Job Specifications

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

Under direction, supervises the activities of staff in a correctional facility; insures inmate safety and security; coordinates inmate programs; assists a Lieutenant in managing a detention facility; and performs other work as required.

Correctional Sergeant is the second supervisory level in the Sheriff's Correctional Officer series. Incumbents have responsibility for all shifts on assigned days, in minimum, medium, and maximum-security facilities. This class differs from the class of Sheriff's Sergeant, which has peace officer powers and rotates between assignments in Detention, Patrol, Investigations and other areas. This class differs from the class of Supervising Correctional Officer in that the latter is a first level, working supervisor that interacts directly with inmates on an assigned shift and is not responsible for overseeing a detention facility.

Supervise the staff and activities in a security detention facility which houses unsentenced and sentenced inmates; maintain facility security through regular inspections to insure compliance with governing regulations and standards relating to facility maintenance and health and safety of inmates; maintain established staffing levels by arranging staff work schedules, shift coverage, and overtime approval; insure that detention staff are fully trained and that proper conduct, actions and procedures are followed; review written reports prepared by Supervising Detention Officers; evaluate the work performance of detention facility staff; handle a variety of employee problems such as discipline, grievances and time off requests; supervise the screening and classifying of inmates; assist in the development, implementation and monitoring of programs to modify inmates' attitudes and behaviors, such as vocational and academic education; act as a liaison with medical staff for resolving inmate health care concerns; coordinate and act as a liaison with inmate self-help programs, such as alcohol and drug treatment programs; investigate a variety of inmate involved incidents, violations of policies, irregular or suspicious occurrences, and take or recommend inmate discipline as appropriate; confer with Sheriff's Lieutenant on the status of activities in the facility; assist in developing, organizing, directing and evaluating the effectiveness of a correctional program.

• Rules, regulations, practices and procedures involved in the daily operations and control of a detention facility.
• Criminal attitudes, behavior problems, and the social factors influencing criminal behavior.
• Disciplinary procedures and techniques appropriate for persons under criminal confinement.
• Inmate classification systems.

• Principles of supervision and training.

• Organize, coordinate and direct the activities of a detention facility.
• Assign, supervise, train and evaluate the work of subordinate staff.
• Read, understand, interpret, apply and enforce office policies and regulations with firmness, impartiality and tact.
• Analyze problems effectively and use good judgment in making decisions.
• Take appropriate actions in emergency or stressful situations.
• Communicate effectively with a wide variety of people.
• Walk for up to twelve hours at a time.
• Lift 55 pounds from floor level, such as assisting to lift an unconscious inmate.
• Bend and stoop for extensive periods of time, such as intake searches.
• Learn defense and restraint tactics.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Prepare clear, concise and accurate statistical and narrative reports.
• Distinguish colors, such as warning lights.
• Restrain 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 that demonstrates possession of the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. test (required) and one year of experience as a Supervising Correctional Officer in the County of Santa Cruz.

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

Background Investigation: Ability to pass a full background investigation.

Special Working Conditions: Exposure to: angry or hostile inmates; infections which may cause chronic disease or death; high noise levels; heights of up to 40 feet, such as perimeter of main jail; bodily injuries; offensive odors; dust and pollens; ionizing radiation.

Other Special Requirements: Availability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, 12-hour shifts, and on an emergency, as needed basis.

PREVIOUS CLASS TITLES: Detention Sergeant

Bargaining Unit: 50

EEOC Job Category: 04

Occupational Grouping: 62

Worker's Comp Code: 1073