Detention Officer - Sheriff's Office

DETENTION OFFICER – Sheriff's Office

Detention Officers supervise inmates who are confined 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the Tarrant County Confinement system to ensure the safe keeping of all inmate property and maintain care for all persons in the custody of the Sheriff. The position may also perform basic administrative duties to arrange and coordinate the surrender and transfer of individuals accused or convicted of offenses outside the territory of the asylum state and within the territorial jurisdiction of Texas.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs required duties in all areas of assigned responsibilities.
• Maintains physical fitness required to perform essential job duties.
• Immediately responds to emergency situations and routine drills.
• Uses reasonable force when necessary to prevent a direct threat to the health and safety of individuals in jail facilities.
• Supervises inmate feeding and monitors those with special dietary needs.
• Supervises the cleaning of jail housing area.
• Supervises inmate movement within the facility.
• Distributes mail, hygiene items and approved items to inmates.
• Supervises inmate recreational activities.
• Utilizes emergency equipment, including all fire and emergency medical equipment.
• Works assigned shift.
• Enforces all applied rules and regulations of the position.
• Remains current on all departmental and bureau policies and procedures and ensures they are followed.
• Handles volatile situations quickly, responsively and professionally.
• Maintains control and custody of inmates during tour of duty.
• Maintains safety and security of assigned facilities.
• Completes mandatory paperwork relating to the custody and care of inmates.
• Produces legal documents required in daily performance of duties.
• Conducts security checks as required.
• Attends and completes all training required by statute or TCOLE to maintain required certification(s) and license(s).
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Good interpersonal and public relations skills.
• Experience or training in public speaking desirable.
• Ability to understand, interpret and apply court orders, state statutes, and administrative rules.
• Ability to prepare official documents such as forms, affidavits, incident reports, and inmate processing documents.
• Proficiency in defensive tactics requiring physical force, including firearms if required.
• Knowledge of Jail Standards, State statutes, TCSD Civil Service Rules, Tarrant County Employee Handbook, and TCSO policies.
• Knowledge of basic word processing software and county and jail information systems.
• Ability to control emotions and focus on professional duties under provocation or stress.
• Ability to communicate necessary information calmly and clearly.
• Ability to create accurate, clear, concise, and grammatically correct reports.
• Ability to work with diverse populations to meet Department mission and public interest.
• Ability to focus personal efforts and participate in team efforts toward continuous performance improvement.
• Ability to actively seek opportunities to increase knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Ability to actively listen and practice good listening techniques.
• Ability to foster positive working relationships with team members and supervisors.
• Ability to take appropriate action to accomplish assigned duties and accept accountability for outcomes.
• Ability to use appropriate physical force when necessary to prevent serious injury.

Minimum Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum 18 years of age.
• Must obtain Jailer License within one (1) year.
• Must possess a valid driver license and obtain a Texas license within 30 days of hiring.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is regularly required to stand frequently, sit, twist the upper body, lift, stoop, walk, climb stairs or ladders, and run on occasion. Must exert physical force when necessary and don an air pack. Exposure to extreme noise levels, communicable diseases, inmate control devices, and toxic smoke may occur. Must work overtime, weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, evenings, and nights.

Applicants must complete all sections of the application; incomplete applications will be disqualified.

We will notify qualified applicants by email.