3291 - Corrections Officer (Trainee)

Overall Job Objective

Position Description

There are multiple positions, with rotating shifts and rotating days**, in the Corrections Bureau of the Pima County Sheriff's Department.  THIS IS A TESTED POSITION. OPEN UNTIL FILLED. 

Please note, this is an open and continuous position and we will be pulling applications at the beginning of each month. Physical Fitness Assessment AND Multiple Choice Exams will be conducted monthly. 

Salary Grade: G1

Salary during Trainee period is $19.32/hourly.
Starting salary after successful completion of Trainee (12 months) period is $21.50/hourly.

**This division operates 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.  All positions are required to engage in inmate contact, to work rotating shifts which include days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, and to work an assigned post that can be rotated/reassigned at management's discretion.

Preference given to current Pima County employees.

Duties/Responsibilities

(Work assignments may vary depending on the department's needs and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.)
 
Maintains security of assigned facility, work detail or inmate program by observing and controlling inmate behavior, enforcing discipline and reporting observations;
Inspects the living conditions within the housing units for compliance with sanitation objectives;
Conducts checks of inmate housing and cell searches for inmate census and detection of contraband;
Controls, operates and inspects life safety equipment, electronic safety and surveillance equipment, and door control systems;
Monitors visitors entering and exiting the facility;
Performs booking, fingerprinting, identification and records maintenance procedures;
Participates in evacuation procedures and maintains security in emergency situations;
Provides information to inmates and the public regarding Corrections Bureau rules and regulations;
Maintains security of prisoners transported to the holding area within the Superior Court building, and provides a safe environment for courtrooms and surrounding areas;
Escorts inmates within the jail;
Provides transport service and security of inmates to various locations within the State of Arizona;
Physically restrains inmates with handcuffs, leg irons and other appropriate restraint devices as needed;
Carries and safely employs department approved and issued firearms and other defensive weapons when so directed;
Wears, carries, uses and maintains respirators, protective masks and other personal safety equipment;
Testifies in court proceedings;
Assists in developing and implementing inmate care plans and serves as an advocate on behalf of the inmate to coordinate services and information with family members and community agencies;
Interprets court documents to determine inmate status;
Investigates inmate grievances, make recommendations and documents resolutions;
Conducts administrative and disciplinary hearings, advises inmates of their status, rights, appeal mechanisms and final determination of disposition of in-house charges;
Maintains appropriate security and confidentiality of all information and materials encountered in performance of duties;
Assists in updating policies, operational procedures, programs and statistical data;
Provides information and tours for outside agencies and authorized visitors;
Conducts orientation of new inmates to determine custody level, risk factor, work release status, intellectual abilities and initial assessment for special needs;
Coordinates inmate participation in individual and group counseling for substance abuse, communicable diseases, behavior modification, stress of incarceration, work-release programs and special needs;
Coordinates correctional treatment services for inmates in assigned facility by evaluating, counseling and making referrals;
Coordinates, monitors and oversees the activities in work-release programs;
Prepares lesson plans, instructs corrections officers, coordinates corrections training programs and assists units with in-service training;
Coordinates inmate access to Corrections Bureau resources and programs as well as community-level resources, verifies delivery of service and follows inmate progress on a continuing basis;
 May serve in specialized assignments, e.g., member of a tactical assistance group, as a fire-life safety officer, etc.
 
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
 
Knowledge of:

• principles and techniques of effective interpersonal communications;
• spoken and written English language;
• criminal justice system;
• rules, regulations, procedures and policies of the Pima County Sheriff's Department and Corrections Bureau;
• Corrections Bureau resources, programs and community-level resources and organizations;
• security practices and procedures used in a direct supervision jail;
• varied social, economic and cultural backgrounds;
• report preparation, record keeping and report writing;
• legal rights and obligations of corrections inmates;
• safe and lawful handling and use of department approved and issued firearms and defensive weapons;
• effects of incarceration on inmate's social and emotional functioning, and the effects on inmate families and other affected parties;
• methods and objectives of social work, mental health treatment practices and serving as an advocate;
• principles and techniques of crisis intervention.

 Skill in:

• maintaining security, control and custody of inmates in an assigned facility;
• responding to emergency situations quickly, calmly and decisively;
• observing situations recalling facts;
• interviewing inmates and investigating their claims, allegations and grievances;
• developing treatment programs, goals and objectives;
• evaluating inmate needs and making appropriate recommendations to include observing, identifying and screening inmates for medical and psychological problems;
• developing treatment programs, goals and objectives;
• interacting with people of varied social, economic and cultural backgrounds;
• communicating effectively, both orally and in writing;
• establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with others;
• listening effectively;
• maintaining records and preparing reports;
• performing defensive tactics which require quick reflexes, agility, coordination and strength;
• safe and lawful use of department approved and issued firearms and defensive weapons;
• use and maintenance of respirators, protective masks and personal protective equipment;
• performing tasks requiring manual dexterity;
• identifying normal and abnormal behavior patterns.

 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
 
Ability to:

• engage in inmate contact, rotate shifts and rotate posts;
• react to physical confrontations and emergency situations quickly and effectively;
• stand and sit for long periods of time;
• bend, reach, kneel and crouch;
• climb up and down stairs and ladders with speed and agility;
• qualify with and safely use department approved and issued equipment;
• wear required uniform articles and protective equipment for extended periods of time;
• wear and use respirators, protective masks and related personal protective equipment;
• work in confined spaces for prolonged periods;
• see clearly and recall visual details;
• hear and understand speech and radio transmissions;
• lift up to 50 pounds;
• drag up to 175 pounds for 60 yards;
• perform multiple physical tasks simultaneously;
• drive vehicles including automobiles and vans;
• speak clearly.

Minimum Qualifications

At the time of appointment, applicants must hold a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) Certificate, and must be at least 18 years of age.

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application.  Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Additional Information: THIS IS A TESTED POSITION. Email notifications will be sent out to all candidates that submit a completed application. Candidates will receive an information packet detailing the steps of the hiring process. The test dates are as follows:

• Monthly - TBD: Physical Fitness Assessment AND Multiple Choice Exam. The Physical Fitness Assessment will be administered first. All candidates that pass this assessment will continue to the Multiple Choice Exam.(Time TBD - Human Resources will notify eligible candidates to schedule for the physical fitness assessment.)
• Monthly - TBD: Oral Board Interviews. (Exact dates and times TBD and will be scheduled by the Sheriff's Department.)
• Monthly - TBD: Polygraphs, background investigations, psychological test, etc. (The Sheriff's Department will notify eligible candidates regarding dates, times and locations.)
• January 2021 - Corrections Officer Training Academies will be scheduled based on staffing levels and hiring needs.
•  

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum/desired qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience.  Candidates meeting the minimum/desired qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications.  The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process. Supplemental Information

Licenses and Certificates: Possession of a valid Arizona Class D driver license is required at the time of appointment. Some positions may require possession of a valid Arizona commercial driver license (CDL) with appropriate endorsements(s) at the time of appointment or prior to completion of an initial/promotional probation period. Current first aid and cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification (American Red Cross or equivalent) must be acquired prior to completion of initial training and must also be maintained as a condition of employment. Certification to wear and maintain respirators and protective masks and related personal protective equipment and department approved and issued firearms and defensive weapons as required by the appointing authority. Failure to obtain/maintain the required licensure, certification or registration shall be grounds for termination.
 
Special Notice Items: Department of Labor Regulation CFR Part 1910.1030 requires notification that this category may have a high risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens.  Hepatitis B vaccine, and personal protective training and equipment will be provided.  All positions require satisfactory completion of a background investigation due to the need for access to law enforcement, corrections and courts facilities, property, communications and associated confidential information and documents, databases and evidentiary materials.  Pre-/post-appointment drug screening and polygraph examinations are required of all positions due to the need for access as described above. All positions are required to engage in inmate contact, to work rotating shifts which include days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, and to work an assigned post that can be rotated/reassigned at management's discretion.