a situation becoming physical, which may require the physical restraint of inmates.


• Abilities: Work nights, weekends and holidays. Attend training/meetings, on an as needed basis, via a reliable means of transportation. Follow established procedures and directives from supervisors. Prioritize and multi-task to meet deadlines and maintain workflow. Maintain confidentiality and data privacy; safe working environment. Establish and maintain effective working relationships. Make decisions in response to emergency situations. Perform tasks simultaneously; function under stressful situations; deal with hostile or difficult inmates, which may include exposure to disagreeable odors, body fluids, hazardous chemicals, communicable diseases, mentally unstable individuals and individuals under the influence of controlled substances.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education (post–secondary degree).


• Work experience in corrections.


• Current certification in first aid, CPR.


• Related training.


• Education and/or work experience with computers.


• Work experience as a team leader and/or managing people.

Physical Requirements

To view the Functional Job Analysis, click here.

Note (Management Right)

The above position description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.  Regular attendance on the job and the performance of other duties as assigned are required.  The County retains the discretion to add or change the contents of this position description at any time.