Detention Officer

Santa Fe County•Santa Fe, NM

21d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Detention Officer supervises the SF Adult Detention Center and is accountable for the safety and well-being of inmates, as well as the safety of employees and citizens at the facility. The role involves receiving and processing inmates, maintaining facility security and sanitation, monitoring inmate well-being, supporting medical and court-related activities, and documenting incidents. Officers may be assigned to areas including property, transportation, recreation, escort, roving, the visiting room, booking, main control, housing, segregation, and intake. The position is performed in an adult detention center, in both office and outdoor settings and in varied weather conditions. Schedules include shifts, evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call hours. The work may involve confrontational behavior, strenuous physical exertion, and exposure to a range of occupational hazards. Essential employees must work assigned shifts regardless of adverse weather or holidays.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Successfully complete the Detention Officer Academy sponsored by the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility within six months of hire.
Write legible reports in English using correct grammar.
Perform basic arithmetic, including calculating percentages.
Effectively interact with others, express thoughts logically, communicate verbally, and react quickly and appropriately in emergency situations.
Computer literacy.
Possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Class D Driver’s License.
Pass a County-paid pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol screening.
Pass a County-paid criminal background screening.
Ability to deal effectively and therapeutically with dysfunctional behavior and respond reflexively to argumentative or confrontational behavior.
Meet the physical demands of the role, including frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, lifting, and dragging; occasional buddy lifting or use of a device to move detainees; and assisting disabled individuals with showering or other personal needs.

Responsibilities

Receive, search, and fingerprint arriving inmates; issue facility uniforms and classify inmate housing.
Confirm, clear, and send warrant locates according to policy.
Prepare and escort inmates for transport, including to medical appointments and court; monitor inmates in court and take court-committed defendants into custody when required.
Prepare food trays and feed inmates.
Maintain sanitary standards and ensure janitorial functions are performed throughout the facility.
Monitor inmate well-being, summon medical aid, communicate with medical staff, and assist with dispensing medication according to medical instructions.
Patrol and secure designated facility areas and control traffic to and from specific areas.
Prepare incident reports, conduct periodic cell searches, enforce jail rules and regulations, and confiscate contraband.
Pick up and inspect mail before distributing it to inmates; document incidents and place items into evidence.
Monitor inmates directly and through an indirect video monitoring system.
Access computer system information, retrieve and assess records, and prepare records for court.
Maintain and update the jail counter, answer questions in person and by telephone, and document citizen complaints using applicable departmental procedures.
Perform assigned duties in areas such as property, transportation, recreation, escort, roving, visiting room, booking, main control, housing, segregation, and intake.