Corrections Officer - Somerset County Jail

at Somerset County Government in Skowhegan, Maine, United States

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY: 

This is a line staff level position, responsible to the Assistant Shift Commander of the Somerset County Jail.  The correctional officer ensures a quality direct supervision corrections facility by providing for the care, custody, and control of inmates. 

The correctional officer supervises inmates to ensure a safe and humane environment; handles inmate discipline fairly and effectively; responds to inmate requests in a fair and balanced fashion; builds positive rapport and personal credibility with inmates; supervises inmates in a clear, well-organized and attention getting manner; resolves inmate problems and conflicts; and maintains effective administration and staff relations.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

 Be committed to the missions of the Somerset County Jail and Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.

1. Be committed to the principles of direct supervision in all aspects of the work.
2. Work as a member of a team in the performance of duties.
3. Be punctual for scheduled work and use time appropriately.
4. Work in harmonious relationship with staff and community.
5. Perform duties in a conscientious, cooperative manner.
6. Perform required amount of work in a timely fashion with a minimum of errors.
7. Be neat and maintain a professional appearance.
8. Possess a valid Driver’s license.
9. Understand and work within Somerset County and the Somerset County Jail’s Polices and Procedures.
10. Assure quality in work performed in order to facilitate the delivery of quality services.
11. Accept shared responsibility with other team members to successfully accomplish goals of each team of which s/he is a member.
12. Maintain confidence and protect Somerset County by keeping information concerning inmates, clients and operations confidential.
13. Take direction in a professional manner from the correctional supervisors and administrative staff.

 KEY EXPECTED RESULTS:

1. Ensures a safe and secure facility by complying with policies, procedures, post orders, and training and by employing principles of direct supervision.
2. Employs time management techniques to effectively prioritize assigned tasks.
3. Ensures inmate’s court appearances by organizing, preparing inmates to be transported.
4. Meets cleanliness and hygiene expectations by supervising the cleaning, disinfecting of inmate quarters and providing necessary linen and supplies.
5. Takes emergency action when necessary by established emergency procedures and protocols.
6. Maximizes compliant inmate behavior and minimizes the occurrence of disruptive inmate behavior in the living unit by proactively supervising and clear communicating of the rules and expectations to inmates.
7. Responds to all incidents of inmate behavior immediately.
8. Responds fairly and effectively and within established parameters to inmates when disciplining them for disruptive behavior or rule violations.
9. Ensures inmates follow required behavior standards by supervising recreation, visiting, dining, education, work programs, treatment, social services, and other activities.
10. Meets all legal requirements by maintaining accurate logs on all significant activity in the housing unit.
11. Ensures the safety of staff and inmates by performing searches of inmates, rooms, and the entire facility to prevent use of prohibited materials and seizes any contraband.
12. Responds to inmate requests in a fair and balanced manner and avoids inmate manipulation.
13. Creates an environment of mutual respect between the inmate and officer by demonstrating fairness, consistency, and responding in a courteous manner.
14. Demonstrates effective skill in organizing, supervising, and motivating inmates in their activities.
15. Provides guidance and leadership in the resolution of inmate problems by recognizing the steps involved in conflict resolution and dealing with confrontational situation.
16. Provides for inmate’s needs by organizing, sorting, transporting, delivering, and collecting mail.
17. Assists staff by working in specialized skill areas as trained and assigned.
18. Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending pre-service and in-service training as required. .
19. Contributes to the team effort by accomplishing related results as needed by having knowledge of and consistently applying facility rules and procedures, coordinates activities with co-workers, supports the authority of staff members and regularly and effectively communicates with supervisors and other administrators.
20. Supports the Authority’s safety and health policies by attending required safety training programs, reporting all accidents and suspected safety hazards.
21. Participates as an active member in training, on task forces and performing other related duties as required by the Correctional Administrator.
22. Performs any and all other related duties as assigned.

 PHYSICAL STANDARDS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by the incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to meet these physical standards.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk and talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to bend, lift, push, pull, use hands to finger a standard computer keyboard, use a computer and touch screen devices, telephone, radio and protective devices.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job require close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Employee is required to operate a motor vehicle or other vehicle or equipment. Employee will frequently come in contact with inmates and must possess sufficient physical dexterity to employ necessary and lawful non-deadly physical force to address inmate resistance.

If authorized to use a firearm, must receive training and qualify in its use annually.  If authorized to use chemical agents, must receive training in their use and handling as required.  If authorized to use electronic equipment, must receive training in their use and handling as required.

Somerset County Government prohibits the use of all illicit substances as prescribed by Federal Law, including marijuana and its derivatives.

EXPERIENCE:

• Two (2) years post-secondary education or employment.