Job Specifications

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

Under general supervision, on an assigned shift, supervise and participate in the work of booking, guarding, supervising, transporting and releasing inmates in the County Detention Facilities; insure inmates safety and security; train correctional officers; and do other work as required.

Positions in this class function as the first line supervisor for a group of correctional officers. Incumbents are responsible for inmate safety and security and are expected to be emotionally stable and to handle emergency situations. Incumbents rotate assignments within the Detention Bureau, which operates on a twenty-four hour, seven-day a week basis. This class is distinguished from the class of Sheriff's Correctional Officer in that the latter is a non-supervisory class. This class differs from that of Deputy Sheriff in that positions in the latter perform fieldwork, and provide active law enforcement services, rotating periodically through patrol, investigation, and administration and court security assignments.

Supervise the work of correctional officers and other workers on an assigned shift in any functional area of the Detention Bureau as assigned; provide training for correctional officers and conduct performance evaluations; assure that inmates are safe and secure and that jail rules and regulations are implemented; coordinate and oversee the inmate booking function, which includes receiving, searching, fingerprinting and photographing inmates, inputting arrest and other information into a computer terminal, taking bail bonds and cash bail, setting court dates, making initial housing assignments, maintaining log records, and processing court papers; coordinate and oversee inmate housing areas which include inmate head and bed counts, inspection of inmates quarters for contraband, sanitary condition and orderliness, conducting clothing exchanges and commissary draws, distribution of meals to inmates, escorting inmates to visiting areas, to the law library, to the infirmary and other assigned activities, and overseeing the dispensing of medicine; administer first aid; make recommendations on inmate classification for housing, and in the determination of maximum or medium security housing assignments; conduct a head count at the beginning and at the end of the shift assignment and is responsible for accounting for every inmate; maintain inmate account records including accepting cash and checks; assure that new inmates are oriented to the rules and procedures of the detention facility; change duty assignments and replace absent subordinates as required; supervise the preparation and/or prepare a variety of written and computer inputted reports and records; investigate infraction of the rules and regulations and suspicious behavior, taking appropriate actions; brief oncoming shift concerning problems and activities; assist in evaluating subordinate staff; input, access and print data using a computer terminal; may provide vacation and other temporary relief for classes as required.

• Criminal attitudes, behavior problems, and the social factors influencing criminal behavior.
• Basic rules, regulations, practices and procedures as they relate to the daily operation and control of a detention facility.
• Disciplinary procedures and techniques appropriate for persons under criminal confinement.
• Techniques of directing the activities of others.
• Inmate classification procedures.

• Principles and practices of supervision and training.
• Identification and presentation of physical evidence.

• Assign, supervise, train and evaluate the work of subordinate staff.
• Effectively control, direct and instruct inmates individually or in groups.
• Read, understand, interpret, apply and enforce departmental rules, policies and regulations with firmness, impartiality and tact.
• Speak and write effectively and give clear and understandable oral and written instructions.
• Operate a typewriter and a computer terminal.
• Make quick, effective, reasonable and responsible decisions in emergencies and take appropriate action.
• Recognize group behavior patterns, individual differences, and symptoms of emotional disturbance.
• Carry, lift and drag persons, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defend oneself against attack and restrain violent persons.
• Stand and walk for long periods of time.
• Complete detailed records and reports accurately.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Work under physical and mental stress.
• Wear a self-contained breathing apparatus.
• Learn defense and restraint tactics.
• Distinguish colors, such as warning lights.
• Lift 55 pounds from floor level, such as lifting an injured or ill inmate with the assistance of other correctional officers.
• Restraining combative inmates.
• See at near and far distances, such as reading booking sheets and observing inmates 40-50 feet away.
• Hear and distinguish a variety of sounds such as alarms and calls for assistance in a noisy environment.

Any combination of education and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Two years of experience as a Detention Officer in Santa Cruz County.

License/Requirements: Possession of a valid California class C driver license.

Background Investigation: Ability to pass a full background investigation.

Special Working Conditions: Exposure to: heights, such as 40 foot perimeter walls; microwaves; bees; pollen; loud noises; chemical irritants, such as strong offensive odors; infections which may cause chronic disease or death; hostile and aggressive persons.

Other Special Requirements: Available to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, nights, holidays and on an as needed basis.

PREVIOUS CLASS TITLES: Supervising Detention Officer

Bargaining Unit: 51

EEOC Job Category: 04

Occupational Grouping: 62

Workers' Comp Code: 1073

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