Description:
To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Tippecanoe County provides reasonable accommodation to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would present an undue hardship.
Incumbent serves as Correctional Officer for the County Community Corrections Work Release program, responsible for supervising daily activities of participants and ensuring compliance with program rules and regulations.
DUTIES:
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Supervises and directs Community Corrections Work Release program operations, including scheduling/verifying work and other leave from the facility, orienting new participants, maintaining detailed records, providing participants with meals, and distributing medication.
- Maintains logs of activities performed and prepares reports as required. Ensures compliance with facility rules, regulations, records, and reports inappropriate behavior to appropriate Department personnel.
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Performs intake procedures of participants, including entering required information in computer, receiving and receipting money and personal property, and ensuring participants are changed into proper uniform and searched for weapons and other contraband.
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Conducts random strip searches, pat downs, and body scanner searches upon participants’ return to facility.
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Monitors participants for compliance with rules and regulations, and special conditions, including preparing rule violation and disciplinary action reports, conducting revocation hearings, and oral/urine drug screens. Submits drug screen samples to testing company and completes required forms.
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Teaches Evidence Based classes to program participants.
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Inspects living quarters of program participants for cleanliness and contraband and prepares written report of findings. Distributes personal items as needed, and launders bedding upon change out.
- Maintains interior and exterior security of facility, including conducting rounds and monitoring surveillance cameras, door controls, meals, and visitors. Maintains accurate counts of all participants. .
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Responds to inquiries and maintains communication with employers, victims, and victims’ families.
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Answers telephone and greets visitors, providing information and assistance, taking messages or directing to appropriate individual or department.
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Receipts payments from participants for fees, meals, and phone cards.
- Remains current on education and best practices in the correctional field, including utilizing effective communication and motivational strategies when communicating with program participants. Completes a minimum of forty (40) hours of continuing education and required training annually.
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Performs related duties as assigned.
Requirements:
I. JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFICULTY OF WORK:
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High school diploma or GED. Two (2) years’ experience in criminal justice or degree in related field preferred.
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Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain required certifications, such as First Responder/CPR, Taser, OC spray, and Evidence Based certification.
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Working knowledge of policy and procedures and basic understanding of assigned Community Corrections programs.
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Working knowledge of and ability to follow and make practical application of customary practices, procedures, rules, regulations and personnel policies of the Department.
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Working knowledge of, with ability to teach Evidence Based classes to program participants after obtaining appropriate certifications.
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Working knowledge of legal requirements and standard policies, practices, and general operations of the facility, with ability to apply appropriate procedures to ongoing operations.
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Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare required forms, correspondence, and reports within Department deadlines.
- Working knowledge of and ability to properly use all assigned Department uniforms and/or equipment, including computer, printer, calculator, metal detector, body scanner, mechanical hand restraints, breathalyzer, camera, intercom system, radio, telephone, surveillance/monitoring and video cameras, and electric locking devices.
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Ability to meet all Department hiring and retention requirements, including not posing a direct threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace.
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Ability to protect oneself from infectious diseases by avoiding high-risk environments and by having knowledge of and utilizing universal health precautions.
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Ability to deal swiftly, rationally, and decisively with potentially violent individuals in precarious situations, and take authoritative action applying appropriate discretion and common sense.
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Ability to physically perform the essential duties of the position, including but not limited to sitting and walking at will, walking/standing/sitting for long periods, lifting objects weighing more than 50 pounds, crouching/kneeling, bending at waist, reaching, handling/ grasping/fingering objects, close and far vision, hearing sound/communication, speaking clearly, physically restraining participants during emergency situations, and training in defensive tactics for up to 4 hours at a time.
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Ability to appropriately receive, secure, and account for articles received in evidence and participants’ personal belongings and monies.
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Ability to effectively work and communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, various law enforcement agencies, court personnel, employment staffing companies, program participants and their families, and the public including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.
- Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information and records according to state requirements.
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Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
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Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carryout written or oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form.
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Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment.
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Ability to occasionally work evening, weekend, irregular and/or extended hours.
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Possession of a valid driver’s license and demonstrated safe driving record.
II. RESPONSIBILITY:
Incumbent performs recurring duties according to well-established Department policies and procedures, with priorities primarily determined by supervisor. Incumbent selects applicable methods to take authoritative action in response to situational demands. Incumbent’s work frequently involves non-routine problem-solving to gain cooperation of law offenders in situations that may jeopardize the safety of the public and/or incumbent. Incumbent’s work is primarily reviewed through direct observation by supervisor for compliance with Department policies and procedures. Errors in decisions or work are usually prevented through procedural safeguards, and detected by supervisory review, and may lead to endangerment of self and/or others.
III. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:
Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, various law enforcement agencies, court personnel, employment staffing companies, program participants and their families, and the public for a variety of purposes, including exchanging information, explaining policies and procedures, and supervising participants.
Incumbent reports directly to Head Corrections Officer.
IV. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Incumbent performs duties in a detention facility and in the field, involving sitting/walking at will, walking/standing and/or sitting for long periods, lifting/carrying objects weighing more than 50 pounds, crouching/kneeling, bending at waist, reaching, handling/grasping/fingering objects, close and far vision, speaking clearly, and hearing sounds/communication. No prolonged extreme physical demands are associated with normal duties or assignments. Incumbent is frequently exposed to the hazards associated with jail operations, such as communicable diseases and potentially dangerous, violent, and abusive program participants, and must respond swiftly, rationally, and decisively in the situation.
Incumbent occasionally works evening, weekend, irregular and/or extended hours.
