Detention Officer (Shiftwork Required - Nights, Weekends, Holidays)

City of Fort Lauderdale•Fl 33312, FL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Performs security duties by maintaining order and providing care, control, and custody of prisoners in the Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s Detention Facility. Work is performed under the immediate supervision of a Detention Corporal and follows established security procedures, department regulations, and applicable city, county, and state laws. The position is subject to the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Fort Lauderdale and Teamsters Local Union 769 and is open to both internal and external applicants. Employees maintain the safety and security of detainees, the public, and law enforcement and detention personnel. Duties include receiving and searching prisoners, arranging intake and cell assignments, following booking and release procedures, maintaining prisoner counts and records, and responding to instructions and incidents. The role also involves transporting detainees in an agency vehicle; employees are armed when transporting arrestees. Officers may assist during events, critical incidents, or emergencies and must be available for shifts that support the unit’s 24/7 mission. This position requires successful completion of applicable Florida law-enforcement and corrections certification requirements, background screening, and physical agility testing. The work involves heavy physical demands and potential exposure to disagreeable environmental conditions, chemical agents, airborne pathogens, violence, and weapons. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
Be a U.S. citizen, U.S.-born or naturalized.
No felony conviction or misdemeanor conviction involving perjury or a false statement, and no dishonorable discharge from any U.S. Armed Forces branch.
Successfully complete FDLE Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission certification or equivalent from an accredited academy and meet applicable minimum training and standards.
Possess or be able to obtain State Corrections Officer Certification in compliance with Florida Statutes 943.1395.
Possess or be able to obtain and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license within 30 days of employment.
Successfully complete a background investigation, including polygraph and psychological examination.
Successfully complete the required Physical Agility Test (PAT) before hire; proof is not required with the application for out-of-area applicants.
Non-certified applicants must provide a passing Basic Abilities Test – Correctional Officer (BATCO) score; out-of-state applicants may complete the test before hire rather than submitting proof with the application.
Be able and willing to work a flexible shift, including nights, weekends, holidays, and during a state of emergency, and be available for assigned shifts.
Meet the physical demands of the position, including maintaining the conditioning, fitness, and endurance needed for the duties.
Submit required application documents, including valid driver’s license or government-issued photo ID or birth/naturalization documents; current driver’s license history from every state where a license was held, acquired no earlier than 30 days before application; applicable certification documents; and, if claiming Veterans’ Preference, supporting documents.

Responsibilities

Maintain care, custody, and control of detainees and prisoners, taking appropriate action to protect their safety and the safety of the public and personnel.
Receive incoming prisoners and search them for concealed weapons and contraband.
Coordinate prisoner placement and cell assignments during intake.
Follow booking and release orders and procedures.
Maintain accurate prisoner counts and complete records, including entering current information into the computerized record system.
Secure detention facility keys and receive and follow status reports, incident reports, special instructions, and supervisory directions.
Operate an agency vehicle to transport detainees in accordance with agency policies and safe vehicle-operation laws.
Maintain awareness of surroundings and the environment to preserve life and property.
Control emotional reactions and impulses while managing difficult or dangerous situations.
Apply detention-facility operating procedures, including use of restraint devices and less-than-lethal force such as OC or a Taser for inmate control.
Operate a two-way radio using proper etiquette, dispatch codes, signals, and officer-safety techniques.
Assist with events, critical incidents, or emergencies when required.
Work assigned shifts, including days, nights, weekends, holidays, and during a state of emergency, as needed.
Perform related duties as required.