Detention Officer

Alachua County Sheriff's Office

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Apr 2, 2024

Starting Pay: $21.53/Hr.

Bonus: Annual education incentive: Associate’s Degree $636, Bachelor’s Degree $1,044, Master’s Degree $1,536. Recruitment and Retention Incentive of $5,000

Overview

Highly responsible security work maintaining physical custody and control of inmates within the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Department of the Jail. Responsible for receiving and processing inmates, enforcing disciplinary procedures for the control of inmate behavior, including the application of restraint and use of force techniques, and the preparation of reports and documents necessary for operational procedures.

Work is performed under the direction of the Detention Sergeant or a higher level supervisor. Performance is evaluated through conferences, observation, results and appropriate employee performance appraisals.

Responsibilities

  • Makes periodic tours of the jail to inspect for security, including head counts
  • Releases inmates from cell areas to outside recreation areas or other program areas; operates security doors and equipment
  • Receives prisoners from law enforcement officers and adheres to clearly established procedures for inmate processing including: searching, fingerprinting, photographing, and posting personal items to trust fund account cards
  • Releases inmates from jail on proper authorization and returns articles of clothing and other personal property to the inmate
  • Receives and reviews cash and security bail bonds for accuracy and authenticity
  • Prepare disposition reports of prisoners confined in the facility
  • Consults superior on requests for visits by attorneys, members of the inmates’ families and other authorized persons according to established rules and regulations
  • Answer routine inmate questions
  • Supervise the distribution of meals in inmate housing areas
  • Transport inmates to and from court appearances as required
  • Make observations of inmate attitude, behavior and physical conditions and reports problems to shift commander or treatment staff as required
  • Restrain inmates for the protection of themselves or others through the use of defensive tactics, OC spray or Taser equipment
  • Perform related duties as required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Will be required to work any shift assigned by a shift supervisor, to include days, evenings and/or nights.  Assigned shift subject to change without prior notice
  • May be required to work overtime with or without prior notice

WORK CONDITIONS:

  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works near loud, moving mechanical parts. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places, and may be occasionally exposed to airborne particles or fumes; toxic or caustic chemicals; outdoor weather conditions; extreme heat and cold; and/or other adverse conditions
  • The noise level in the work environment may occasionally be unusually loud

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSING:

  • CJSTC/FDLE Correctional Officer Certification
  • Current, valid Florida driver license

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

  • Meet or exceed all applicable standards required of Corrections Officers 
  • Successfully complete the ACSO Field Training Officer program requirements
  • Must meet or exceed all applicable physical agility standards required by ACSO
  • Meet requirements for use of defensive tactics and use of issued or available equipment, including OC spray and Taser

Qualifications

EDUCATION:

  • High school diploma/GED

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Sit, stand, and/or walk for moderate periods
  • Have good close, distant, color, peripheral, depth, and adjusted vision
  • Hear at normal range
  • Speak, read, write, and understand English fluently
  • Lift/carry 150 pounds
  • Push/pull moderate to heavy loads
  • Climb, balance, and reach with arms
  • Bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl
  • Taste and smell
  • Manual dexterity
  • Drive a vehicle
  • Pass ACSO’s Standard Physical Agility Test as required
  • Pass Defensive Tactics course in-service training as required
  • Pass all other courses and training required by ACSO/CJSTC for Detention Officer

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  • Knowledge of the rules, regulations and procedures of the department relating to the confinement and release of prisoners
  • Knowledge of security practices and emergency services
  • Knowledge of the safe and proper use of firearms, OC Spray, and Taser equipment
  • Knowledge and understanding of the attitudes and behavior patterns of persons under restraint
  • Ability to keep records and prepare reports
  • Ability to enforce regulations with firmness, tact and impartiality
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, inmates, outside law enforcement officers and the public
  • Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing