Law Enforcement Officer II / SERGEANT

State of South Carolina•Richland County, SC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Law Enforcement Officer II – Sergeant works in a hospital setting at Williams S. Hall, Transport, and G.W. Bryan Psychiatric Hospital, within the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD), Office of Mental Health (OMH), Public Safety Division. The work location is 7901 Farrow Road, Columbia, SC 29203. The Sergeant plans, organizes, and assists the Lieutenant with enforcement of state laws, rules, regulations, and agency policies and procedures. The role supervises shift personnel and coordinates public safety operations, transportation, investigations, inspections, training, and compliance activities. The position requires professional interaction with facility staff, patients, visitors, administrators, and Public Safety management, as well as the ability to respond to changing situations and disturbances.

Requirements

High school diploma.
Experience performing patrol or investigative duties with a public law enforcement agency; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for the required law enforcement experience.
Class I certification through the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in accordance with South Carolina Code of Laws Section 23-23-40.
Two years of law enforcement experience.
Knowledge of state laws, agency regulations, and facility rules and requirements; post-hire requirement.
Ability to establish and maintain satisfactory professional relationships with staff, patients, and visitors; post-hire requirement.
Ability to adjust to fluctuating situations and disturbances while enforcing rules and regulations; post-hire requirement.
Ability to work fluctuating hours; post-hire requirement.
Considerable knowledge of South Carolina laws and the rules and regulations of the South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities; post-hire requirement.
Must complete MANDT and/or MAPS; post-hire requirement.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual ability in English and Spanish, or another language.

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, and assist the Lieutenant in enforcing state laws, rules, regulations, and BHDD-OMH policies and procedures.
Supervise shift personnel and prepare shift schedules.
Assist in planning and arranging client transportation throughout the city and state; ensure transports comply with policy.
Monitor overtime hours and analyze reports and logs submitted by subordinates.
Ensure contractual agreements in the responsible area are met and complete supporting documentation.
Review officers’ reports concerning patient abuse, employee misconduct, missing or stolen property, visitor complaints, deaths, suicide attempts, and altercations resulting in injuries to patients, staff, or visitors.
Interview suspects, victims, and witnesses to gather information for investigations or administrative proceedings.
Prepare detailed reports, including diagrams and photographs when appropriate.
Ensure compliance with applicable CALEA standards in assigned sections and thoroughly review incident reports as the appropriate supervisor.
Conduct periodic inspections of section facilities and Public Safety personnel.
Ensure officers receive annual or remedial training and weapon qualification; remain alert to suspicious or unusual individuals entering OMH grounds.
Coordinate required recertification through the Criminal Justice Academy, Power OMS, and/or Path Lore through the manager.
Attend job-related courses.
Evaluate subordinate performance through EPMS and ensure evaluations are completed according to policy.
Participate in the FTO program as directed by management.
Maintain effective communication with facility administrators and Public Safety management.
Coordinate and supervise officers conducting surveillance of BHDD-OMH properties, checking doors, windows, and fences, and conducting policy-compliant searches of patients, employees, and visitors.
Supervise officers enforcing criminal laws and exercising arrest powers as needed.
Conduct searches of patients, employees, visitors, and vehicles according to policy.

Benefits

Health insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
Dental insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
Vision insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
Long-term disability insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
Life insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
15 days of annual (vacation) leave per year.
15 days of sick leave per year.
13 paid holidays.
Paid parental leave.
S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available.
Retirement benefit choices: State Retirement Plan (SCRS) or State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP); enrollment in one listed plan is required for FTE employees.