Job Description

Posting number: 41000016, 41000027, 41000028

Department: Sheriff's Office

Job classification: Corrections Deputy

Posting type: Open

Categories: Law Enforcement

The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office is hiring Corrections Officers as lateral hires! Experienced officers can earn up to $33.05/hr. plus 152 hours of vacation depending on experience.

Under limited supervision by a Jail Lieutenant or Sergeant, a Corrections Deputy is responsible for maintaining security and order in a controlled environment at the Ottawa County Jail. This role involves supervising inmates, enforcing rules and regulations, conducting searches, and ensuring the safety of inmates, staff, and visitors. Work is performed under established policies and procedures. Assignments and special orders are received from supervisors, who review work methods and results through reports, inspections, and instructions.

Note: Employees in this classification must be able to pass an extensive background and security investigation.

Examples of duties

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Receives and processes newly arrested individuals. Photographs and fingerprints suspects; reviews LEIN records for outstanding warrants, holds and detainers; reviews police reports; completes other required booking procedures; and assigns them to pre-trial housing unit.
• Issues inmate uniforms and bedding, inventories and receipts inmate personal property, supervises showering, and escorts inmates to assigned housing units.
• Reviews court orders and determines proper classification of newly sentenced inmates and assigns them to appropriate housing units.
• Escorts inmates to and from, and monitors them during video arraignments, professional and personal visits, medical treatment, religious services, rehabilitation programs and other out-of-cell activities. Searches inmates returning to the facility and processes inmates back into secure housing areas.
• Controls access to secure areas, monitoring security control screens and operating remote controls for electromechanical locking devices.
• Observes inmate conduct and behavior for evidence of prohibited activities, infractions of rules and regulations, mental illness and self-destructive behavior, and aggression towards other inmates. Searches inmates and inmate living quarters for weapons and other contraband articles.
• Investigates and prepares written reports of all inmate infractions of rules and regulations, all disturbances, and all contraband found in the possession of inmates.
• Physically subdues or restrains inmates, if necessary, to prevent injuries or to stop disturbances.
• Admits visitors in accordance with prescribed regulations; Delivers inmate mail.
• Conducts inmate wellness checks.
• Supervises inmates during meal service, medication distribution, and medical clinics.
• Releases inmates from the facility in accordance with the terms and conditions of their bonds, respective court orders and/or upon completion of their sentences.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

High school diploma or GED required. Associates or Bachelors degree in Corrections related field of study preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Must successfully complete a State of Michigan sanctioned corrections academy and obtain State of Michigan certification as a Corrections Officer within twelve (12) months of the date of hire.
• Must obtain First Aid and CPR certification within twelve (12) months of the date of hire.
• Must obtain Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) certification within twelve (12) months of the date of hire.

Supplemental information

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Basic knowledge of applied psychology, sociology and group dynamics.
• Basic knowledge of the principles and practices of criminology.
• Basic knowledge of Michigan Court Rules.
• Working knowledge of security practices and procedures.
• Good verbal and written communication skills and ability to prepare verbal and written reports.
• Good interpersonal skills and knowledge of practical conflict resolution with the ability to maintain behavioral control of inmates from all security levels.
• Ability to act without direct supervision.
• Sufficient computer literacy to operate, enter, and retrieve data from jail management systems, and the ability to operate touch screen control consoles and related equipment.
• Availability to work any or all shifts, as assigned.
• Ability to interact positively and professionally with a culturally diverse inmate population with varying levels of communication skills.
• Ability to sustain mental and physical stress and to react quickly, calmly, and effectively in emergencies.

Disclaimer:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned, at any time with or without notice.

Physical Requirements:

• Must possess sufficient strength, manual dexterity and mobility to physically search inmates and inmate living quarters, restrain or subdue inmates and/or remove inmates involuntarily from any location within the jail.
• Must have sufficient unassisted mobility to access all areas of the jail.
• Must be able to stand and/or walk for the entire length of shift in order to observe inmates.
• Must possess sufficient visual acuity with or without corrective lenses to observe inmates, inspect inmate living quarters for contraband, monitor security cameras and control panel displays and accurately aim a firearm.
• Must possess sufficiently acute sense of smell to be able to detect smoke, fire and contraband carried or being used by inmates.
• Must possess sufficient auditory acuity to hear alarms, warning signals, inmate conversations and other sounds indicating inmates engaged in prohibited behavior or using contraband.

Working Conditions:
Work is performed in close proximity to inmates in confined quarters and may entail exposure to physically aggressive and/or violent inmates, having to physically restrain inmates as circumstances require. May be exposed to inmates armed with a variety of homemade weapons. Exposure to inmate bodily fluids, with possible exposure to a variety of disease agents and to bloodborne pathogens. Must be able to work in a highly disciplined and structured environment and be able to maintain order and security.