Corrections Officer- Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC)

Position Summary & Duties Responsible

• POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of a higher level supervisor, responsible for maintaining custody and control of inmates in the metropolitan detention/corrections system; for enforcing laws and departmental regulations that apply to detention corrections, and a variety of other duties related to assigned areas of responsibilities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SUMMARY

• Assist in the searching, booking, fingerprinting and photographing of inmates, and other procedures that are involved in the initial processing of inmates.
• Coordinate arrangements for bond, legal representation and for personal assistance for inmates; schedule court appearances.
• Maintain order and report unusual conditions, policy violations, disturbances or indication of potential disorder to superiors.
• Patrol designated areas of the detention facility, control traffic to and from assigned areas, maintain security and inspect facility to ensure the safety and security of inmates, take periodic resident counts in the detention levels, work details, and other inmate holding areas; account for inmates under his/her supervision.
• Provide or arrange for personal grooming of inmates and supervise sanitation practices.
• Administer emergency first aid if necessary; refer inmates to medical assistant; psychiatric service unit and/or counselors.
• Participate in fire and safety drills, lockdown incidents and related emergency situations.
• Participate in the discharge process of inmates, issuance of clothing and transportation arrangements.
• May be required to transport inmates, and to supervise inmate work details and community custody programs.
• Maintain logs and write reports as required by policy and standard operating procedures.
• Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.

• The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required of all employees assigned to this job.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED; OR have met the requirements of the MDC Lateral Entry Program, plus one (1) year experience in the field of corrections or law enforcement is desirable.
• Employee must have a valid New Mexico driver's license and maintain a valid NM driver's license while employed in this position. Candidates with a valid out-of-state driver's license must obtain a New Mexico driver's license within 30 days of hire.
• Employee must be 18 years of age or older by the start of the Corrections Officer Training Academy– there is no upper age limit.
• Employee must be a United States Citizen or a permanent resident and must provide an Alien Registration number.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA'S)

• Preferred knowledge of and the experience in the operations, services and activities of a corrections and detention program.
• Preferred knowledge of the principles and practices of the criminal justice system, law enforcement, modern booking procedures, corrections and detention theory and practice.
• Preferred knowledge of correctional institution security and inmate security practices, occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
• Preferred knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local codes, laws, and regulations and the ability to interpret and apply them.
• Preferred able to apply knowledge of laws, regulations and procedures concerning safety, security and corrections operations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA'S)

• Skill in performing basic computer functions.
• May require skills in the use and care of weapons, including firearms.
• Ability to develop skills in restraint and self-defense tactics.
• Ability to develop skills in the techniques of obtaining information through interrogation, investigations, and corrections observation.
• Ability to apply first aid, CPR and related emergency practices and techniques.
• Ability to analyze hazardous situations in a rational, mature and confident manner to act effectively; to remain calm and effective under stressful situations.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise administrative reports.
• Ability to read, interpret, enforce, apply and explain corrections laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively and professionally with superiors, other officers, department personnel and the general public.

Supplemental Information

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants successfully completing the background and interview requirements will then be scheduled to attend and must pass a written and oral psychological examination, drug screen and physical examination.
• Employee must meet the minimum vision and hearing standards as identified in the medical screening form for Corrections Officers.
• Vision acuity may not be worse that 20/30 (corrected) or 20/200 (uncorrected) in either eye and must pass the following vision screening for Correction Officers.
• Must be able to quickly distinguish visual between the colors red and green, without errors, when viewing ¼ diameter LED indicator light on a control panel or a ¾ inch square icon on a computer monitor.
• Must be able to quickly distinguish visually between the colors red and yellow, when viewing a 1" of ½" cylinder key-ring marker using the Ishihara testing.
• Must be able to quickly distinguish visually without errors between red, orange, blue, white and yellow inmate uniforms.
• Must be able to identify inmate classification by looking at color coded uniforms (red, orange, blue, yellow, white).
• The average hearing level (HL) at the test frequencies 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz will not exceed 25 dB in either ear, aided or unaided and no single hearing level will exceed 30 dB at any of these test frequencies in either ear, aided or unaided. Hearing loss at 3000 Hz will not exceed 40 dB HL in either ear aided or unaided.
• Employee must comply with Bernalillo County safety guidelines.
• Employee must pass the physical agility test and maintain a fitness for duty status by testing yearly.
• Successful completion of the Corrections Department probationary period and MDC Training Academy.
• Successful applicants completing all the requirements described above may be notified by Bernalillo County of an official offer of employment. If accepted, the applicant will be hired as a County employee and scheduled into the next available Cadet Training Academy. Upon completion of the 10 week training program, graduating cadets will receive post orders and begin service for Bernalillo County Corrections.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Shift work is required.
• The majority of essential duties are performed indoors in a temperature-controlled environment.
• Outdoor duties are sometimes required in performance of essential duties and worker is exposed to natural weather conditions while performing outdoor duties.
• Worker may be exposed to intermittent noise and vibration, a variety of fumes and odors, contagious diseases and potentially hostile and dangerous situations.
• Indoor working surface is even and may be carpeted or tiled.
• Indoor surfaces are typically dry and may involve the use of stairs.
• Outdoor surface may be even or uneven and may be wet or dry.
• Outdoor duties may involve the use of stairs or ladders and may be performed on inclines or hills.
• Outdoor surfaces may include natural ground, asphalt, or concrete.
• Worker may perform duties with or without directions from a supervisor.
• Worker may perform duties alone, or as part of a select team.
• Work hazards include high stress level of job, operation of a vehicle.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS AND MATERIALS

• Equipment typically used to perform administrative duties include the telephone, computer, telefax machine, typewriter, photocopy machine, pager and two-way radio.
• Utilizes security equipment, restraint equipment, and mace as necessary, and weapons based on assignment.
• Utilizes first aid equipment, oxygen, fire extinguishers and other safety equipment on an as needed basis.
• Operates a county vehicle as assigned.
• Materials and products typically handled in the performance of administrative duties include a wide variety of forms and paperwork, reports, various writing utensils and a wide assortment of other basic office supplies and materials.

Other

COUNTY OF BERNALILLO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Health Benefits: Medical
Dental
Vision
Supplemental: Life Insurance
Aflac
Deferred Compensation
Pre-Paid Legal
Flexible Spending Account
Long/Short Term Disability
Fringe Benefits: Retirement Plan
Holiday Leave
Personal Holiday Leave
Annual Leave
Sick Leave
Employee Assistance Plan

For additional benefit information go to:https://www.bernco.gov/Human-resources/benefits-wellness.aspx