Jobs Detention Officer

Summary

The Pottawattamie County Jail is currently hiring for the position of Detention Officer. 

Our Jail does more than manage inmates, we care for people! We are seeking dedicated individuals to join our team. As a Detention Officer you will play a crucial role in maintaining safety and security within our Jail. Joining our team as a Detention Officer offers opportunities for career growth and development in the field of corrections. If you are looking for a career path that involves upholding safety and security while making a positive impact, we encourage you to apply! 

This position is full-time, working 12-hour shifts.
 
Detention Officers are responsible for maintaining the corrections facility, environment and inmates in a safe and secure manner.
 
HIRING PROCESS: After an application has been submitted and reviewed, information will be sent out detailing next steps, if chosen to progress in the process. The communication will include details about completing a Correctional Officer Pre-Employment Assessment and Virtual Interview. Please watch your email carefully during this time! If applicants consent to receive text messages during the application process, texts messages may be sent out as well.
 
Pottawattamie County partners with HRAvatar to provide the pre-employment assessment and virtual interview, allowing the entire assessment and initial interview to take place virtually.  No special plugins or capabilities are needed. Simply a computer or mobile device with a camera will do! The overall score weighs each of the factors based on research and analysis from the U.S. Government's Occupational Information Network (O*Net).

Hear from some of our dedicated Jail personnel who love the work they do!


Pottawattamie County offers employees a strong benefit plan at a reasonable cost. Our benefit offerings include health, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, and other voluntary benefits.
 
To highlight some of our amazing benefits:
 

• We offer a family plan at $233.28 per month cost to the employee, with an additional $30 savings if the employee participates in the wellness program.
• $1,500 family deductible
• 100% employer paid long-term disability coverage
• premium free single dental coverage
• generous paid time off; sick leave and vacation leave
• IPERS retirement; Unlike benefits from other retirement plans, IPERS benefits aren’t tied to the performance of the stock market. With IPERS, you don’t need to make complicated investment decisions for your retirement dreams to become a reality.

View the full Pottawattamie County Benefits Guide here.
 
All applicants will be notified of their status throughout the hiring process.  Selected applicants will be subject to pre-employment in-person interviews and/or screenings.
 
 If you are a veteran and qualify for veteran's preference points, you will be required to provide a copy of your DD-214.  You may attach your DD-214 to your application.

Essential Functions

Supervise and control inmate behavior in the correction facility through the use of direct contact, surveillance devices, patrolling and inspections of persons and areas.

Direct inmates while they are moving through the facility, monitoring actions and approving entry or exit.

Search inmates' persons, clothing, living areas and other facility area for weapons or contraband.

Enforce procedures for secure areas to maintain general security of the correction facility.

Transport inmates safely and securely while outside the facility.

Maintain fire safety, respond to emergency situations and review emergency procedures to be initiated in case of fire, escape, disaster or riot.

Carry a handgun while guarding inmates outside the correction facility and be responsible for cleaning and inspecting a handgun.

Follow established procedures to record, admit and release inmates into and from the correction facility.

Perform medical support services including administering medication, and supervising inmates during such care, investigating inmate injuries and determining necessity of emergency medical treatment, and applying first aid as needed.

Enforce inmate procedures and rules concerning such areas as mail, telephone, access to courts and visitation.

Review, investigate and enforce inmate discipline.

Provide interpersonal and human relations skills to ensure health and welfare of inmates.

Serve food and supervise cleanup as needed.

Establish, maintain and update inmate records, accounts and files, including inventorying and securing inmate personal property.

Provide court-related records and legal testimony as requested.

Conduct and participate in employee orientation, training and communications.

Operate and maintain equipment, tools and devices related to corrections operations (i.e. corrections vehicle, photographic camera, cell doors, fire equipment, computer).

Maintain facility upkeep and maintenance and report mechanical failures.

Periodically count inmates, determine their location and record inmate location lists.

Classify inmates; assign to housing areas, review arrest records.

Investigate, record and report inmate grievances and explain procedures to inmates.

Supervise and arrange inmate activities such as counseling, social services, recreation, religious services and library use.

Direct and control inmate work program.

Conduct inmate support activities and notify inmates concerning daily s

Essential Knowledge, Experience, and Ability

Knowledge of and experience in using a standard keyboard for typing or data entry.

Knowledge of the basic principles of mathematics and the ability to post simple accounts according to established procedures.

Ability to understand and follow specific oral and written instructions.

Ability to retain composure when dealing with violent or hostile inmates.

Ability to deal courteously and tactfully with the general public, inmates, government officials, law enforcement agencies and fellow employees.

Essential Education, Certification, and/or Licenses

Graduation from an accredited high school or successful completion of the high school GED test.

Must possess a valid driver's license at the time of hire.

Must be certified as mandated by the Sheriff's Office within twelve months of the date of hire.

Detention Officers are required to perform physical activities to support the control and supervision of inmates, including but not limited to the following:

• ability to lift up to 100 pounds
• subdue combative inmates
• operate restraint devices
• walk and stand continuously
• mop and sweep floors

While performing these duties, the incumbent is required to talk, hear, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects or controls.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision correctable to 20/30 peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Detention Officers are often placed in a position of physical and mental stress.